Politics news

• Coalition backs Hanson on foreign fighters despite Howard’s plea to counter One Nation

  12-08-2026 03:25 via smh.com.au
  
  The opposition wants an inquiry on One Nation’s ploy to keep terror-linked Australians out, despite not having the numbers to set one up and previously vowing to fight the party.
  
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• Queensland allowed to use coal, gas for data centres despite renewable push

  26-08-2026 11:04 via abc.net.au
  
  The state's premier says it is a "good win" for his state, which owns much of its own electricity infrastructure, while the federal government had previously demanded states use renewables as a standard. 
  
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• Premiers to demand more federal cash after Albanese’s refusal to change GST deal

  26-08-2026 10:34 via smh.com.au
  
  Sources inside Sydney’s national cabinet meeting told this masthead the GST was barely discussed, with frustrated premiers told by Canberra that the WA deal will not be discussed until next year.
  
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• He’s finally stood aside, but Gosling is still a headache for the PM

  26-08-2026 07:50 via smh.com.au
  
  Northern Territory MP Luke Gosling is the distraction Anthony Albanese doesn’t need. The prospect of a byelection in Solomon is real, and that would be a nightmare for the government.
  
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• 'Things are not OK': Indonesians express anger with government

  26-08-2026 06:55 via abc.net.au
  
  President Prabowo Subianto has given his government an "OK" report card as it nears two years in office, but not everyone agrees, with some civil society groups raising white flags and others forming a "shadow cabinet".
  
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• 'Avengers' and 'white flags': How Indonesians are voicing dissent against the government

  26-08-2026 06:55 via abc.net.au
  
  President Prabowo Subianto has given his government an "OK" report card as it nears two years in office, but not everyone agrees, with some civil society groups raising white flags and others forming a "shadow cabinet".
  
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• Coalition MPs want to slash tobacco tax by up to 80 per cent to tackle crime

  26-08-2026 04:30 via smh.com.au
  
  The Coalition’s tobacco taskforce argues black market cigarettes are now a matter of national security due to entrenched criminal-network supply.
  
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• Productivity Commission slams 'clowns' comments after GST report

  26-08-2026 04:18 via abc.net.au
  
  The Productivity Commission says the WA premier "crossed a line" with his criticisms of the body's interim report on GST, adding that political commentary from federal government ministers undermines the commission's integrity.
  
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• Rate rise back on cards despite a step down in inflation

  26-08-2026 04:15 via smh.com.au
  
  The Reserve Bank may have to deliver another interest rate rise with new figures showing inflation easing in July - just not enough.
  
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• Labor MP steps aside from envoy role after assault, bail charges

  26-08-2026 04:04 via smh.com.au
  
  Pressure had been mounting on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to have the Darwin MP Luke Gosling stand aside.
  
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• Labor MP steps aside from envoy role after alleged assault, bail charges

  26-08-2026 04:04 via smh.com.au
  
  Pressure had been mounting on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to have the Darwin MP Luke Gosling stand aside.
  
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• Luke Gosling stands aside as special envoy for defence and veterans' affairs

  26-08-2026 03:50 via abc.net.au
  
  Federal MP Luke Gosling announces he will step aside from his role as special envoy for defence, veterans' affairs and Northern Australia after he was charged with a breach of his bail conditions.
  
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• Breaking: Luke Gosling stands aside as special envoy for defence and veterans' affairs

  26-08-2026 03:50 via abc.net.au
  
  Federal MP Luke Gosling announces he will step aside from his role as special envoy for defence, veterans' affairs and Northern Australia after he was charged with a breach of his bail conditions.
  
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• ACT politician's complaint alleging 'threatening' behaviour by colleague dismissed

  26-08-2026 02:57 via abc.net.au
  
  The ACT Commissioner for Standards recommends a complaint filed by former Liberal MLA Leanne Castley about alleged "threatening behaviour" by colleague Chiaka Barry be dismissed.
  
