Politics news

• Who broke the Liberal Party?

  31-07-2026 23:00 via abc.net.au
  
  Paul Kelly sits down with David Speers to unpack the decade that broke the Liberal Party. 
  
  Read more

• ‘Embarrassing backdown’: Labor’s last-minute reprieve for 800,000 Australians

  20-08-2026 08:01 via smh.com.au
  
  More than 800,000 older Australians will still get Meals on Wheels and other programs at home after Labor abandoned a plan to merge them into its under-pressure aged care system from next year.
  
  Read more

• Israeli ambassador rejects 'political attacks' on report clearing soldiers in Frankcom killing

  20-08-2026 05:14 via abc.net.au
  
  Israel's ambassador Hillel Newman defends the IDF investigation clearing its soldiers of criminal wrongdoing in the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom, saying the findings should not be attacked if they "are not suitable to one's political agenda".
  
  Read more

• Albanese dinner host's family fortune linked to corruption scandals involving relatives

  20-08-2026 05:14 via abc.net.au
  
  The fortune of Australian billionaire Phillip Lee, whose son recently hosted a dinner attended by Anthony Albanese, has been linked to major corruption scandals involving relatives in China.
   
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Albanese dinner host's family fortune linked to corruption involving relatives

  20-08-2026 05:14 via abc.net.au
  
  The fortune of Australian billionaire Phillip Lee, whose son recently hosted a dinner attended by Anthony Albanese, has been linked to major corruption scandals involving relatives in China.
   
  
  Read more

• Why there will be more police with more powers in Perth's CBD this October

  20-08-2026 04:59 via abc.net.au
  
  The Land Forces defence expo was the site of ugly clashes when it was last held in Melbourne. As its next edition approaches in Perth, the WA government wants to give police more power for "public order".
  
  Read more

• Police could get new powers as a major defence expo approaches in Perth

  20-08-2026 04:59 via abc.net.au
  
  The Land Forces expo was the site of ugly clashes when it was last held in Melbourne. As its next edition approaches in Perth, the WA government wants to give police more power for "public order".
  
  Read more

• ‘Hawkie would like to see you’: Lessons, power and nostalgia from 30 years in the press gallery

  20-08-2026 04:00 via smh.com.au
  
  From Bob Hawke’s cigar-smoke charm to Anthony Albanese’s tech battle, Tony Wright farewells three decades inside Parliament House.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Central Queensland advances bid for major defence hub

  20-08-2026 01:24 via abc.net.au
  
  New details have emerged on a business case for defence investment as central Queensland hosts a significant army training operation.
  
  Read more

• Live: Wong outraged, ambassador called in after IDF soldiers cleared over Australian's death

  19-08-2026 23:05 via abc.net.au
  
  Penny Wong says the government will haul in Israel's ambassador to Australia after the IDF cleared soldiers involved a strike that killed Zomi Frankcom. Follow live. 
  
  Read more

• Live: Wong outraged, ambassador called in after IDF soldiers cleared over Australian aid worker's death

  19-08-2026 23:05 via abc.net.au
  
  Penny Wong says the government will haul in Israel's ambassador to Australia after the IDF cleared soldiers involved a strike that killed Zomi Frankcom. Follow live. 
  
  Read more

• Live: Wong 'outraged' after IDF soldiers cleared over Zomi Frankcom killing

  19-08-2026 23:05 via abc.net.au
  
  Penny Wong says the government will haul in Israel's ambassador to Australia after the IDF cleared soldiers involved a strike that killed Zomi Frankcom. Follow live. 
  
  Read more

• Live: Wong declares 'difficult' time in relationship with Israel following Frankcom findings

  19-08-2026 23:05 via abc.net.au
  
  Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia is outraged after the IDF cleared soldiers of criminal responsibility involved a strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom. Follow live.
  
  Read more

• Live: Wong concludes meeting with Israeli ambassador over Frankcom IDF findings

  19-08-2026 23:05 via abc.net.au
  
  Penny Wong has concluded her meeting with Israeli ambassador to Australia Hillel Newman after he was summoned to Parliament House. Follow live.
  
  Read more

• Live: Israeli ambassador expresses 'deep sorrow and grief' for Zomi Frankcom death after IDF finding

  19-08-2026 23:05 via abc.net.au
  
  The Israeli ambassador responds following a meeting with Penny Wong after the IDF cleared soldiers of criminal responsibility involved a strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom. Follow live. 
  
  Read more

• Live: Israeli ambassador arrives after being called in by Wong over Frankcom IDF findings

  19-08-2026 23:05 via abc.net.au
  
  Israeli ambassador to Australia Hillel Newman has arrived at Parliament House in Canberra after being called in by Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Follow live.
  
  Read more

• 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.
  
  Read more

• 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.
  
  Read more

• 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?
  
  Read more

• $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.
  
  Read more

• ‘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.
  
  Read more

• 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.
  
  Read more

• 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.
  
  Read more

• 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.
  
  Read more

• 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.
  
  Read more

• 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.
  
  Read more

• 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.
  
  Read more

• 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”.
  
  Read more

• ‘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.
  
  Read more

• 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”.
  
  Read more

Follow @Politics_NewsAU on Twitter!