Politics

Politics · 29 September 2026

Rate Hikes Hit Albanese’s Budget Like a Rugby Scrum—No Refunds, No Reset

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

When the Reserve Bank’s latest rate hike rolls in, the Albanese government finds its already‑squeezed budget scrambling to keep up, and every market participant is left wondering whether a fiscal playbook can still w…

Politics · 29 September 2026

OpenAI's Aussie Apology Tour: From Medicare Hack to Chairing the AI Oversight Committee

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

OpenAI sent its chief strategy officer to Sydney with a sack of Tim Tams and a public apology for an AI‑driven Medicare breach, only to be handed the reins of a new joint AI oversight committee, much to the delight of…

Politics · 29 September 2026

The Greens Retreat: A Study in Sympathetic Stalling

Priya Nair, Sydney desk

With all but two senators formally out of the running, the party's leadership battle moves to a Sydney venue for a week of consensus-seeking that looks suspiciously like a very expensive group therapy session.

Politics · 29 September 2026

Tax Take Nears Record as Treasurer Blames War, Petrol Prices Still Exist

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

In a baffling move, Treasury Minister Chalmers attributes the near‑record tax haul to war while blaming rising petrol prices for inflation, amid looming RBA rate hikes.

Politics · 29 September 2026

Sydney's Cartoonists Crown September’s Most Underwhelming News as Art

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

A roundup of September 29’s ‘Best of Cartoons’ shows the city’s illustrators turning today’s headlines into mildly amusing sketches, highlighting the absurdity of everyday politics and civic life.

Politics · 29 September 2026

Hanson and Spender demand crackdown on hate preachers while Britain thwarts a terror plot – Sydney wonders if the next bill will need a translator

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Veteran MPs Pauline Hanson and James Spender have jointly called for tougher measures against hate‑speaking clergy, a move that arrives on the same day British police announced a foiled terror scheme, prompting a dryly…

Politics · 29 September 2026

Green Politics Take a Kidney Break: Waters Resigns, Party Gears Up for Secret Ballot Mayhem

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Greens leader Larissa Waters has stepped down due to kidney complications, sparking a clandestine MP ballot that could reshape the party’s direction.

Politics · 28 September 2026

Bullock’s 150,000‑word marathon leaves rate‑setters clutching their calculators

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Michele Bullock has logged 150,000 spoken words across 22 press briefings, a feat that has left economists wondering whether the RBA is setting interest rates or auditioning for a podcast. The relentless verbal onslaught…

Politics · 28 September 2026

Pauline and James Discover the Ultimate Suburb: A Place Where Nothing Is Said But Much Is Assumed

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

One Nation’s leadership has rebranded a quiet coastal spot as the 'New Byron Bay', seemingly because it is geographically convenient for the leader's property and the home turf of her deputy, who is also training to fl…