Politics
Federal
Tanya Plibersek on her election shame: 'Doing my job as well as I can is the only way to atone'
Labor’s shadow minister for education and training shares the personal cost of politics, why she is culturally Catholic and the devastation she felt after the 2019 federal election.
- by Benjamin Law
Latest
Opinion
National security
Trump and China force Australia to secure its defence closer to home
Australia can no longer put all its faith in the US alliance as its best defence. It is turning to regional neighbours in what the Defence Minister calls "the most consequential realignment since World War II”.
- by Peter Hartcher
Updated
Wage scandal
Allan Fels says 7-Eleven's $173m wage theft bill should have been higher
Allan Fels, who headed 7-Eleven's repayment scheme, said the money the chain has paid back to underpaid workers represents only a fraction of the unpaid wages.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Bushfire royal commission
Australia must prepare for 'catastrophic' natural disasters amid rising threat from climate change
The royal commission into natural disasters calls for stronger peak agencies, better warning systems and faster military deployments.
- by David Crowe
Disability royal commission
Disability royal commission wants more time due to COVID and workload
The commissioner said the enormity of the inquiry meant they needed until September 2023 to complete the task.
- by Rachel Clun
Political expenses
Australia Post seeks legal advice on Christine Holgate's contract
Australia Post is seeking external legal advice on Christine Holgate's employment contract, amid a deepening fallout between the board and its chief executive.
- by Lisa Visentin
Closing the Gap
'Ad hoc': Wyatt to review call for major overhaul on Indigenous funding
The Productivity Commission found there was little evidence of the effectiveness of $35 billion of annual funding for Indigenous affairs across health, education and welfare and called for a step-by-step guide for assessing whether money had been well spent.
- by Rob Harris
Mental health
Mental health system needs NDIS-style reform to cope with this crisis, experts say
A mental health crisis is looming in Australia, and experts say a once-in-a-generation reform to the mental health system is needed to curb it.
- by Rachel Clun
Coronavirus pandemic
Electronic monitoring plan to allow home quarantine for arrivals
Stranded Australians could fly home sooner under a national proposal to use electronic devices to monitor travellers at home.
- by David Crowe
Privacy
Right to erase personal data to be considered in privacy laws review
The federal government review will also examine the need for additional protections around the collection of personal information, including the way consent is sought from children.
- by Lisa Visentin
Anti-corruption
'That would be courageous, minister': the Auditor-General finding dodgy deals
Ferreting out odd expenditure federally without fear or favour is what Grant Hehir does best.
- by Nick Bonyhady