Politics news

• Trump threatens Iran with 'major destruction' as US fleet arrives in Gulf

  28-01-2026 15:07 via abc.net.au
  
  The US president says Tehran should make a deal or face military strikes as tensions between the two countries escalates.
  
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• Best of cartoons, January 29, 2026

  28-01-2026 12:02 via smh.com.au
  
  The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.
  
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• Chinese authorities to visit Brisbane as baby attack investigation continues

  28-01-2026 09:48 via abc.net.au
  
  China's ambassador to Australia says authorities will travel to Brisbane as the search for the man who threw hot coffee on a baby continues.
  
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• Chinese authorities to travel to Brisbane as investigation into attack on baby continues

  28-01-2026 09:48 via abc.net.au
  
  China's ambassador to Australia says authorities will travel to Brisbane as the search for the man who threw hot coffee on a baby continues.
  
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• Ley heaps pressure on Littleproud as leaders fight for their political lives

  28-01-2026 08:33 via smh.com.au
  
  Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has pushed pressure back on Nationals leader David Littleproud to mend the Coalition, as both attempt to survive challenges to their leadership.
  
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• Littleproud wanted to end Ley’s leadership. But he has jeopardised his own

  28-01-2026 07:45 via smh.com.au
  
  Since becoming Nationals leader, Littleproud has lost three MPs from his party room. Even if he survives next week’s challenge, he might lose another. His leadership is looking terminal.
  
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• Littleproud might save his job, but not for long

  28-01-2026 07:45 via smh.com.au
  
  Since becoming Nationals leader, Littleproud has lost three MPs from his party room. Even if he survives next week’s challenge, he might lose another. His leadership is looking terminal.
  
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• Jim Chalmers says inflation is not his fault but faces a rate hike nightmare

  28-01-2026 07:45 via abc.net.au
  
  Less than a year after the Reserve Bank started cutting rates, the prospect of a rate rise is a political nightmare for a treasurer hoping for clear air.
  
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• Chalmers says inflation is not his fault but will need a new story if rates rise

  28-01-2026 07:45 via abc.net.au
  
  Less than a year after the Reserve Bank started cutting rates, the prospect of a rate rise is a political nightmare for a treasurer hoping for clear air.
  
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• Rate rise all but guaranteed after inflation jump

  28-01-2026 06:48 via smh.com.au
  
  The increase on a $600,000 mortgage would add almost $100 to a household’s monthly repayments.
  
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• Ley writes to Littleproud to mend ties, but Littleproud ‘focused on spill’

  28-01-2026 06:41 via smh.com.au
  
  Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has sent a last-ditch message to David Littleproud to mend the Coalition, but her offer for a meeting has been rejected as the Nationals leader faces a spill motion.
  
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• ‘We will see’: Beijing hints at retaliation over Port of Darwin lease

  28-01-2026 05:47 via smh.com.au
  
  China’s ambassador has warned there was “no room for compromise” on Beijing’s position on Taiwan, as he cautioned against a forced sale of the Port of Darwin.
  
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• Littleproud rejects offer to meet Ley as Nationals spill-attempt looms

  28-01-2026 05:20 via abc.net.au
  
  Nationals leader David Littleproud will stare down a leadership tilt from Queensland MP Colin Boyce, though colleagues say it is unlikely the challenger will secure enough votes for a spill.
  
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• Littleproud open to Ley meeting after Nationals spill resolved

  28-01-2026 05:20 via abc.net.au
  
  Nationals Leader David Littleproud will stare down a leadership tilt from Queensland MP Colin Boyce, though colleagues say it is unlikely the challenger will secure enough votes for a spill.
  
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• David Littleproud faces unlikely leadership challenge

  28-01-2026 05:20 via abc.net.au
  
  Nationals leader David Littleproud will stare down a leadership challenge from Queensland MP Colin Boyce, though colleagues say it is unlikely to succeed. 
  
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• David Littleproud faces surprise leadership challenge

  28-01-2026 05:20 via abc.net.au
  
  Nationals leader David Littleproud will stare down a leadership challenge from Queensland MP Colin Boyce, though colleagues say it is unlikely to succeed. 
  
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• Tony Abbott privately urges conservatives to unite against Ley

  28-01-2026 03:00 via abc.net.au
  
  Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott is urging Liberal leadership hopefuls Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie to hash out an agreement and unite in order to oust Sussan Ley. 
  
