Category: Politics

The federal government has called on the Fair Work Commission to ensure the pay of low-income workers does not go backwards, in its submission on a potential rise to the minimum wage. The government handed in its six-page submission to the commission on Friday afternoon, as the body reviews whether the minimum wage should rise...

The Australian government will pay $830 million to French company Naval Group after scrapping a deal to build defence submarines in South Australia. Australia’s current fleet of Collins submarines were set to be replaced by conventional ones constructed by Naval Group. The Morrison government decided instead to pursue nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership. Prime...

Two of Scott Morrison’s lieutenants have been demoted in the Coalition’s new frontbench line-up, with the Nationals leader warning the former government needs to “take its medicine” after electoral defeat. Former employment minister Stuart Robert and former immigration minister Alex Hawke were two of the biggest losers in new Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s shadow ministry...

Peter Dutton will lead the Liberal Party in opposition after the Coalition’s federal election loss, taking the reins from deposed prime minister Scott Morrison. The former defence minister was uncontested in the party room ballot on Monday morning, with Sussan Ley, the former environment minister, voted in as his deputy. Dutton, who becomes the first...

NSW has officially become the last state in Australia to allow terminally ill people to choose when they die. The state’s upper house passed a bill legalising voluntary assisted dying following a long debate on Thursday. The legislation received 23 votes in favour and 15 against after members debated almost 100 late amendments through to...

Minister for Superannuation Jane Hume has conceded the Coalition’s recently announced first home buyer policy would increase house prices “temporarily”. The campaign promise to allow first home buyers to dip into their super to help pay for a home deposit has been criticised by economists and the opposition as a policy that would only drive...

The man many people thought could be Australia’s next prime minister could soon need to find a new job. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is at serious risk of losing his seat and being booted out of parliament, according to a new poll. Support for the man many people think could be the Liberal Party’s next leader...

If Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison loses a general election on 21 May, his rival Anthony Albanese will form the first Labor government in almost a decade. One of Australia’s longest-serving politicians, Mr Albanese has promised voters “renewal, not revolution” as he seeks to oust the conservative Liberal-National coalition. His time as opposition leader has...

A senior federal government frontbencher has effectively alleged China timed the announcement of its security pact with Solomon Islands to hurt the Coalition’s chances at the federal election, suggesting it could be an act of “political interference” by Beijing. Australian officials fear the agreement could allow China to establish a military presence in the Pacific...