Latest
Low unemployment is hurting the military
Defence will only hit 57 per cent of its recruiting target this year, Australia’s outgoing military chief says.
- Andrew Tillett
Ailing economy vindicates big-spending budget: Chalmers
Australia’s flatlining economy was vindication for last month’s big-spending federal budget, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has claimed.
- Phillip Coorey
Future Made in Australia to rely on corporate intel
Development of Labor’s manufacturing agenda will rely on closely held intelligence from private companies about their capabilities and weaknesses.
- Updated
- Tom McIlroy
Greens accused of using Gaza to ‘harvest votes’
The government and the opposition have jointly accused the Greens of using the Israel invasion of Gaza to harvest votes and fan violence, at the expense of social cohesion.
- Phillip Coorey
David Rowe cartoons for June 2024
David Rowe is a multiple Walkley award-winning cartoonist. He draws a daily political cartoon and one for the Chanticleer column.
- Updated
- David Rowe
Companies undeterred by failure of the Voice referendum
Big companies such as Westpac say the failure of the Voice referendum will not dissuade them from campaigning on social issues.
- Sally Patten and Patrick Durkin
Opinion & Analysis
ESG idealism runs into hard realities of execution
The end of cheap money to invest, the cost of living crisis, and energy price shock have dramatically changed the order of priority for customers, governments and investors.
Editorial
Fair Work decision gives Labor another chance to run its wages fib
The former government never embarked on a deliberate strategy to suppress wages. But you wouldn’t know it.
Political editor
Migration is our ‘special sauce’, so let’s be rational about it
We should be honest about failed housing policy, thoughtful about changing the international student mix, and not shunt blame onto migrants.
Member for Wentworth
Crackdown on Chinese investors a cautionary tale
Small critical minerals companies are caught up in the midst of a geopolitical struggle between China and the West. Northern Minerals is the latest example.
Columnist
Yesterday
Super funds target fast food giants over antibiotic use
Superannuation funds have opened a new ESG front by demanding companies such as McDonald’s provide more information about their use of antibiotics.
- Ronald Mizen
Cost-of-living pressures ‘hit different’ between generations: Chalmers
Weak growth likely to continue, Chalmers says; Modi forced to rely on allies after failing to secure a majority; Netanyahu coalition splits over ceasefire plan. Follow updates here.
- Updated
- Maxim Shanahan
- Exclusive
- Pacific diplomacy
Singapore talks aim to ‘Trump-proof’ new economic deal
Trade Minister Don Farrell will lead a delegation of top Australian investors to Singapore amid fears over the future of the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
- Andrew Tillett
This Month
Tomahawk missiles plan for Collins-class submarines misfires
Australia’s ageing submarine fleet won’t be fitted with strike missiles following advice that modifying the boats would not be value for money.
- Andrew Tillett
Foreign students ‘cannon fodder’ in poll-driven migration war
Universities have accused both sides of politics of using foreign students as “cannon fodder” in a poll-driven exercise to slash migration, risking thousands of jobs.
- Phillip Coorey and Tom McIlroy
Proposed director disclosures may raise privacy concerns
Leading directors question whether an ASX proposal to recommend board members disclose their sexuality, age, ethnicity and any disabilities would add value.
- Sally Patten and Patrick Durkin
- Opinion
- The AFR View
ESG idealism runs into hard realities of execution
The end of cheap money to invest, the cost of living crisis, and energy price shock have dramatically changed the order of priority for customers, governments and investors.
- The AFR View
- Exclusive
- Indigenous justice
Give native title trust fund billions to the Future Fund: Pearson
Cape York Indigenous leader Noel Pearson says existing structures often involve opaque discretionary trusts that either lock up money too tightly or suffer from the funds being squandered and not invested wisely.
- Ronald Mizen
Labor launches review into native title ‘inequality and unfairness’
The review will look into the limitations on native title land being used for economic development and how to support consensus among traditional owner groups.
- Ronald Mizen
Labor scrambles to end confusion on foreign military recruits
The government has scrambled to clarify that foreigners eligible to join the Defence Force will be limited to just a few countries.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Wage growth
Fair Work decision gives Labor another chance to run its wages fib
The former government never embarked on a deliberate strategy to suppress wages. But you wouldn’t know it.
- Phillip Coorey
- Exclusive
- White collar crime
ASIC lawsuit reveals up to $2.8m axed from audit oversight
For the first time ASIC has candidly admitted the extent of changes that led to its annual report card on the big four accounting firms’ audit quality being scrapped.
- Ronald Mizen
Security and affordability over net zero: energy giant Jemena
Rising geopolitical risks should prompt a rethink of Australia’s energy priorities so reliability of supply and affordability rank above the net zero transition.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Immigration
Migration is our ‘special sauce’, so let’s be rational about it
We should be honest about failed housing policy, thoughtful about changing the international student mix, and not shunt blame onto migrants.
- Allegra Spender
- Updated
- Disability
‘Too late to prosecute’: Fraud rife among NDIS managers
The integrity chief for the NDIS says nine out of 10 plan managers surveyed showed “significant indicators of fraud” including using scheme money for drugs and alcohol.
- Tom Burton
TV channel calls general election in Modi’s favour
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks set to secure a third term; NSW Premier reveals $111 million mental health package; Matildas squad named for Paris 2024. Follow updates here.
- Tess Bennett
- Exclusive
- Indigenous justice
‘Disgraceful’ government neglect costs Indigenous funds $1b
Two big government funds set up to benefit Indigenous people without native title rights were shackled for decades by the investment equivalent of stuffing money under a mattress.
- Ronald Mizen and Peter Ker
Immigration a rising concern for voters
Immigration has surged as an issue of concern among voters while the government’s perceived handling of the issue is continuing to decline.
- Phillip Coorey
Use partner migrants to fill skills shortages, experts say
Thousands of potential skilled workers are already in Australia, as secondary skilled migrants face lengthy wait times for visa processing.
- Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- Critical minerals
Crackdown on Chinese investors a cautionary tale
Small critical minerals companies are caught up in the midst of a geopolitical struggle between China and the West. Northern Minerals is the latest example.
- Jennifer Hewett