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Budget spendingCommentsPremiumJosh Frydenberg dodges issue of post-election cuts

The Treasurer has not ruled out spending cuts following the next election to rein in the country’s rapidly mounting debt, stating the Morrison Government is ‘focused on the here and now’.

Josh Zimmerman

Onward and upwardCommentsPremiumBudget shows it’s about time Coalition embraced change

‘Change’ and ‘the Coalition’ don’t usually go hand-in-glove. But anyone who experienced the Australian aged care sector, or known someone with a mental illness, can tell you progress is long overdue.

Jenna Clarke

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Immigration shake-upCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Plan to bring in thousands of skilled overseas workers

The national skilled migration program would be flipped on its head to open the door to thousands more foreign workers under a drastic overhaul being considered by a Federal Government inquiry.

Josh Zimmerman

Left behindVideoCommentsPremiumDozens of Aussie mercy flight seats to go unfilled

Authorities are tonight scrambling to replace passengers on a mercy flight out of India after more than 40 returned positive swabs as part of a strict pre-flight testing regime.

Josh Zimmerman

‘Attorney-client privilege’PremiumPorter defamation case put on hold due to lawyer spat

Christian Porter’s defamation action against the ABC has been temporarily paused after a likely witness in the case sought orders to prevent a high-profile barrister from representing him.

Josh Zimmerman

‘That’s what allies do’CommentsPremiumUS warns China against ‘economic coercion’ of Australia

The US has pledged its alliance with Australia amid rising tensions with China, saying it will not be left ‘alone on the field’ in standing up to Beijing.

Sarah Ison

opinion
opinion
Mark RileyCommentsPremium
opinion
Will Albo resist urge to splurge in Budget reply?

Anthony Albanese will aim to find a path to deliver on policies without the big spending promised by Josh Frydenberg in this week’s Federal Budget, writes Mark Riley.

Mark Riley

Mark RileySeven News Political Editor

Unwanted ‘milestone’PremiumConfidence in Fed Govt sliced and diced by scandals

A new survey has revealed the damaging hit to Australians’ confidence in their federal leaders in the wake of ugly sexual assault and harassment scandals plaguing Canberra.

Sarah Ison

analysis
analysis
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
analysis
Albo’s Budget reply an election audition for the people

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese declared he wanted to be Prime Minister and build a ‘better future’ for Australians as he delivered Labor’s Budget reply tonight.

Lanai Scarr

Bad lookCommentsPremiumFormer Dockers coach apologises for shooting joke

Former Fremantle coach turned Federal MP Damian Drum has been forced to apologise for a joke he made about a man shooting his wife, the same night the Government revealed a women’s safety package.

Serious allegationsPremiumReynolds gives statement to police about Higgins case

WA Federal MP Linda Reynolds has given an official statement to police about the alleged rape of her ex-staffer Brittany Higgins.

‘Better future’CommentsPremiumAlbo pledges $10b for social housing in Budget reply

Anthony Albanese has put social housing at the centre of his plan for economic growth, promising 30,000 new Government-subsidised homes for Australians in Labor’s Budget reply delivered tonight.

Lanai Scarr

Heading homeVideoCommentsPremiumNSW Govt allows Aussie cricketers to isolate in Sydney

Superstar cricketers Steve Smith, Patrick Cummins and the rest of the Australians who fled the Indian Premier League bubble for the Maldives are on track to return home as early as Sunday.

R&D ignoredPremiumWA biotechs lament patent box’s revenue hurdle

The Federal Government’s new “patent box” initiative does little to support early stage companies yet to start generating a revenue stream, WA industry experts say.

Kate Purnell

Switching offCommentsPremiumNo phones, no Dixers: Plan to reform Question Time

A committee of Liberal and Labor MPs want to drastically overhaul a part of Parliament that has developed a reputation for raucous theatre.

Josh Zimmerman

Moderna dealCommentsPremiumAustralia could provide world with AstraZeneca jabs

Australia could provide its domestically-manufactured AstraZeneca vaccines to the rest of the world, after securing 25 million doses of another vaccine, says Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.

Sarah Ison

opinion
opinion
Glaring budget omissionCommentsPremium
opinion
How the COVID crisis will open the door for Labor

Last year’s interstate borders battle hurt the Liberal Party badly and a squabble over quarantine could cause similar political damage.

Peter Law

Peter LawState Political Editor

Quarantine planVideoCommentsPM hints at overseas travel for vaccinated Aussies

Australians who are vaccinated could be able to travel overseas and return in a ‘modified quarantine arrangement’, the Prime Minister has revealed.

Sarah Ison

Falling shortPremiumPriced out: Single parent homebuying scheme under fire

The government’s new solo parent homebuying scheme won’t help many families get the home they want, despite all the fanfare.

Rebecca Di Nuzzo and Nathan Mawby

Federal BudgetPremiumCalls Budget lacks skills shortage & quarantine funds

The lack of funding to fix Australia’s hotel quarantine system and address worsening labour shortages are the missing pieces in an otherwise “high-scoring” Budget, WA business leaders say.

Danielle Le Messurier

Budget 2021CommentsPremiumWhat’s in the Federal Budget for First Nation’s people

What does this year’s Budget mean for Indigenous Australians? It depends on who you ask.

Rangi Hirini

Critical resourceCommentsPremiumBudget boost was built on iron ore, says Joyce

Barnaby Joyce said without iron ore and other key resources, the Budget would have been worse for wear.

Sarah Ison

Early educationCommentsPremiumBudget can’t stop child care ‘workforce crisis’

Billions of dollars in additional subsidies will do nothing to address the ‘workforce crisis’ engulfing early childhood education, with advocates warning of nationwide staff shortages.

Josh Zimmerman

Economic recoveryCommentsPremiumScott Morrison’s warning to States on border closures

Australia’s international borders will remain closed until next year but the Prime Minister says States shouldn’t think of doing the same thing.

Sarah Ison & Josh Zimmerman