Insiders

Analysis: The federal budget isn't banking on Trump's promises

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's clear that whatever this unpredictable US president says, the Albanese government isn't expecting a return to normal oil flows any time soon.

Grief, anger and a demand for change in the country's red centre

02 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The death of Kumanjayi Little Baby prompts calls for urgent action to confront systemic failures in remote indigenous communities.Nationals Leader Ma...

Government's NDIS shakeup and Coalition leaves door ajar on property tax breaks

25 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The government is spending some political capital. They've announced plans to rein in the NDIS and are inching closer to revealing changes to proper...

Analysis: Are NDIS cuts the exception or the template?

22 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As far as tough budget decisions go, we haven't seen anything on this scale since Joe Hockey's ill-fated 2014 effort.

Strait Talk: US-Iran peace stalled

18 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Peace has stalled in the Strait of Hormuz. 

Analysis: Albanese government's frustration rises alongside fuel prices

15 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fuel prices and inflation aren't the only metrics climbing as the Strait of Hormuz remains shut. The Albanese government's level of frustration is ri...

Make or break US-Iran peace talks, amid ongoing global fuel crisis

11 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The US and Iran hold make or break peace talks to end the war. But there's no end to the fuel crisis.

The Middle East war enters its second month, as the fuel crisis bites harder

28 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

But the big question remains: Does Donald Trump have a strategy to end the Middle East war?

A Labor landslide in SA, as the fuel crisis deepens

21 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It was a double whammy for Australian households this week: an interest rate rise and climbing fuel prices amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. E...

Three more Iranian football members leave Aus, as Joyce regrets not securing fuel supply

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Another three members of the Iranian women's football team have decided to return home, days after being granted humanitarian visas to stay in Austra...

A week of war in the Middle East

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump is now demanding Iran's unconditional surrender – and a say in who runs the country.

Trump announces Iran's Supreme Leader dead, following US-Israel strikes

28 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A fresh Middle East conflict is underway, as Donald Trump announces the death of Iran's Supreme Leader.

Analysis: Threat against PM is not a bizarre outlier

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's tempting to treat the evacuation of the prime minister from the Lodge this week as a bizarre outlier but that would miss the point.

What is the government doing about 'ISIS families' wanting to return?

21 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Government hardens its stance on 'ISIS families' trying to leave Syria.

Taylor Takeover

14 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Angus Taylor takes over a Liberal Party in crisis – in what he calls a change or die moment.

Coalition on track to reunite, as interest rates put pressure on the Treasurer

07 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Coalition on track to reunite after a messy split.

Inflation spike and leadership infighting

31 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Parliament returns this week – and while the government is bracing for an interest rate rise – both the Liberal and National Parties are riven by...

Parliament returns for emergency laws, as Coalition implodes

24 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For much of the summer, it was the Prime Minister under intense pressure over his response to the Bondi tragedy.Anthony Albanese said the emergency s...

Australian kids brace for a world-first experiment as they're booted off social media

06 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australian kids are bracing for a world-first experiment as they're booted off social media, while the parliament winds up after a huge year. 

PM ends parliamentary year with a win and a wedding

29 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister ends the parliamentary year with a win and a wedding.

Analysis: The Albanese government has unfinished business

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The level of the prime minister's reform appetite has been discussed and debated since roughly 9pm on election night in May, when Labor's massive win...

Sussan Ley tries to survive while the government pushes environmental laws

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're heading into the final week of parliament of the year.The government wants to finish with a win – by passing its overhaul of environment laws...

The Liberal Party takes a huge gamble

15 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Liberal Party has just taken a huge gamble.In a weakened political position – and under pressure from the Nationals – the net zero target is ...

The long road to treaty | Insiders On Background

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a very long road – but Australia’s first treaty with Aboriginal people in Victoria has now been signed and formalised as law.

Coalition net-zero crunch time

08 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After 6 months of agonising – it's crunch time for the Liberal Party, with MPs to thrash out a position on the net-zero climate target this week.

Analysis: Sussan Ley is skating on thin ice

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If, as expected, the net zero target is abandoned, the long delay in reaching this point will leave the Liberals looking like they've capitulated onc...

