This Month
‘Rank hypocrisy’: Farrell under fire over Labor US appointment
Ex-politician Chris Ketter was appointed Australia’s consul-general in San Francisco in July, pushing out an experienced woman who was the “preferred candidate”.
- Tom McIlroy
- Exclusive
- Australia's China challenge
China demands steel deal as condition of ending wine tariffs
Ahead of Anthony Albanese’s planned visit to Beijing, Australia is reluctant to accept a deal that would have both sides abandon anti-dumping tariffs.
- Andrew Tillett
China says wine tariff hit could end within weeks
China’s ambassador is optimistic one of the remaining trade disputes could soon be resolved, as Australia renews its offer for a face-saving review.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- Energy
Japan and Australia pledge deeper ties on energy, climate
Japan’s trade and energy minister met three senior Labor ministers on Sunday to discuss the effect of Australia’s emissions rules on future LNG projects.
- Michael Smith, Elouise Fowler and Ronald Mizen
September
The 10 most covertly powerful people in Australia in 2023
Those who wield the most clout behind the scenes in the nation’s business and politics.
- Tom McIlroy
‘Don pulls strings’: Meet the Albanese government’s key powerbroker
Don Farrell might not be in the prime minister’s inner circle, but his tacit support is vital.
- Phillip Coorey
China tourists tipped to return to Australia as visa restrictions ease
Visa processing for the Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme, which makes it easier for Chinese tour groups to enter the country, resumed on Monday.
- Michael Smith
Libs wary of booby traps in campaign finance reform proposals
The Liberals say the rules must not enable Labor to use union money to gain an unfair advantage.
- Phillip Coorey
- Exclusive
- Federal election
PM move on campaign finance reform has teals worried
Independents suspect proposed campaign spending caps are designed to preserve the two-party system.
- Phillip Coorey
Albanese dodges on Qatar, defends Qantas stance
Anthony Albanese has sidestepped questions about whether he or his office provided advice to the transport minister to block Qatar Airways’ bid for additional flights into Australia.
- Ronald Mizen
August
If you want a deal come to Canberra: Farrell to EU
Sick of ceding home ground advantage, Trade Minister Don Farrell has invited his European Union counterpart to come to Australia to finalise a free trade pact.
- Andrew Tillett
Fresh push for EU, Indian trade pacts at G20
Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres will hold first high-level ministerial talks with European negotiators since stalemate emerged over EU free trade deal.
- Andrew Tillett
Factional friction: who to watch at Labor’s national conference
The biggest political meeting in Australia, this week’s meeting of ALP heavyweights is a carefully stage-managed affair.
- Tom McIlroy
PM hoses down internal unrest but AUKUS still simmers
The Albanese government has headed off internal Labor Party unrest over free trade, Israel and refugees at this week’s triennial National Conference but still faces blowback over AUKUS.
- Phillip Coorey
Washington go-ahead means Albanese to visit US twice before Christmas
The PM has at least four more trips abroad by the end of the year, all while having to juggle the referendum for an Indigenous Voice to parliament
- Phillip Coorey
Albanese flags Xi meeting ahead of Beijing visit
While relations are improving, Australian winemakers may have to wait until early next year for punitive tariffs to be lifted.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- Australia's China challenge
China could back down on barley tariffs within days
China is facing pressure on multiple fronts to lift punitive tariffs imposed as part of its campaign of economic coercion.
- Andrew Tillett and Michael Smith
July
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Labor delivers productivity that works
Too much effort goes into wish-list productivity reforms that would be electoral suicide or killed off by the Coalition. There are better ways.
- Craig Emerson
What wouldn’t Anthony Albanese do for Qantas?
Since its invention as a public company, Qantas has been a skilled prosecutor of whispering campaigns against its enemies foreign and domestic.
- Joe Aston
- Opinion
- Trade deals
Farrell was right to walk away from poor EU trade deal
Australian farmers applaud the trade minister for holding firm and only accepting an Australia-Europe free trade agreement that delivers worthwhile agricultural access.
- Tony Mahar
