Politics

Politics · 23 October 2026

Albanese hands Greens a fortnight of extra hands as his own party nips inquiry into his powers

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese allocated fifteen staff positions to the Greens, then saw his party block a parliamentary inquiry into his powers, prompting One Nation’s Pauline Hanson to accuse him of political games.

Politics · 22 October 2026

Shoebridge Calls for Independent Inquiry into Steele‑John, Party Supporters Raise Eyebrows

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

David Shoebridge is urging an independent inquiry into fellow MP Jordon Steele‑John, but some members of his own party remain skeptical of the move.

Politics · 22 October 2026

Albanese’s ‘Dirt File’ Drama: Senate Probes Invite‑Only Grants as Watchdog Gets Curious

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

A Senate inquiry into Labor’s invite‑only grant program has drawn the attention of the national corruption watchdog, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is defending a confidential dossier on independent MP Helen Hai…

Politics · 22 October 2026

Helen Haines’ Wodonga Walk Triggers Nationwide MP Safety Review

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

MP Helen Haines was attacked in Wodonga, prompting a community vigil and a fresh look at safety measures for Australian politicians, with officials calling the incident ‘sadly predictable’.

Politics · 22 October 2026

Phil Haines: The Warmth‑Wielding Wizard Who Got Helen into Parliament

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Phil Haines, the MP’s husband, used his renowned warmth and grace to convince Helen to run for parliament, leaving the Prime Minister awestruck and quietly influencing the community independent movement.

Politics · 22 October 2026

Australian MPs Say Listening Is Dangerous, Yet Refuse 24/7 Security

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Australia’s politicians argue that the act of listening has become increasingly perilous, but they insist they don’t want constant security detail, preferring to stay accessible to the public.

Politics · 22 October 2026

Rising rates turn Sydney lunches into a game of hide‑and‑seek, with the missing steak the most elusive player

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

The Reserve Bank’s interest‑rate climb is nudging food prices above oil, leaving many households to swap dinner plates for dust‑bins of optimism. It’s a fiscal diet no one signed up for, but the city’s queues a…

Politics · 21 October 2026

AFP warns of AI-fuelled youth crime tsunami as children as young as 12 targeted

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Federal police have warned a parliamentary inquiry that artificial intelligence is accelerating a 'tsunami' of youth crime and radicalisation. Officials stated that children as young as 12 are among dozens subject to ope…

Politics · 20 October 2026

Market Participants Rattle Over Wangaratta Activist’s Threat to MP

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

When a local activist in Wangaratta threatened a sitting MP, market participants seized the moment, causing property rates in the town to tumble as investors worried about political risk.