Tom McIlroy

Australia would be signed up to Iran war ‘by deception and stealth’ if military support sent, Shoebridge says Greens senator sounds warning as Labor expected to announce possible defence measures to protect Gulf countries within days * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The Greens say sending military support to Gulf countries would only serve Donald Trump’s interests in the growing Iran war, as international law experts warn assistance would mean Australia was legally part of the conflict. Cabinet’s national security committee met on Monday to consider requests for Australia to provide help to countries feeling the brunt of Tehran’s missile attack, sparked by bombings ordered by the US president and Israel. Continue reading...

Australia would be signed up to Iran war ‘by deception and stealth’ if military support sent, Shoebridge says

One Nation candidate contesting Sussan Ley’s seat likened Julia Gillard to ‘non-productive old cow’ Pauline Hanson says ‘get over it’ and fully backs David Farley, her party’s candidate in Farrer byelection

One Nation candidate contesting Sussan Ley’s seat likened Julia Gillard to ‘non-productive old cow’
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Mark Carney has a prescription for middle powers in uncertain times – but Australia isn’t heeding the call | Tom McIlroy Labor has long defended the rules-based order, but Iran and Aukus show a stubborn refusal to move away from the US

Mark Carney has a prescription for middle powers in uncertain times – but Australia isn’t heeding the call
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... @australia.theguardian.com

Canadian PM Mark Carney offers to team up with Australia as ‘strategic cousins’ to push back against dominant superpowers Visiting PM tells Australia’s parliament ‘middle power’ countries must work together on defence, trade and AI Canada and Australia will be stronger negotiating together with superpowers including Donald Trump’s America, acting as “strategic cousins” rather than competitors, prime minister Mark Carney has told federal parliament. In a major address in Canberra on the last full day of his visit to Australia, Carney called for enhanced cooperation on critical minerals, defence and trade and announced Australia would join the G7 critical minerals alliance, the largest grouping of democratic countries with major reserves in the world. Continue reading...

Canadian PM Mark Carney offers to team up with Australia as ‘strategic cousins’ to push back against dominant superpowers

As Albanese celebrates 30 years in parliament, what would the leftwing warrior of 1996 think of today’s PM? He was once a ‘scrappy’ young firebrand and is now the longest-serving member in the Labor caucus. But Anthony Albanese’s journey to the top was not always a sure thing

Terrific @tommcilroy.bsky.social piece. Do read.

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

As Albanese celebrates 30 years in parliament, what would the leftwing warrior of 1996 think of today’s PM? He was once a ‘scrappy’ young firebrand and is now the longest-serving member in the Labor caucus. But Anthony Albanese’s journey to the top was not always a sure thing * A future made in Australia: Anthony Albanese’s 30 years in parliament – in pictures * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast It’s a point of pride for Anthony Albanese that his supporters drank Marrickville’s Portugal Madeira Club dry on election night 1996. Albanese’s arrival in parliament, 30 years ago on Monday, coincided with John Howard’s victory and the end of the Hawke-Keating era. Pauline Hanson was another notable 1996 rookie MP. Continue reading...

As Albanese celebrates 30 years in parliament, what would the leftwing warrior of 1996 think of today’s PM?

All about choice? Liberals move childcare battlelines to vouchers for nannies and grandparents Some experts worry the policy move could threaten Australian standards and equity, raise childcare costs and encourage fraud * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Angus Taylor’s Liberal party is considering vouchers for nannies and grandparents as part of an overhaul of childcare in Australia, a policy experts warn could threaten equity and care standards, as the Coalition sets up a clear contest with Labor ahead of the next election. Matt O’Sullivan, shadow assistant minister for “choice in childcare and early learning”, has opened the door to government-funded vouchers for nannies, au pairs or grandparents, while the party also considers a broader family tax policy that could look at income splitting, tax and superannuation incentives for families. Continue reading...

All about choice? Liberals move childcare battlelines to vouchers for nannies and grandparents

If only Albanese had the courage to start a new push for an Australian republic | Tom McIlroy Amid the former Prince Andrew’s disgrace a republican PM leading a progressive government should go out and make the case, fighting to bring the country with him

By the time a future Australian prime minister leads the transition to the future Australian republic, argues @tommcilroy.bsky.social, “Just what standing the royal family have left by then is anyone’s guess.” www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Blaring sirens on smartphones to warn Australians of major disasters under emergency alerts overhaul Alerts to be sent for bushfires, floods, biosecurity threats and other events which put lives at risk * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australians will soon receive intrusive alerts on their smartphones to warn of impending emergencies as governments overhaul warning systems for natural disasters and other serious events. The new $132m AusAlert system will be rolled out through a series of trials from June, replacing state-based text messaging systems which often struggle because of demand in major emergencies. Continue reading...

