Politics

Politics · 17 October 2026

Cormann warns copying One Nation will make Australia poorer, blames two decades of political sleep

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Morrison-era minister Mathias Cormann says copying the One Nation party would leave Australians poorer. He adds that both major parties have spent the last 20 years sleeping on the job, failing to adopt the changes neede…

Politics · 17 October 2026

Economic aches leave Albanese and Chalmers nursing a frosty rapport

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Labor MPs are questioning whether the relationship between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers has soured due to economic pain.

Politics · 16 October 2026

Exclusive Brethren Church's Surprisingly Ambiguous Statements in Parliamentary Hearing

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

The Exclusive Brethren Church's leader, Bruce Hales, appeared before Parliament to address allegations that the church supported the Liberals in the 2025 election and paid neo-Nazi associates to harass the Prime Minister…

Politics · 16 October 2026

Anti‑slavery commissioner calls for closing modern‑slavery disclosure loophole, slams Albanese

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The Australian anti‑slavery commissioner says current laws force firms to disclose modern‑slavery risks but give them no duty to fix the problem, urging the Albanese government to close the gap amid international fal…

Politics · 16 October 2026

More Aussies Pick Slingshots Over Sermons, Poll Shows

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

A recent poll indicates more Australians say they believe in political violence than they attend church each week, a shift that pundits warn could echo overseas unrest.

Politics · 16 October 2026

Exclusive Brethren boss refuses to answer inquiry, citing confidentiality agreements

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church leader has declined to give evidence to an inquiry, arguing that confidentiality agreements signed by members for attending services prevent him from speaking publicly.

Politics · 15 October 2026

RBA pauses rate hikes as unemployment hits five‑year high

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Australian joblessness rose in September to its highest level in five years, prompting the Reserve Bank of Australia to pause further rate increases. Economists warn that higher unemployment could dampen consumer confide…

Politics · 15 October 2026

Brethren boss Bruce Hales to be grilled by parliamentary committee as sect labelled ‘controlling’ not religion

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Former and current Brethren members say the group is a controlling sect rather than a religion, and its leader Bruce Hales is set to face a parliamentary committee on Friday.

Politics · 14 October 2026

Navy’s Hidden Recorder Triggers a Traffic‑Jam of Inquiries

Doug Kettle, Sydney desk

A covert recording device discovered on a navy vessel has launched an investigation, prompting Senator Jacqui Lambie to demand a zero‑tolerance stance on abuse and caution prospective recruits.