This Month
Liontown’s Tim Goyder turns up to thank Jim Chalmers
Heavy hitters wary of party political functions have grown fond of the National Press Club’s Great Hall lunch.
- Myriam Robin
Outer Perth ‘pain seats’ at risk as Albanese cocks ear to west
Federal Labor is bleeding votes in Western Australia that could cost it several key seats, pollsters warn.
- Tom Rabe
The instigator of WA’s GST deal says it is failing
Colin Barnett says there was no need for the prime minister to lift WA’s minimum GST “floor” from 70¢ to 75¢ in the dollar, as is set to occur from July.
- John Kehoe
April
Joe Hockey must be minting money
The former treasurer’s shop has added ex-defence minister Marise Payne and a Japanese diplomat to its roster.
- Mark Di Stefano
March
Mark McGowan doing gas burnouts for Chris Ellison
Despite the former premier citing burnout for quitting politics, McGowan’s new jobs seem to all put him at the centre of the action.
- Mark Di Stefano
February
WA says ‘all options on the table’ on gas reserve
Western Australia’s long-touted domestic gas reserve is no longer fit-for-purpose and will do little to prevent an imminent gas supply shortage, a parliamentary inquiry has warned.
- Tom Rabe
Bombed out APM has a West Australian problem
The West’s enthusiasm for holding APM accountable is mired by the institution’s complex motivations.
- Updated
- Myriam Robin
December 2023
- Opinion
- Political leadership
Odds for 2024 point to another close Labor win in 2025
A growing number of Australian voters are looking for genuine leadership in both major parties, but find them wanting.
- Updated
- John Black
Surging WA government costs eat into $3b iron ore windfall
Surging iron ore prices have delivered the West Australian government an extra $3 billion in royalties, but two-thirds will go on increased state expenses.
- Tom Rabe
The rise and fade of ‘Labor hero’ Annastacia Palaszczuk
Annastacia Palaszczuk first defined herself in opposition to Campbell Newman, but will be remembered for her strong will during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Gus McCubbing
November 2023
Shrinking APM sent directors (and Mark McGowan) to Melbourne Cup
In the week of its AGM, which erased 20 per cent off its share price, APM’s directors enjoyed the Melbourne Cup and partied on a private yacht.
- Myriam Robin
October 2023
Kerry Stokes gathers the oligarchs to kiss the ring
The media and mining mogul’s Telethon Ball was held in Perth on Saturday, bringing together the country’s richest mining billionaires for a private get-together.
- Mark Di Stefano and Tom Rabe
- Exclusive
- NZ election
Why NZ’s likely new PM channels Mark McGowan
The man widely tipped to become New Zealand’s next prime minister says he’s looked to Australia to develop many of his signature policies.
- Tom Rabe
‘Exhausted’ McGowan has four jobs, including one with Joe Hockey
The former WA premier quit politics five months ago citing exhaustion.
- Tom Rabe and Mark Di Stefano
September 2023
- Opinion
- The AFR View
The challenges chipping away at the PM’s power
If the Voice goes down on October 14, Anthony Albanese will have to turn his full attention to grappling with the inflation and cost of living issues.
- The AFR View
WA premier says his government must go in to bat for big miners
West Australian Premier Roger Cook says his government must support big miners more than other states in the face of regulatory and legislative reforms.
- Tom Rabe
August 2023
Gyrating Mark Barnaba helps surprise Malcolm McCusker
Things are very different on that side of the Nullarbor.
- Myriam Robin
- Opinion
- The AFR View
WA’s heritage laws debacle a drag on the Voice
Despite the scrapping of the new laws, the fallout will surely make it harder for the Voice referendum to get across the line.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Voice to parliament
Why WA had to retreat on cultural heritage
The West Australian government is belatedly ditching its new cultural heritage laws after tripping badly on impact, and the debacle has damaged support for the Voice.
- Jennifer Hewett
PRRT demands could push Labor into minority
The Albanese government would face a backlash from WA should it yield to demands to double the size of the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax increase.
- Phillip Coorey
