Paul Sakkal
Paul Sakkal is Chief Political Correspondent. He previously covered Victorian politics and won a Walkley award and the 2025 Press Gallery Journalist of the Year. Contact him securely on Signal @paulsakkal.14.
- Exclusive
- Byelection
Hanson offers Coalition preference deal in Farrer as Abbott warns of Liberal wipeout
Conservative warrior Tony Abbott hit the streets of Albury on Thursday to convince Liberal supporters to stick with the struggling party.
- Paul Sakkal and Rob Harris
Latest
- Exclusive
- Middle East at war
Bowen’s big stick spurs largest intervention since World War II to secure fuel for bush
As Bowen forces suppliers to ship fuel to regions, the NRMA urges him to “Go hard, minister. Do whatever you have to do.”
- Mike Foley and Paul Sakkal
- Exclusive
- Middle East at war
Emergency measures on the table as PM calls fuel crisis national cabinet
Talks are under way inside the federal government about bringing the states together to create a consistent message on light-touch ways to save fuel.
- Paul Sakkal and Mike Foley
Taylor drops Dutton-era hostility to business, as Canavan calls for tariffs
An average Australian will be $35,000 worse off over the next decade under Labor, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor will warn in his first major economic speech since becoming opposition leader.
- Paul Sakkal
- Exclusive
- Middle East at war
States warn piecemeal fuel rationing would trigger COVID-era confusion
NSW and Victoria’s premiers raised the prospect of extraordinary interventions should shipments dry up, insisting the Albanese government must take on a national leadership role.
- Paul Sakkal
- Updated
- SA votes
Labor seeks to drive wedge between Hanson and working-class base
The re-elected Labor premier derided Pauline Hanson’s “landmine” comments and warned the minor party’s ascendancy could have federal implications.
- Paul Sakkal and Brittany Busch
- Exclusive
- Middle East at war
Albanese steps in on fuel supply as Coalition floats Russian sanctions pause
The government for the first time acknowledged the potential benefit of Australians working from home and cutting back on fuel consumption.
- Paul Sakkal
- Exclusive
- Political leadership
Coalition plans assault on One Nation’s credibility to avoid South Australia-style wipeout
The federal Coalition is plotting to reveal economic reform and explain the pain that would be caused by Pauline Hanson’s zero-immigration policy.
- Paul Sakkal
Warning to Australia: Work from home, avoid air travel and cut speed limits to guard against oil shock
As the Albanese government avoids alarm, the International Energy Agency issued a global plea for countries to take some drastic actions on Friday.
- Paul Sakkal
Australians told to prepare for more petrol pain as war stretches on
Business chiefs are raising worries about a supply shock if the war drags on, leading a top economist to recommend work-from-home directives to reduce demand for oil.
- Paul Sakkal and Nick Newling