Blaring sirens on smartphones to warn Australians of major disasters under emergency alerts overhaul

Increase in religious schools and home schooling could prevent ‘deeper social cohesion’, Julian Hill says Labor MP says some children reach adulthood without mixing with people from different cultures and religions * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A rise in faith-based education and home schooling risks Australian children growing up without any meaningful exposure to peers outside their cultural and ethnic groups, a Labor frontbencher says. Julian Hill, the Albanese government’s assistant minister for citizenship, customs and multicultural affairs, says recent educational trends are seeing some children reach adulthood without mixing with people from different cultures and religions. Continue reading...

Increase in religious schools and home schooling could prevent ‘deeper social cohesion’, Julian Hill says

Pauline Hanson is already distorting policy and politics on immigration. It’s threatening to take us down a dark road Labor is cutting immigration, and the Coalition is talking about ‘good and bad’ migrants, as One Nation’s rise influences the debate * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A little more than two years out from the next federal election, there is something of a realignment going on across the colour-coded hallways of Parliament House. After a torrid nine months of post-election hell for the Liberals and the Nationals, Angus Taylor has taken over the reins of the Coalition. A new opposition energy, especially on the economy, is already evident. Continue reading...

Pauline Hanson is already distorting policy and politics on immigration. It’s threatening to take us down a dark road

Angus Taylor unveils Coalition frontbench with Tim Wilson as shadow treasurer and Nationals returned to fold Liberal leader also promotes Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Andrew Hastie to shadow cabinet Angus Taylor has named moderate MP Tim Wilson as shadow treasurer and given the deputy Liberal leader, Jane Hume, the employment and industrial relations portfolio, in a new frontbench that rewards conservatives and purges Sussan Ley’s backers. Days after rolling the former Liberal leader, Taylor promised his new shadow ministry would fight for improved home ownership and tax reform. Continue reading...

Angus Taylor unveils Coalition frontbench with Tim Wilson as shadow treasurer and Nationals returned to fold

Australia and EU on verge of striking free trade deal long stalled by beef, parmesan and prosecco Two sides ‘converge’ on key differences in Brussels after years of negotiations

Australia and EU on verge of striking free trade deal long stalled by beef, parmesan and prosecco

Angus Taylor becomes opposition leader after defeating Sussan Ley in Liberal party leadership ballot Former shadow defence minister wins partyroom vote, ending Ley tumultuous nine-month reign as the first female leader of the Liberals Angus Taylor has been elected the Liberal party’s new leader, ousting Sussan Ley in a partyroom ballot, 34 votes to 17. Taylor won a strong victory after the spill motion to change the leader passed 33 votes to 17, with one informal vote. Continue reading...

Angus Taylor becomes opposition leader after defeating Sussan Ley in Liberal party leadership ballot

The Libspill is on: Taylor v Ley set for Liberal leadership showdown on Friday morning - podcast Political editor Tom McIllroy speaks to Reged Ahmad about why Angus Taylor is making his move now, whether he has the numbers to beat Sussan Ley, and what it all means for the future of the Coalition

@tommcilroy.bsky.social on our brking news. The Aust Liberal Party leadership challenge is on. We knew it was coming - the question is - whomever prevails - can they finally pull the Opposition together and take on the govt. #FullStory @australia.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Angus Taylor has long been touted as a Liberal leader. But some colleagues see only style and no substance ‘The problem with Angus is that he does not actually do anything,’ one colleague says of the former minister with a glossy CV * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Even before he entered federal parliament in 2013, Angus Taylor was touted as a future leader of the Liberal party, and a future prime minister. “Smart, rich and handsome,” one headline dubbed the incoming member for Hume. A Rhodes scholar, management consultant and scion of one of the New South Wales Monaro region’s founding families, Taylor was described as having a CV almost “too good to be true”. One enthusiastic journalist even suggested he had “the looks and the charm of a young Kennedy”. Continue reading...

