Politics news

• Government facing growing push to ditch aged care algorithm after Four Corners episode

  19-08-2026 10:10 via abc.net.au
  
  Labor has resisted calls to change an aged care assessment tool at the centre of hundreds of complaints.
  
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• One Nation denies fringe influencer is a member after he supports neo-Nazi rights

  19-08-2026 21:00 via smh.com.au
  
  A week after distancing himself from neo-Nazi figures, an online influencer known as Ausmaxx has posted videos condemning charges against National Socialist Network leaders.
  
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• Labor has made the most of its cooperation with the Coalition

  19-08-2026 21:00 via abc.net.au
  
  Fights over immigration, superannuation, housing, tobacco excise and data centre rules will continue and intensify. But this was a week for cooperation.
  
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• At this point, most voters wonder why the Coalition even exists

  19-08-2026 21:00 via smh.com.au
  
  After getting smashed at an election, the conventional expectation is that if you keep plugging away, the supporters will return over time. But what if, post-thrashing, even more supporters walk away?
  
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• $2 trillion of debt and climbing – Australia’s great big IOU is getting bigger

  19-08-2026 20:55 via smh.com.au
  
  The states and territories are driving government debt to $2 trillion. One state is facing a 6000 per cent increase in its interest bill.
  
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• ‘I won’t be part of it’: Gambling ads in State of Origin an absurdity, says Liberal senator

  19-08-2026 20:44 via smh.com.au
  
  AFL and NRL audiences could still see an unlimited number of gambling ads at some point during more than one-third of each season’s games under new wagering laws.
  
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• Best of cartoons, August 20, 2026

  19-08-2026 13:52 via smh.com.au
  
  The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.
  
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• Tenants caught in crosshairs of angry rent-hike debate

  19-08-2026 11:45 via smh.com.au
  
  Investors told they could be better off sinking their money in US government debt than buying existing properties.
  
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• Governor-general ‘shocked and troubled’ by Swans sexual assault allegation

  19-08-2026 10:50 via smh.com.au
  
  Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn, a former Swans board member, said that sports clubs and the community in general needed to be vigilant about women’s treatment.
  
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• Politicians slam 'cruel tool' used to determine at-home aged care funding

  19-08-2026 10:10 via abc.net.au
  
  Labor has resisted calls to change an aged care assessment tool at the centre of hundreds of complaints.
  
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• As Labor’s NDIS overhaul passes, Mark Butler says states have more work to do

  19-08-2026 09:52 via smh.com.au
  
  Health Minister Mark Butler said new systems for older children and adults would be running by 2028, as new laws allow 240,000 people to be removed from the scheme.
  
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• Lambie launches furious attack on government over plan to cap veterans’ health spending

  19-08-2026 09:46 via smh.com.au
  
  The former Australian Army corporal used a fiery speech to accuse the Albanese government of a “callous disregard for veterans’ health and wellbeing”.
  
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• ‘He’s never liked her’: Palmer backs Nationals to take on Hanson and Rinehart

  19-08-2026 03:32 via smh.com.au
  
  Palmer surprised the Nationals by bidding on a guitar at a fundraiser, but is reported to be ready to pump in a lot more toblock One Nation.
  
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• Husband of late MP Peta Murphy gives his verdict on Labor’s gambling reforms

  19-08-2026 02:46 via smh.com.au
  
  Rob Glover says “organisations with a privileged place in Australian life have continued to put their commercial interests ahead of the social responsibilities”.
  
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• Live: Liberal senator to cross floor on gambling ad bill

  18-08-2026 23:10 via abc.net.au
  
  Paul Scarr says he will cross the floor of the Senate to vote against Labor's gambling advertising bill, defying his party's official position. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Butler slams One Nation plan to slash tobacco excise as 'cheap headline'

  18-08-2026 23:10 via abc.net.au
  
  Health Minister Mark Butler slams a One Nation plan to slash the tobacco excise, describing it as nothing but a "cheap headline". Follow live.  
  
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• Liberal senator to cross floor on gambling ad bill — as it happened

  18-08-2026 23:10 via abc.net.au
  
  Paul Scarr says he will cross the floor of the Senate to vote against Labor's gambling advertising bill, defying his party's official position.
  
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• Labor floats ‘Thriving Teens’ scheme as laws pass to remove 240,000 from NDIS

  18-08-2026 21:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Health Minister Mark Butler said new systems for older children and adults would be running by January 2028, despite the tight turnaround time.
  
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• ‘Fake agents’: Migration operators stripped of credentials in crackdown

  18-08-2026 21:00 via smh.com.au
  
  A federal crackdown has exposed unregistered individuals lodging hundreds of visa applications under legitimate credentials, leaving vulnerable clients at risk.
  
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• Jailed former Pakistan PM Imran Khan moved to hospital over health concerns

  18-08-2026 17:04 via abc.net.au
  
  The cricketer-turned-politician has been in jail for three years, convicted in a string of cases he insists are politically motivated.
  
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• Give renters a break: Two-year leases plan to protect from ‘gouging’ landlords

  18-08-2026 16:01 via smh.com.au
  
  The ACTU was a key supporter of the May budget’s property tax changes. Now it’s setting its sights on renters’ rights and public housing.
  
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• Controversial NDIS changes pass after Labor strikes deal with Coalition

  18-08-2026 12:38 via abc.net.au
  
  The controversial changes to the NDIS have passed the Senate after Labor struck a deal with the Coalition, tabling 63 amendments to the reforms.
  
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• Controversial changes to NDIS will pass after Labor strikes deal with Coalition

  18-08-2026 12:38 via abc.net.au
  
  The controversial changes to the NDIS have passed the Senate after Labor struck a deal with the Coalition, tabling 63 amendments to the reforms.
  
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• Labor, Coalition agree gambling can police itself. Good luck with that

  18-08-2026 11:30 via smh.com.au
  
  Liberal Party frontbencher Sarah Henderson spent years attacking the government over gambling. Now she has helped the prime minister neutralise an awkward political problem.
  
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• Minister denies eye roll at veterans pleading for healthcare funding

  18-08-2026 10:33 via smh.com.au
  
  Matt Keogh concedes he made a mistake by initially declining to meet the group of former defence personnel, but denied accusations he refused to shake their hands.
  
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• Labor’s controversial gambling bill will pass – with fresh headaches for the government

  18-08-2026 10:23 via smh.com.au
  
  Liberal MP Andrew Wallace crossed the floor for the first time, as last-minute amendments on online ads and promotions secured Coalition support in the house.
  
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• Labor’s controversial gambling bill will pass - with fresh headaches for the government

  18-08-2026 10:23 via smh.com.au
  
  Liberal MP Andrew Wallace crossed the floor for the first time, as last-minute amendments on online ads and promotions secured Coalition support in the house.
  
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• ‘Let the public be the judge’: Coalition says PM, Wong and others must front royal commission

  18-08-2026 09:37 via smh.com.au
  
  Liberal MP Julian Leeser also said the royal commission had been unable to do its job without questioning the prime minister and key leaders in the arts, university and culture sectors.
  
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• Did melon-gate damage relations with Japan? Today we found out

  18-08-2026 08:39 via smh.com.au
  
  A visit by Japan’s defence minister offered an opportunity to prove the bilateral relationship is too important to be derailed by a dodgy double entendre.
  
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• 'Enormous concern' Qld police breaking the law escaping workplace punishment

  18-08-2026 06:25 via abc.net.au
  
  Queensland corruption watchdog says it is of "enormous concern" police officers who are found guilty of a crime but do not have a conviction recorded cannot be disciplined.
  
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