Tony Burke once worked hard to stop euthanasia becoming law in the Northern Territory. Now, he must usher through a new bill to allow the territories to debate the issue.
The Coalition government had hoped that news of the boat would support its claim a Labor government would encourage the people smuggler trade, which would in turn sway some voters at the last moment.
Michelle Grattan discusses the week in politics, including the threat of foot and mouth disease, the government’s climate bill and the grim economic news ahead.
We talk a lot about corrupt behaviour in politics and holding wrong-doers to account. But there’s another problem: the need for politicians to have better values and standards in the first place.
Penny Wong’s first trip as foreign minister appears to have been a success. But there is a long road ahead – and lessons from 50 years ago may be useful.
Australia’s prime ministers in recent years have not stayed in office for long. If the Australian public can be patient, Albanese’s style may offer greater longevity.
Scott Morrison’s pitch to voters that the election is about “you” is a potentially powerful one. But Labor has one available that is even better: it’s about “us”.
Some powerful Indonesians want the 2024 elections postponed - potentially leading the country down a slippery slope that could threaten its hard-won democracy.
In 1922-23, Billy Hughes’ Nationalist Party brokered a deal with the Country Party to form government - but only on condition Hughes was no longer prime minister. It’s possible this could play out again.
The idea of ‘disclaimer labels’ on altered images might curb women’s and girls’ struggle with body image is a false one - in fact, they may even make it worse.
After some prevarication, the prime minister is heading for the COP 26 meeting, But first, he needs to sort out the position on climate within the coalition.
The opposition leader is straddling a middle ground: he is not disliked as his predecessor was, but voters also do not have a clear sense of who he is and what he offers.
While advice to ‘prorogue’ or halt a term of government is controversial, it remains appropriate to prevent a vote of no confidence while by-elections are pending.