Angus Taylor has long been touted as a Liberal leader. But some colleagues see only style and no substance

Angus Taylor supporters expect him to challenge Sussan Ley for Liberal leadership within days Leadership challenge by conservative MP is a matter of when, not if, they say

Angus Taylor set to move against Sussan Ley this week as Liberal MPs heap pressure on the embattled opposition leader www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... @australia.theguardian.com

With a majority, a chaotic opposition and the eager Greens, Labor has a rare chance to take on the housing crisis | Tom McIlroy Labor lost two elections with a policy to rethink capital gains tax. But now may be the perfect time to strike * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast When Richard Marles fronted reporters at Parliament House on Wednesday to announce the sell-off of more than 60 major properties owned by the Defence department, an obvious question was whether the sites would be used for new housing construction. Barracks, airfields, warehouses, and a huge suburb-in-waiting at Maribyrnong, in Melbourne’s west, are all set to be sold. The former munitions site is expected to fit as many as 6,000 new homes once costly remediation works are finally completed. Continue reading...

With a majority, a chaotic opposition and the eager Greens, Labor has a rare chance to take on the housing crisis | Tom McIlroy

Capital gains tax discount to cost Australia $250bn over next decade with retirees and high-income earners to benefit most Parliamentary Budget Office figures show top 1% of taxpayers will receive nearly 60% of the benefit this financial year Australia’s capital gains tax discount will cost nearly $250bn over the next decade, more than twice as much as the concession has cost in its entire 25-year history. Continue reading...

Capital gains tax discount to cost Australia $250bn over next decade with retirees and high-income earners to benefit most

Wong says she understands ‘depth of feeling in the community’ as she defends Israel president’s Australia visit Backlash grows against Israel president Isaac Herzog’s planned visit next week with calls to rescind invitation * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The foreign minister, Penny Wong, has urged critics of a visit to Australia by Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, to consider the context of the trip, insisting Jewish leaders had urged the government to issue an invitation. Herzog’s visit to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney next week is prompting a growing backlash. Herzog, Israel’s head of state, was invited by the governor general, Sam Mostyn, to meet Jewish community members mourning the 15 victims of the Bondi terror attack. Continue reading...

Wong says she understands ‘depth of feeling in the community’ as she defends Israel president’s Australia visit

Albanese government to sell off $3bn worth of historic defence sites amid push to free up space for new homes Richard Marles has decided to sell more than 60 properties, including Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane The federal government will sell off $3bn in historic defence properties around the country, after a major audit of government land holdings and amid efforts to open up land for new housing development and public spaces. Historic defence sites – including Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – will be sold after the multi-year audit, with public servants relocated to modern office spaces and heritage sites – including the cabinet rooms used by John Curtin at the height of World War II in Melbourne – opened to the public. Continue reading...

Albanese government to sell off $3bn worth of historic defence sites amid push to free up space for new homes

Coalition chaos has handed Albanese a gift, but he’ll need much more for the testing times ahead Labor can afford a few moments of glee now, but spending, emissions, AI and Aukus are just some of the challenges on the road to the next election * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Labor MPs could hardly contain their delight on Monday. Even before today’s start of parliament, the Nationals had debated a leadership spill and Sussan Ley looked firmly on borrowed time. They cheered Anthony Albanese at a caucus meeting, in which he likened the disorganisation of the Coalition to a messy break-up on reality TV show, Married at First Sight. Continue reading...

Coalition chaos has handed Albanese a gift, but he’ll need much more for the testing times ahead

Gina Rinehart’s company donated almost $900k to rightwing group Advance, latest political donations data shows Clive Palmer’s Minerology was the single biggest political donor in 2024-25, giving $53.1m to Trumpet of Patriots, which failed to win a seat * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting donated $900,000 to rightwing political campaign outfit Advance last financial year, while Clive Palmer was the country’s largest single donor during the period, giving his own Trumpet of Patriots just over $53m. New political donations data released by the Australian Electoral Commission on Monday showed Hancock Prospecting made two donations in 2024-25 to Advance, worth a combined $895,000. Continue reading...

Gina Rinehart’s company donated almost $900k to rightwing group Advance, latest political donations data shows

Chalmers rejects Coalition claims Labor is fuelling inflation, and says he is ‘impatient for reform’ Australian treasurer ‘open’ to tax reform and says government wants to tackle intergenerational inequity * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Jim Chalmers says the May budget will help tackle inflation and strengthen the economy against shocks from Donald Trump’s policies, and has pushed back on opposition claims his government is intensifying cost-of-living pain. Days before another expected interest rate rise from the Reserve Bank of Australia, Chalmers labelled the Coalition’s criticism of government spending as hypocritical, while also saying the government was “open” to big ideas on tax reform and would apply a laser-focus on intergenerational inequity in Labor’s second term. “The same people who say now that the budget is the sole or primary driver of inflation weren’t saying that last year when inflation was falling substantially and the bank cut rates three times,” he said. “We actually improved the budget in December in the update in any case, another $20bn in savings and the sort of responsibility and restraint unrecognisable to our predecessors.” Continue reading...

