Politics
Federal
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.”
- by Mike Foley and Paul Sakkal
Latest
Australia politics as it happened: Coalition attacks Labor for fuel supply issues in question time
The Coalition says Labor is being too secretive about how fuel supplies will get to the regions, as question time resumes in the House of Representatives.
- by Nick Newling and Brittany Busch
Opinion
Middle East at war
Let’s not adopt drongo economics to deal with high-priced fuel
High oil prices are painful. But ideas to make life easier - from ending excise to free public transport - would just make the situation worse.
- by Shane Wright
Labor pushes real-wage increase for millions of workers despite inflation fears
The federal government has requested the increase in its annual submission to the Fair Work Commission, but does not go as far as the country’s biggest union.
- by Nick Newling
Opinion
Political leadership
This madness has gone on for too long. Australia can no longer rely on Trump’s America
The essential truth about Donald Trump is that he does not do alliances or even friendships. He’s turned on NATO, on Ukraine, Canada, Denmark. Wait around long enough and he’ll find a reason to go after us.
- by Shaun Carney
Exclusive
Federal budget
Chalmers’ razor gang eyes cuts to legal services for DV victims
Two years after the Albanese government pledged an extra $1 billion in funding to combat domestic violence, a program that helps victims navigate courts is under review.
- by James Massola
Best of cartoons, March 26, 2026
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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.
- by Paul Sakkal and Mike Foley
Numbers of kids in childcare falls despite subsidy cost nearing $4b for quarter
A social research expert warned there were lessons from the latest data for the prime minister’s ambition of universal childcare.
- by Brittany Busch
Updated
Inflation
Inflation on track to rise past 5 per cent by June with businesses to go bust in record numbers
Inflation was starting to stabilise before the outbreak of the war in Iran, and Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the end of the conflict cannot come soon enough for the economy.
- by Shane Wright