At the heart of Canberra, the Rex Hotel came alive with the vibrant rhythms, tantalising aromas, and colourful costumes of Africa as dignitaries, ambassadors, and members of the African diaspora gathered to celebrate Africa Day. This annual celebration, held on May 25 to mark the founding of the Organization of […]
politics
The Coalition is being glued together again, after a Liberal Party meeting on Friday gave the go ahead for Liberal leader Sussan Ley to negotiate with Nationals leader David Littleproud on the fine print of a settlement on policy. The Liberal party room agreed to accept broadly the Nationals’ four […]
In 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump implemented a policy to fast-track asylum for white South African farmers, citing alleged “land seizures” and persecution — despite no credible evidence that these farmers met the internationally recognised definition of a refugee. Critics pointed out the hypocrisy: while the U.S. sought to bar […]
The Nationals have broken the Coalition, for the first time in nearly four decades, because new Liberal leader Sussan Ley would not agree to their policy demands being part of a new agreement between the parties. Ley had hoped an agreement could be reached. The split will make running a […]
This week, more reports emerged of horrific abuse of children at childcare centres. An ABC investigation reported young children had suffered burns and been verbally abused. In another case, a baby was repeatedly slapped by an early childhood educator. This follows claims of sexual abuse and neglect earlier this year. On Tuesday, we also saw the […]
Industry Minister Ed Husic, dumped from the frontbench ahead of Anthony Albanese’s announcement of his new ministry, has made an excoriating attack on Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, describing him as a “factional assassin”. Marles, chief of the Victorian right, in large part drove factional changes which saw Husic, from […]
In a dramatic parallel, what happened in Canada at the beginning of this week has now been replicated in Australia at the end of the week. An opposition that a few months ago had looked just possibly on track to dislodge the government, or at least run it close, has […]
Immigration is shaping as one of the most potent policy issues of the election campaign. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced a Coalition government would cut the two major migration programs – permanent and net overseas. He has directly linked the number of people coming into the country to high house prices, […]
Peter Dutton has raised the white flag on his controversial attempt to force Canberra public servants back into the office, with the opposition now saying there will be no change in current arrangements. The shadow minister for the public service, Jane Hume, said: “We have listened, and understand that flexible […]
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will bring down the federal budget on Tuesday. It’s likely most of the major spending initiatives have already been announced. An extra A$8.5 billion in spending on Medicare will aim to ensure nine out of ten GP visits will be bulk billed by 2030. Queensland’s Bruce Highway is to […]