Chalmers rejects Coalition claims Labor is fuelling inflation, and says he is ‘impatient for reform’

One Nation may be soaring in the polls but history suggests it will struggle to go mainstream | Tom McIlroy Pauline Hanson cuts through on social media with politically incorrect satire, but it’s a warped online world her party inhabits * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Pauline Hanson was caught off guard when the then Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a snap election back in October 2017. Riding high in the opinion polls, the One Nation leader was travelling overseas while Palaszczuk got the jump on her rivals by announcing the poll months ahead of expectations. Continue reading...

One Nation may be soaring in the polls but history suggests it will struggle to go mainstream | Tom McIlroy

Andrew Hastie rules out challenging Sussan Ley for Liberal leadership, clearing path for Angus Taylor Hastie concedes he does not have support needed to become leader while a source says ‘question of when, not if’ Taylor will mount a challenge to Ley Andrew Hastie has confirmed he won’t contest the Liberal party leadership, clearing the path for fellow rightwinger Angus Taylor to challenge Sussan Ley. After Hastie ended a week of a speculation with a statement on Friday confirming he wouldn’t put up his hand, a source close to Taylor said it was a “question of when, not if” the shadow defence minister launched a formal bid to unseat Ley. Continue reading...

Andrew Hastie rules out challenging Sussan Ley for Liberal leadership, clearing path for Angus Taylor

Albanese strikes $25bn deal with states to end hospital funding battle and agrees to cap NDIS growth National cabinet agrees to top up payments for smaller states, bringing total public hospital spending to $219bn over the next five years * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Anthony Albanese and state premiers have signed a $25bn deal to fund health and hospital services around the country, while agreeing to stem growth in the National Disability Insurance Scheme to 6% or less. Friday’s meeting of national cabinet in Sydney agreed to top up payments for smaller states, bringing total spending for public hospitals to $219bn over the next five years. Continue reading...

Albanese strikes $25bn deal with states to end hospital funding battle and agrees to cap NDIS growth

Albanese to push states on gun buyback scheme despite opposition from Queensland and NT Under the laws, which came in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, the states will be responsible for the collection and processing of surrendered guns * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Anthony Albanese will push national cabinet to thrash out details of the federal government’s looming gun buyback program, set to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, even as Queensland and the Northern Territory refuse to sign up. Friday’s meeting of national cabinet is focused on settling health and disability funding between premiers and the prime minister. But details to roll out the guns buyback – established in laws rushed through parliament last week in response to the Bondi beach terror attack – require swift agreement with state governments. Continue reading...

Albanese to push states on gun buyback scheme despite opposition from Queensland and NT

Labor offers to delay NDIS autism changes if states agree to hospital and disability funding deal Exclusive: The $2bn Thriving Kids scheme, due to start on 1 July, would instead start in October, after states said they were not ready yet * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The Albanese government has offered to delay the start of a new program for early intervention autism services and provide budget top-ups for smaller states, part of efforts to secure an overdue deal on hospitals and disability funding. Premiers and chief ministers look likely to agree to the deal at Friday’s meeting of national cabinet in Sydney, after Anthony Albanese and the health minister, Mark Butler, offered to push back the start of the new $2bn Thriving Kids scheme to October. Continue reading...

Labor offers to delay NDIS autism changes if states agree to hospital and disability funding deal

China’s ambassador warns Albanese reclaiming Port of Darwin will force Beijing to intervene Xiao Qian hits out at Labor’s policy to force the Chinese-owned company Landbridge to sell its 99-year lease on the port * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast China’s ambassador to Australia says plans by the Albanese government to remove the Port of Darwin from Chinese ownership will put at risk future trade growth and force an intervention by Beijing. Ambassador Xiao Qian hit out at Labor’s policy to force the Chinese-owned company Landbridge to sell its 99-year lease on the port, sparked by pre-election national security concerns from both Labor and the Coalition. Continue reading...

China’s ambassador warns Albanese reclaiming Port of Darwin will force Beijing to intervene