Home
Search
thewest.com.au
PoliticsChevron Right Icon

Federal Politics

Bridget Archer lost her federal Tasmanian seat to Labor challenger Jess Teesdale. NewsWire/ Scott Gelston

newsPremiumOusted rebel Lib plots surprise return

Just weeks after she lost her seat to a Labor newcomer, Bridget Archer has announced her return to politics eyeing a seat in a yet-to-be announced election.

Jessica Wang

Family of Indigenous man Kumanjayi White, who died in custody in Alice Spring, have made a plea for answers. NewsWire / Damian Shaw

NewsPremiumFamily’s plea over death in custody

The family of an Indigenous man who died after being detained by off-police at a supermarket have made a desperate plea for answers.

Nathan Schmidt

Liberal senator James Paterson said the NSW branch was still considering whether to challenge its election loss in Bradfield. Jason Edwards/ NewsWire

newsLibs considering challenge on prized seat

The update comes after Climate 200 backed teal challenger Nicolette Boele won the Sydney seat by a mere 26 votes.

Jessica Wang

Anthony Albanese has respinded to Donald Trump's Australia tariff.

Federal PoliticsCommentsTrade talks rest on Albanese-Trump meeting in Canada

Australia’s case for exemptions or relief from American tariffs will rest on Anthony Albanese’s meeting next week with US President Donald Trump.

Katina Curtis

Trade Minister Don Farrell said he had a “friendly” meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer when the pair met in Paris last week. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

newsInside key meeting to remove Trump tariffs

Australia’s Trade Minister said he had a “friendly” meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer when the pair met in Paris last week.

Jessica Wang

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he wants to push ahead with his plan to increase the tax rate on high-balance superannuation accounts in the form previously proposed.

analysis
analysis
Federal PoliticsCommentsPremium
analysis
Everything you need to know about superannuation tax fight

What is the superannuation tax fight all about and will you have to pay it?

Katina Curtis

From compassionate doctor, to unlikely mayor and eventually a Senator who championed the remote parts of Australia, particularly his beloved Pilbara, Alan Eggleston’s many achievements were celebrated on Saturday.

Federal PoliticsCommentsPremiumSenator’s remarkable life celebrated in memorial service

From compassionate doctor, to unlikely mayor and eventually a Senator who championed the remote parts of Australia, particularly his beloved Pilbara, Alan Eggleston’s life was celebrated on Saturday.

John Flint

Housing Minister Clare O'Neil told media on Saturday more needed to be done to cut down red tape and increase housing builds.

PoliticsCommentsPremiumFed Housing Minister pressures States to slash red tape

Slashing red tape on new housing developments is the key to getting more houses on the market according to Federal Housing Minister Clare O’Neil.

Oliver Lane

NSW Premier Chris Minns has called for a rethink of the country’s cigarette excise.

NEWSWhy leader wants to cut ciggy tax

An Australian premier has made a bold plea to slash the federal government’s tobacco tax – but why?

Nathan Schmidt

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt.

FEDERAL POLITICSPremiumWatt to take UNESCO fight for WA rock art to Europe

Murray Watt will take the fight for UNESCO heritage listing of Aboriginal rock art in WA’s north to Europe after its rejection late last month. 

Caitlyn Rintoul

Robert Pether has been released from Iraqi jail after spending four years behind bars. Supplied

Federal PoliticsAussie engineer freed from Iraqi jail

An Australian engineer has been released from an Iraqi jail four years after his shock arrest.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

American beef of third country origins is a key negotiating item in tariff talks with the US. NewsWire / Nikki Short

POLITICSStumbling block in Trump tariff talks

As Labor vies for an Australian carve out from Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, a senior minister has revealed a key issue on the table.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos JUNE 05, 2025: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at a press conference after touring the North East Project road tunnel under Melbourne. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Federal PoliticsPM says gas needed for WA’s energy transition amid NWS call

Anthony Albanese has defended Murray Watt’s greenlight call to extend the North West Shelf ahead of Woodside’s anticipated response to strict conditions linked to the decision.

Caitlyn Rintoul

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has not yet stepped down from his role. NewsWire / David Beach

PoliticsPremium‘Baffles me’: Anger over Rockliff vote

A Liberal senator has slammed the success of a no-confidence vote against the Premier that will send Tasmanians back to the polls.

Hannah Wilcox

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says China’s rapidly growing nuclear arsenal is driving ‘security anxiety’ in Australia. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

POLITICS‘Security anxiety’: Nuclear warning on China

The Deputy Prime Minister has dropped a warning about one of Australia’s nuclear-armed regional rivals.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

Sussan Ley has opened up on her teenage years, meanwhile Anthony Albanese has rejected US beef.

live
live
PoliticsComments
live
Ley name change in ‘rebel years’, Albo makes US beef stance

LIVE UPDATES: Sussan Ley admits her extra ‘S’ was not a numerology trick for success, meanwhile Anthony Albanese has rejected US pressure to relax Australia’s strict biosecurity laws.

Kimberley Braddish

Treasurer Jim Chalmers declared cost of living is improving after the release of the March quarter national accounts. 

opinion
opinion
MARK RILEYComments
opinion
Chalmers now says we’re better off - why not before?

New data shows wages, inflation and jobs are improving, but Labor didn’t want to say voters were ‘better off’ until after the election.

Mark Riley

Mark Riley

Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese are set to meet and discuss Australia’s defence strategy.

Federal PoliticsCommentsLabor defence strategy delay despite expected Trump pressure

The Government is likely to wait for a defence strategy update before revealing any funding boost, despite expectations Donald Trump will pressure Anthony Albanese over Australia’s budget position.

Katina Curtis

Not Supplied

NewsMajor blow to Labor’s compo reform

Labor’s controversial plan to reform workers compensation in one Australian state has suffered another blow.

Nathan Schmidt

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the Coalition is flip-flopping on super tax talks. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

POLITICSFlip-flop claim amid super tax mudslinging

Labor and the opposition are slinging mud over the Albanese government’s controversial super tax.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

The Liberal Party’s candidate for Bradfield, Gisele Kapterian, has still not conceded. NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

POLITICSPremiumLib’s snub after agonising Bradfield loss

The independent who broke the Liberal’s iron grip on a key Sydney seat has revealed a snub from her Coalition opponent.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

Not Supplied

UPDATED‘Like a men’s shed’: Premier’s spray

The controversial remarks of a senior Victorian Liberal in relation to female involvement in the party have come under fire.

Hannah Wilcox and Nathan Schmidt

Not Supplied

POLITICSKey sticking point in major trade deal

Both Australia and the EU say they are on the brink of a major trade deal, but one key issue is holding it up.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

Tasmanian politics is in chaos after the Parliament passed a vote of no confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff by just a single vote.

live
live
PoliticsComments
live
Tassie Parliament passes no confidence vote in Premier

LIVE UPDATES: Tasmanian politics is in chaos after the Parliament passed a vote of no confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff by just a single vote.

Madeline Cove and Kimberley Braddish