Politics

Political news — elections, policy, government, and domestic politics.

1339 articles

Trump Calls Australia's Social Media Crackdown 'Extortion' — Here's What's Actually Going On

The Trump administration is pushing back against Australia's proposed social media laws, which would force platforms to remove harmful content and let users opt out of algorithmic feeds. The White House calls the plan 'extortion' against US tech companies, citing a February 2025 directive. Domestically, the bill is dividing the Coalition, Labor and the Greens over free speech, regulatory reach and penalty sizes.

Marian Ellery·7 min read·2d ago·14 sources

Trump Calls Australia's Social Media Crackdown 'Extortion' — Here's What's Actually Going On

Labour's police candidate Rakesh Naidoo won't hit back at police leadership

Labour's police candidate Rakesh Naidoo has declined to respond to public criticism from police leadership, pointing to internal reviews that cleared him of any wrongdoing. He walked through the timeline of his recruitment, said he would not act differently with hindsight, and refused to weigh in on law and order policy.

Hana Sinclair·4 min read·2d ago·4 sources

Labour's police candidate Rakesh Naidoo won't hit back at police leadership

Sexual Violence Reports Hit Record High, Then Barely Budge: What's the Government Doing About It?

Reports of sexual violence in Australia hit a record high in 2024 before dipping less than 1% in 2025, with a 64% rise over 15 years. The government has a dense pipeline of policy responses, but the data is barely moving, raising questions about whether process will translate into outcomes.

Marian Ellery·5 min read·2d ago·16 sources

Sexual Violence Reports Hit Record High, Then Barely Budge: What's the Government Doing About It?

Hastie Calls Hanson and Joyce 'Lying Cowards' Over One Nation Traitor Cartoon

Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has escalated a weeks-long feud with One Nation, calling Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce 'lying cowards' over a cartoon that depicted him as a traitor. The dispute traces back to Hastie's evidence against Ben Roberts-Smith, and he has hinted at defamation action against Hanson and her strategist.

Marian Ellery·5 min read·2d ago·4 sources

Hastie Calls Hanson and Joyce 'Lying Cowards' Over One Nation Traitor Cartoon

10,000 public servants strike as pay talks stall and election looms

About 10,000 public service workers struck on 9 September 2026 over stalled pay talks, in the largest industrial action of the bargaining round. With a further health strike planned and an election looming, the dispute is far from settled.

Hana Sinclair·4 min read·2d ago·10 sources

10,000 public servants strike as pay talks stall and election looms

ASA partly upholds complaint against National election flyer over KiwiSaver claim

The Advertising Standards Authority has partly upheld a complaint against a National Party election flyer, finding the claim that Labour's capital gains tax would "hit" KiwiSaver was misleading. The majority ruled most people would understand the claim to mean KiwiSaver funds would be directly taxed, when Labour's proposal exempts KiwiSaver.

Hana Sinclair·4 min read·2d ago·2 sources

ASA partly upholds complaint against National election flyer over KiwiSaver claim

Labour pledges Palestine recognition and sanctions on Israel, pressuring coalition on Gaza stance

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has pledged that a future Labour government would join sanctions against Israel and formally recognise Palestine, intensifying the political divide with the coalition government over New Zealand's response to Gaza.

Hana Sinclair·5 min read·2d ago·10 sources

Labour pledges Palestine recognition and sanctions on Israel, pressuring coalition on Gaza stance

Anti-vaccination protesters crowd Labour's Ayesha Verrall at Wellington event, volunteers step in

Anti-vaccination protesters crowded Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall at a public event in Wellington, prompting Labour volunteers and candidates to physically shield her. Labour leader Chris Hipkins condemned the actions and said the party would not be intimidated from campaigning publicly.

Hana Sinclair·3 min read·2d ago·3 sources

Anti-vaccination protesters crowd Labour's Ayesha Verrall at Wellington event, volunteers step in

Carney pivots to domestic investment and trade diversification as U.S. tariff war drags on

As the Canada-U.S. tariff war drags on, Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is pouring billions into domestic business support while pursuing an ambitious decade-long goal of doubling non-U.S. trade to reduce Canada's economic dependence on its southern neighbour.

Graham Thornton·6 min read·2d ago·12 sources

Carney pivots to domestic investment and trade diversification as U.S. tariff war drags on

Blanche d'Alpuget, Novelist and Bob Hawke's Widow, Dies at 82

Blanche d'Alpuget, novelist and widow of Bob Hawke, has died at 82. Her life spanned literature, politics and personal reinvention, and her account of Hawke's legacy remains a subject of debate.

Marian Ellery·4 min read·2d ago·3 sources

Blanche d'Alpuget, Novelist and Bob Hawke's Widow, Dies at 82