Peter Hartcher
Peter Hartcher is political editor and international editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Opinion
Libs excise fiscal rectitude from their political arsenal
The Coalition loves to paint its political opponents as fiscally reckless. But this week’s budget eclipses even the most profligate of Labor governments.
- by Peter Hartcher
Latest
Opinion
Scott Morrison vindicated for wanting health inspectors to have more power
An independent global expert panel says that if the world wants to prevent another pandemic, it needs international health inspectors with powers like those of international weapons inspectors. If that sounds familiar, it’s because Scott Morrison made the same recommendation over a year ago.
- by Peter Hartcher
‘There is no time to waste’: WHO needs new powers to control future outbreaks, report says
The report also urges world governments to allow WHO infection experts immediate access to inspect outbreaks anywhere in the world in an effort to prevent future cover-ups and delays.
- by Peter Hartcher
Analysis
Marriage of convenience comes with some hidden hazards
The pandemic has given the government licence to spend big, to dream large, and to do it in a way that the country needs. And licence to do it in good time for its re-election campaign.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
The world is partying hard on free money, but beware the hangover
Central banks have pumped a fresh $US8 trillion into global liquidity since the pandemic was declared last year.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
Voters driven to distraction by Morrison’s short-term splurge
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is quickly rebuilding a coronavirus-ravaged economy in the short term. But beyond this, his plans are a mystery.
- by Peter Hartcher
Analysis
China’s latest move a mere formality as Xi and Morrison speak the dialogue of the deaf
Beijing’s decision to suspend a high-level economic dialogue with Australia has no practical effect. But it conveys important information nonetheless.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
Australia’s complacency, not racism, led to India ban
There was no malice in the Morrison government’s handling of the India ban, just ham-fistedness.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
The politics of standing up to Xi’s China
China’s intention to take Taiwan - by force if necessary - is clear. But the Morrison government needs to watch its language. Election campaigns are not ideal showcases for subtlety and restraint.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
If Afghanistan was bad enough, let’s not countenance a war with China
As the US shifts its military might from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific, our Defence Minister says nobody wants to see conflict between China and Taiwan, but he warns: “I don’t think it should be discounted.”
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
The world is cooling to Morrison’s Australia
While leading nations doubled their ambitions to cut carbon emissions, Scott Morrison delivered a message of Australian timidity and complacency. It will cost us diplomatically – and economically.
- by Peter Hartcher