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• ACT politician's alleged 'threatening' behaviour towards former leader dismissed

  26-08-2026 02:57 via abc.net.au
  
  The ACT Commissioner for Standards recommends a complaint filed by former Liberal MLA Leanne Castley about alleged "threatening behaviour" by colleague Chiaka Barry be dismissed.
  
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• Live: Taylor renews calls for Labor MP facing fresh bail charges to be stood down

  25-08-2026 23:12 via abc.net.au
  
  Angus Taylor renews calls for Labor MP Luke Gosling to be stood down from his role as special envoy after he was charged with breaching his bail conditions. Follow live. 
  
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• Live: Productivity Commission says criticism of GST carve-up report has crossed a line

  25-08-2026 23:12 via abc.net.au
  
  The Productivity Commission has rebuffed criticism of its interim report into the GST carve-up, saying the comments have crossed a line. Follow live. 
  
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• Live: Productivity Commission rebuffs 'unacceptable' criticism of GST interim report

  25-08-2026 23:12 via abc.net.au
  
  The Productivity Commission has rebuffed criticism of its interim report into the GST carve-up, saying the comments have crossed a line. Follow live. 
  
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• Live: Labor MP Luke Gosling stands aside from envoy role as he faces breach of bail charge

  25-08-2026 23:12 via abc.net.au
  
  Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling has stood aside from his special envoy role as he faces a breach of bail charge. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Coalition report calls to slash tobacco excise by 80 per cent, legalise vapes

  25-08-2026 23:12 via abc.net.au
  
  A Coalition report calls for the tobacco excise to be slashed by up to 80 per cent and a framework for businesses to legally sell vapes. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Coalition report calls for 80pc cut to tobacco excise, legalised vapes

  25-08-2026 23:12 via abc.net.au
  
  A Coalition report has called for the tobacco excise to be slashed by up to 80 per cent and a framework for businesses to legally sell vapes. Follow live.
  
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• Coalition report calls for 80pc cut to tobacco excise, legalised vapes — as it happened

  25-08-2026 23:12 via abc.net.au
  
  A Coalition report has called for the tobacco excise to be slashed by up to 80 per cent and a framework for businesses to legally sell vapes.
  
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• Domestic violence, guns, bird flu and data centres focus of leaders' talks

  25-08-2026 21:15 via abc.net.au
  
  Premiers are heading into national cabinet divided over how Australia should meet the rapidly growing energy demands of AI data centres, with fuel security, domestic violence rates and gun law talks on the table.
  
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• Albanese to stare down national cabinet data centre stoush

  25-08-2026 21:15 via abc.net.au
  
  Premiers are heading into national cabinet divided over how Australia should meet the rapidly growing energy demands of AI data centres, with fuel security, domestic violence rates and gun law talks on the table.
  
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• One Nation has again had to clear up its migration target, so exactly what is the NOM?

  25-08-2026 21:11 via abc.net.au
  
  Net Overseas Migration is a term that's often misunderstood, and the PM claims numbers are being thrown around 'like confetti'. So what exactly is the NOM, what kind of factors cause it to fluctuate, and where do the political parties stand?
  
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• 'Like confetti': One Nation confusion has thrust NOM back into the spotlight

  25-08-2026 21:11 via abc.net.au
  
  Net Overseas Migration is a term that's often misunderstood, and the PM claims numbers are being thrown around 'like confetti'. So what exactly is the NOM, what kind of factors cause it to fluctuate, and where do the political parties stand?
  
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• Why Labor’s carbon credit scheme’s an economist-conceived sham

  25-08-2026 21:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Environmental economists came up with the idea of the offset. The Albanese government’s using the mechanism to pretend it cares about climate change.
  
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• Call for MH17-style international probe into Zomi Frankcom killing

  25-08-2026 20:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada are being urged to consider launching a joint criminal investigation into the fatal Israeli drone strike.
  
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• Best of cartoons, August 26, 2026

  25-08-2026 12:27 via smh.com.au
  
  The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.
  
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• Albanese tells Queensland to get with the program on AI revolution

  25-08-2026 12:00 via smh.com.au
  
  The prime minister urged business leaders at the annual dinner to stop forecasting the worst-case scenario and “be more optimistic”.
  
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