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Illustration by Simon Letch

Anika Wells is a talent. She could be PM one day, but Albanese should sack her as sports minister

Imagine the booing of cricket fans if she dares to turn up at the Boxing Day Test.

  • James Massola

Latest

Here’s an unpopular view about politicians: we need to give them post-politics jobs

When most MPs leave office, they’re unpopular and almost unemployable. If we want to stop them becoming lobbyists, we need to give them something to do.

  • Jacqueline Maley
Premier Roger Cook and the rest of the WA political class have been given a 3.5 per cent pay rise.

Roger Cook’s getting paid another $13k a year. Here’s what he should spend it on

Premier Roger Cook was given a $13,740 pay bump with a stroke of the pen from the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal.

  • Hamish Hastie
Former WA Health Minister John Day.

Labor’s mad scramble to fix ‘invalid appointment’ of man in charge of WA politicians’ salaries

Labor will introduce an amendment to laws governing the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal on Tuesday to patch up the 2021 appointment of former Barnett government minister John Day.

  • Hamish Hastie
MPs will converge on Brisbane next week for the first parliamentary sittings of 2025.

Queensland politicians granted up to $6500 for home security upgrades

After years of political debate over Queensland law and order policies, MPs will be given a special allowance to better secure their own homes.

  • Sean Parnell
Flight upgrades

Flight upgrades for work OK, but voters frown on MPs getting holiday perks

The Resolve Political Monitor found voters were divided on upgrades, but Coalition MP Bridget McKenzie is still pushing for a Senate inquiry into the PM’s trips.

  • Paul Sakkal
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ACT deputy opposition leader Alistair Coe.

Booze lobby calls in former ACT Liberal leader for help

Can ex-Canberra Liberal leader Alistair Coe help Alcohol Beverages Australia make a splash in the corridors of power? CBD is doubtful.

  • Kishor Napier-Raman and Noel Towell
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied that the court case brought by former staffer Sally Rugg against independent MP Monique Ryan led to the increased staffing for MPs that was announced in the budget.

Federal MPs get extra staff at cost of $159 million, but it’s nothing to do with Rugg v Ryan

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says giving every member of parliament an extra electorate staffer will help them deal with social media and growing constituencies.

  • James Massola
John Barilaro giving evidence during the inquiry into his appointment as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas.

ICAC finding does not erase shameful episode of public governance

The corruption watchdog found nothing unlawful about the attempted appointment of John Barilaro as New York trade commissioner.

  • The Herald's View
Barnaby Joyce in his Toyota Landcruiser. The vehicle is the single most popular choice among Australian politicians,

EV revolution lost on Australia’s politicians as they cling to petrol cars

Just three of Australia’s 227 federal MPs have chosen fully electric vehicles as their taxpayer-funded cars.

  • Cameron Atfield