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Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles says there will be an Australia Day function at Australia House in London next year.

Personnel increase, but no ship to Red Sea: Marles

Marles reiterates Australia’s Pacific focus; Talks continue for fresh ceasefire in Israel Gaza war; Cape York braces for flooding. Follow updates here.

  • 26 mins ago
  • Maxim Shanahan
After years of promising to unify federal services the government has agreed to expand myGov to cover all major services.

myGov to be single entry portal after agencies told to get on board

All major federal services will be able to be accessed through a single portal after it was agreed to mandate the consolidation of services onto the myGov platform.

  • Tom Burton

ACCC rejects Treasury’s attempts to copy US, NZ merger laws

The competition watchdog has warned Treasury that two of the government’s three proposals for merger reforms would fail to fix systemic problems, leaving consumers, small businesses and farmers worse off.

  • Hannah Wootton

Spending on consultants at 10-year low: Gallagher

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says spending with the big four consulting firms along with Accenture and Scyne is down $240 million so far in 2023-24.

  • Ronald Mizen

Red Sea call ‘risks telegraphing capability concerns to adversaries’

The government’s reluctance to send a warship to the Red Sea has the potential to flag internal concerns to adversaries over Australia’s naval capability, a former naval warfare officer warns.

  • Tom Rabe

MPs drop $30m on expenses in three months

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the pack, spending $684,665 between July and September 2022, newly released data show.

  • Michael Read

Opinion & Analysis

‘Hark the herald angels sing …’ But peace on earth, when?

Does the strife in the Holy Land question the relevance of Christmas, or render its message more urgent?

The super variant of bracket creep

Readers’ letters on super contributions tax; net zero and offshore wind; NT chief minister, Gina Rinehart; Rex ownership; Labor performance; dividend payouts.

Contributor

Albanese is running Australia like a low-energy state premier

Labor would be foolish to blame their poll slide solely on interest rates. Their problem is their model of governance belongs in the cheap-money era.

Tim Wilson and Jason Falinski

Contributor

Corporate Australia needs to clean up and restore trust

Readers’ letters on what CEOs think and what they do; Dutton’s prospects; science curriculum; regulation; ABC’s falling ratings; PM’s poor polling; Gaza conflict.

Contributor

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There is darkness in this Christmas story which is little reflected in the customary cards and carols focussing only on the joy of a new life.

‘Hark the herald angels sing …’ But peace on earth, when?

Does the strife in the Holy Land question the relevance of Christmas, or render its message more urgent?

  • 1 hr ago
  • Colleen O'Reilly

Yesterday

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The super variant of bracket creep

Readers’ letters on super contributions tax; net zero and offshore wind; NT chief minister, Gina Rinehart; Rex ownership; Labor performance; dividend payouts.

“We think it is important that navigation and freedom of movement be allowed [in the Red Sea],” said Anthony Albanese.

PM offers diplomats against Red Sea attacks, no ships

The stance was immediately slammed by the Coalition as weak, out of step with allies, and deaf to the broader inflationary threat posed by the Houthi attacks.

  • Jacob Greber and Matthew Cranston

Diplomatic efforts, not ships, best way to support US: Albanese

State court rules Trump ineligible for presidency; Albanese, NZ prime minister meet; UN vote on Gaza delayed as states seek US support. Here’s how the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Timothy Moore and Maxim Shanahan
The Prime Minister seemingly wanted a Cabinet government, but a Cabinet still needs to be led. He has never demonstrated an interest in the finer details of policy.

Albanese is running Australia like a low-energy state premier

Labor would be foolish to blame their poll slide solely on interest rates. Their problem is their model of governance belongs in the cheap-money era.

  • Tim Wilson and Jason Falinski
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This Month

Abdul Nacer Benbrika leaves Barwon prison on Tuesday.

Convicted terrorist released from jail after 20 years

Abdul Nacer Benbrika had been convicted of plotting terrorist attacks in 2005.

  • Michael Pelly
Frank Lowy speaks at the event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Lowy Institute at Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday night.

Albanese condemns antisemitism amid protests outside Lowy event

The prime minister reiterated his firm opposition to antisemitism in a speech to the Lowy Institute on Tuesday night, as Pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied outside.

  • Jacob Greber and Emma Connors
WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti has revealed a $3.7 billion budget surplus.

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
December 21, 2023

Glen Le Lievre cartoons for 2023

See all of Glen Le Lievre cartoons for 2023.

  • Updated
  • Glen Le Lievre
Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has resigned.

NT chief minister resigns after shares scandal

Natasha Fyles has quit eight months out from an election after failing to declare a parcel of South32 shares.

  • Neve Brissenden

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles resigns

Natasha Fyles has resigned following revelations she holds undisclosed shares in a manganese mine; Westpac warns customers of “intermittent” disruptions. Here’s how the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Gus McCubbing and Lois Maskiell
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has been voted the best performing cabinet member by readers of The Australian Financial Review.

Wong rated best minister for second year: AFR readers

The Foreign Affairs Minister beat a strong showing from Jim Chalmers as Linda Burney was named the worst performer.

  • Tom Rabe
Voters are unimpressed with the Albanese government, marking it down on every key area of focus other than improving the relationship with China.

Voters feel everything is getting worse except China relationship

Cranky voters believe everything from wages to the economy, energy bills and the behaviour of politicians has deteriorated.

  • Phillip Coorey

Corporate Australia needs to clean up and restore trust

Readers’ letters on what CEOs think and what they do; Dutton’s prospects; science curriculum; regulation; ABC’s falling ratings; PM’s poor polling; Gaza conflict.

Fossil Downs Station is a pastoral lease and cattle station located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) north east of Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and is owned  by Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Agriculture.

Climate body targets cattle barons on methane emissions

Some of the nation’s biggest pastoral companies generate enough greenhouse gas emissions to be counted as major polluters, says the Climate Change Authority.

  • Jacob Greber
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Housing crisis the biggest challenge for conservatives, says Boris Johnson
1:11

Housing crisis the biggest challenge for conservatives, says Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson speaks with Jennifer Hewett at The Australian Financial Review Business Person of the Year dinner on December 14, 2023.

  • Updated
Onshore wind is still the second-most popular source for “producing more energy”, but has encountered significant resistance.

Support for wind farms declines but solar still king: poll

The popularity of wind-generated energy has taken a hit in the latest Financial Review/Freshwater Strategy poll, while support for nuclear has lifted a little.

  • Phillip Coorey
Anthony Albanese’s shrinking lead as preferred prime minister is evidence Peter Dutton is not as “unelectable” as some pundits claim.

Dutton’s political tactics are no governing agenda

The problem for the country with the Coalition’s approach of opposing much and proposing little is that the political heat is not being put on Labor to genuinely revamp its policy approach in the new year.

  • The AFR View
The Royal Australian Navy always prioritises its own region, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was still considering the US request for help in the Red Sea.

‘Our region is first priority’: still no answer on ships to Red Sea

The longer the delay, the more likely the answer to a US request for navy assistance in the Red Sea will be “thanks, but no thanks”, a top defence analyst says.

  • Updated
  • Jacob Greber
Damage from cyclone Jasper.

Treasurer warns of ‘billion-dollar impact’ from 10m high floods

Cameron Dick says rain from ex-tropical cyclone Jasper comes at a high price; the Matildas will play for a spot in the Paris Olympics at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium. Here’s how the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lois Maskiell