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• Tony Abbott intervenes in Liberal leadership battle

  28-01-2026 03:00 via abc.net.au
  
  Former prime minister Tony Abbott has intervened in the Liberal leadership race, urging conservatives to unite behind either Angus Taylor or Andrew Hastie in their bid to oust Sussan Ley from the top job.
  
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• Muslim leaders slam Morrison as ‘reckless, irresponsible’ after Islam speech

  28-01-2026 02:59 via smh.com.au
  
  Andrew Bragg has urgedAustralian Muslims to take some responsibility for religious extremism, after Scott Morrison told an antisemitism conference in Israel that Islamic leaders should enforce stronger standards on their communities.
  
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• Perth's Invasion Day rally 'explosives' scare hasn't been declared terrorism. Here's why

  28-01-2026 02:52 via abc.net.au
  
  Identifying ideological motivations behind attacks is critical to separating terrorism from other events just designed to cause fear, an extremism expert told the ABC. 
  
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• Perth's Invasion Day 'explosives' scare hasn't been declared terrorism. Here's why

  28-01-2026 02:52 via abc.net.au
  
  Identifying ideological motivations behind attacks is critical to separating terrorism from other events just designed to cause fear, an extremism expert told the ABC. 
  
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• Perth mayor flags CCC involvement over leaked council report

  28-01-2026 02:34 via abc.net.au
  
  City of Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds rejects a ratepayer's motion of no confidence in his leadership at a public meeting, and raises the prospect of CCC involvement over how a workplace culture report was leaked to media.
  
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• Perth Lord Mayor blocks motion declaring no-confidence in his leadership

  28-01-2026 02:34 via abc.net.au
  
  Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds rejects a ratepayer's motion of no confidence in his leadership, and flags Corruption and Crime Commission involvement over how a secret workplace culture report was leaked to media.
  
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• Lift in inflation puts pressure on RBA for rate rise

  28-01-2026 02:24 via smh.com.au
  
  The end of power subsidies and high-priced air travel pushed up inflation to 3.8 per cent in December, but underlying price pressures may be easing.
  
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• Liberal senator backs Morrison’s call for Muslim community to take responsibility for extremism

  28-01-2026 02:01 via smh.com.au
  
  Andrew Bragg has urgedAustralian Muslims to take some responsibility for religious extremism, after Scott Morrison told an antisemitism conference in Israel that Islamic leaders should enforce stronger standards on their communities.
  
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• Littleproud to face leadership challenge from rogue MP

  28-01-2026 01:49 via smh.com.au
  
  “The National party is committing political suicide by removing itself from the Coalition,” MP Colin Boyce said in issuing the challenge.
  
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• Israeli president visit confirmed, sparking expectations of mass protests

  28-01-2026 01:28 via smh.com.au
  
  Israeli President Isaac Herzog will depart for Australia on February 8 for a five-day trip to meet with senior Australian politicians and survivors of the Bondi Beach massacre.
  
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• Morrison's plan to reform Islamic teaching 'worth looking at', Liberal says

  28-01-2026 01:19 via abc.net.au
  
  Liberal frontbencher Andrew Bragg says Australian Muslims need to take some responsibility for extremist incidents and that a proposal for a register of Islamic preachers is worth considering.
  
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• PM commits to new fund ahead of address to Timor-Leste Parliament — as it happened

  27-01-2026 21:21 via abc.net.au
  
  Anthony Albanese has addressed the Timor-Leste Parliament after committing to an infrastructure fund.
  
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• Live: PM commits to new fund ahead of address to Timor-Leste parliament

  27-01-2026 21:21 via abc.net.au
  
  Anthony Albanese is due to address the Timor-Leste parliament after committing to an infrastructure fund. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Lib senator backs Morrison's call to accredit Islamic preachers

  27-01-2026 21:21 via abc.net.au
  
  A Liberal frontbencher backs former PM Scott Morrison's proposal to accredit Islamic preachers as a "worthwhile discussion to have" in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Lib senator backs Morrison's call for intervention in Islamic teaching

  27-01-2026 21:21 via abc.net.au
  
  A Liberal frontbencher backs former PM Scott Morrison's proposal for an intervention in Islamic teaching as a "worthwhile discussion to have" in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Lib senator backs debate on Morrison's call for intervention in Islamic teaching

  27-01-2026 21:21 via abc.net.au
  
  A contentious Scott Morrison proposal for an intervention in Islamic teaching is a "worthwhile discussion to have" in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. Follow live.
  
