Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces a difficult choice if US President Donald Trump escalates the war against Iran. Trump said the US may carry out another military operation, as the conflict nears its eighth month. Labor backbench MPs have been muted during the war but have become slightly more vocal in recent weeks. Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles backed the February action against Iran. Some Labor MPs want Albanese to take a firmer stance against Trump.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over a reported dirt file on independent MP Helen Haines. The file was reportedly circulated weeks before Dr Haines was struck by a four-wheel drive outside her Wangaratta electorate office. Police allege Brendan Nugent, 43, caused the attack and face several charges, and he is expected to face a committal hearing on February 4, 2027. Dr Haines remains in critical but stable condition at The Alfred, and surgeons amputated both her legs. Mr Albanese did not deny the file and called her a good local member.
Patience among some Labor MPs is wearing thin, with frustration aired more openly in private in recent weeks. Anthony Albanese has told colleagues Labor's fortunes will improve before the next election, but many MPs are unhappy with the economic situation. Concern is focused on inflation, interest rates and the government's cost-of-living message, while some MPs are angry at Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Analysts say a frontbench reshuffle may be needed, with little relief from pressures expected before the year's end.
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Former Liberal advisers Tony Barry and Niki Savva, sitting in for Barrie Cassidy, look at the media attention Josh Frydenberg has drawn this week while promoting his new memoir. They debate whether the former treasurer should seek to return to the Kooyong seat and pursue his ambition of becoming prime minister. The panel also considers Anthony Albanese's apparent difficulty in presenting an economic vision amid the cost-of-living pressures, and why they believe this could create risks for the Labor government.
Tensions between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers are growing. The rift followed a backlash over the tax office's plan to stop credit card payments for tax debts. The government reversed course last Friday, delaying the ban until the end of the financial year. Albanese then claimed credit for the move, which Chalmers denied was a split. Labor faces pressure from One Nation's rising polling support and concern over the economy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry that a partial retreat on the tax office's credit card ban was his doing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers denied being overruled and said the two had agreed on the change. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor seized on the remark, calling it a humiliation for the treasurer. The column says the remark was probably careless rather than a deliberate snub. It also notes Health Minister Mark Butler has emerged as a leading contender to succeed Albanese.
Trade Minister Don Farrell says Coalition MPs walked out of a meeting on the EU trade deal. Other developments include the Reserve Bank warning that a staff pay rise will not proceed if rejected ahead of a vote. Nationals MPs brought pineapples to parliament to warn against risky imports. Coalition bid to send the trust tax bill to an inquiry failed for now.
A constitutional expert has labelled a $6 million grant to a golf club in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate as “grey corruption”. Anne Twomey, a University of Sydney professor emerita, submitted the assessment to a Senate inquiry. The grant was awarded under a closed, non-competitive process last July. Twomey described the scheme as a “farce” and said the funding was a misuse of public money.
A constitutional expert has labelled a $6 million grant to a golf club in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate as “grey corruption”. Anne Twomey, a University of Sydney professor emerita, submitted the assessment to a Senate inquiry. The grant was awarded under a closed, non-competitive process last July. Twomey described the scheme as a “farce” and said the funding was a misuse of public money.
Pacific leaders have called for follow-through on climate action as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese departed a pre-COP climate event in Tuvalu and Fiji. Energy Minister Chris Bowen defended the event, stating it was a first step in increasing Pacific focus for COP31. The High Court has ruled in favour of a Hunter Valley community group in Australia's first climate change case, setting a potential national precedent for assessing projects based on climate impacts. Albanese announced a $7.29 million package to accelerate renewable energy rollout in the Pacific and a $3 million investment to protect infrastructure from climate change.