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• Live: David Littleproud defends record as surprise challenger emerges

  27-01-2026 21:21 via abc.net.au
  
  David Littleproud has defended his record as Nationals leader after Colin Boyce flagged his plans to spill the leadership when parliament returns next week. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Colin Boyce to move Nationals spill motion and run for leader

  27-01-2026 21:21 via abc.net.au
  
  Nationals MP Colin Boyce has flagged his plans to challenge David Littleproud for leadership of the party when parliament returns next week. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Bridget McKenzie says Nationals spill announcement has 'come out of the blue'

  27-01-2026 21:21 via abc.net.au
  
  Senior Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie says Colin Boyce's announcement to run for leader has come as a surprise. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Albanese jets to Timor-Leste for first official visit as PM

  27-01-2026 21:21 via abc.net.au
  
  Anthony Albanese is travelling to Timor-Leste today for his first official visit as prime minister. Follow live.
  
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• Government turns defence sights north with $355m RAAF base upgrade

  27-01-2026 20:05 via abc.net.au
  
  A Royal Australian Air Force base near Katherine in the NT is updated with purpose-built hangars and improved runways. 
  
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• ‘Not even in with a look’: Nationals face Senate wipeout if Liberal split continues

  27-01-2026 18:30 via smh.com.au
  
  Two of the rebel Nationals whose votes led to the historic Coalition split face losing their jobs at the next federal election, with senior Liberals warning the junior Coalition partner will struggle to claim a quota and retain senators in Victoria and New South Wales.
  
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• Best of cartoons, January 28, 2026

  27-01-2026 11:57 via smh.com.au
  
  The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.
  
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• PM rules out blocking appointment of controversial NT administrator

  27-01-2026 10:28 via abc.net.au
  
  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he will not intervene to block the appointment of the NT's incoming administrator, after a series of his past social media posts surfaced in the media.
  
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• Kevin Rudd tried before for the UN’s top job. Two obstacles stand in the way of another go

  27-01-2026 09:30 via smh.com.au
  
  When asked about Rudd potentially putting his hand up, Anthony Albanese said: “I look forward to the Australian media backing Australians for any position that they run for now and in the future”.
  
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• $5bn of incorrect age pension payments revealed as seniors left waiting

  27-01-2026 07:57 via smh.com.au
  
  There were $5 billion in incorrect payments made in three years, with more than 70 per cent overpayments, according to a scathing auditor-general’s report.
  
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• $5b in incorrect age pension payments revealed as seniors left waiting

  27-01-2026 07:57 via smh.com.au
  
  There were $5 billion in incorrect payments made in three years, with more than 70 per cent overpayments, according to a scathing auditor-general’s report.
  
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• Wilson compares Littleproud gamble to Joyce lying on Canberra footpath

  27-01-2026 01:37 via smh.com.au
  
  Liberal frontbencher Tim Wilson says David Littleproud’s decision to take the Nationals out of the Coalition has fallen flat, likening it to Barnaby Joyce’s drunken night on a Canberra footpath two years ago.
  
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• Live: Ley backer insists leadership speculation 'all sound and fury signifying nothing'

  26-01-2026 21:19 via abc.net.au
  
  A backer of Sussan Ley has taken aim at the fevered speculation about a looming Liberal leadership challenge, dismissing it as "sound and fury signifying nothing". Follow live.
  
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• Live: Ley backer insists leadership speculation 'all sound and fury'

  26-01-2026 21:19 via abc.net.au
  
  A backer of Sussan Ley has taken aim at the fevered speculation about a looming Liberal leadership challenge, dismissing it as "sound and fury signifying nothing". Follow live.
  
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• Live: 'Freaked-out' Nats need to work themselves out before returning to Coalition: former Lib MP

  26-01-2026 21:19 via abc.net.au
  
  "Freaked-out" Nationals need to go sort themselves out before they can return to the Coalition fold, a former Liberal MP says. Follow live.
  
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• Ley backer insists leadership speculation 'all sound and fury signifying nothing' — as it happened

  26-01-2026 21:19 via abc.net.au
  
  A backer of Sussan Ley has taken aim at the fevered speculation about a looming Liberal leadership challenge, dismissing it as "sound and fury signifying nothing".
  
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• How a peaceful Invasion Day gathering in Perth turned to chaos

  26-01-2026 21:07 via abc.net.au
  
  Premier Roger Cook says the way an orderly protest was targeted "runs against the very heart of what it means to be Australian". So what really happened in Perth's CBD on Australia Day? 
  
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