Can the Coalition survive the Nat's net-zero rethink?

01 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Nationals have walked away from the net zero target dialling up pressure on Liberal leader Sussan Ley.

Full steam ahead on AUKUS and critical minerals after the Albanese-Trump meeting

25 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was a win in Washington for the Prime Minister, with one of the smoothest meetings any foreign leader has had with Donald Trump.

Analysis: A rare glimpse into Trump's thinking

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For all the celebration of Anthony Albanese's friendly visit to the White House and the happy news on AUKUS and critical minerals, there was somethin...

What will happen at the long-awaited Albanese-Trump meeting?

18 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With rare earths under one arm, and possibly another AUKUS down-payment under the other, the Prime Minister is preparing for his long-awaited Oval Of...

Analysis: Australia sees opportunity in China-US rare earths dispute

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Trump may have expressed "shock", but his administration is clearly not surprised at China's willingness to flex its dominance on rare earths. 

What does 'peace' in Middle East look like?

11 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After two years of war, there is hope of peace in the Middle East.

Analysis: Department of Communications not living up to its job title

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government is determined to avoid wearing any blame for Optus's failure but also needs to be transparent about how it handled even dodgy early ad...

What are the next steps in Trump's Gaza peace plan?

04 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It is a fast moving situation in the Middle East, after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a 20 point p...

Insiders in London: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicates another referendum not on his agenda

27 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Insiders is live from London.  

Insiders in New York: Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen focused on results, not Trump-Albanese meeting

20 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Insiders is live from New York, where world leaders are meeting for the United Nations General Assembly.  

Defence Minister Richard Marles commits $12 billion to AUKUS defence hub in WA

13 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As doubts linger over the AUKUS security agreement's future, the Albanese government has acted.

Analysis: Albanese government about to make one of its biggest decisions since the election

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese has long argued being serious on climate change is the "entry fee" for credibility in the Pacific. 

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley won't apologise for Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price's migration comments

06 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

China flexes its new diplomatic and military might in a grand parade.From the Australian government's perspective, the rapprochement between China an...

Analysis: What's the cost of support for Australia's migration program?

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The sight of neo-Nazis trying to whip up community anger and recruit new followers drove home to all how criticism of Australia's migration program c...

Coalition MP Julian Leeser says federal governement created 'atmosphere' for Iran's anti-Semitic attacks

30 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the past two years, the Government has resisted calls to list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation. 

How should governments respond to the 'sovereign citizen' movement? || Insiders: On Background

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For years, experts have warned of the dangers of the so-called sovereign citizen movement. 

Analysis: Iran is guilty but the political brawl over antisemitism goes on

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There is bipartisan support for expelling the Iranian ambassador and listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, but no end to the political brawl ...

More steps to be taken on tax reform, says Treasurer Jim Chalmers

23 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The roundtable is over, and there's consensus on broad tax reform goals.

Analysis: So much for the union 'stitch-up' predicted by the Coalition

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The treasurer's priority in this term has shifted from tackling cost of living to productivity and the unions are yet to score a victory.

Coalition frontbencher Tim Wilson says government didn't consult opposition on Palestinian recognition

16 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump pivots on Ukraine – after his friendly meeting with Vladimir Putin. He’s dropped calls for a ceasefire and is now backing Russia’s...

Australia's defence spending is actually closer to 3 per cent says US Senator | Insiders

16 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A senior US Senator says Australia's level of defence spending is much closer to 3% of GDP – if shipyards and other defence infrastructure is inclu...

Acting Prime Minister says recognition of Palestinian state does not encourage Hamas

09 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has indicated he does not see recognition of a Palestinian state as encouraging Hamas. 

Analysis: Jim Chalmers is pitching himself as a Goldilocks on AI

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government is trying to strike the right balance between preventing mass redundancies forced by AI, while also preventing Australia falling behin...

ACTU calls for negative gearing reforms to be back on the table

02 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The ACTU has called on the federal government to look at negative gearing and capital gains tax reforms at its upcoming productivity roundtable. 

Analysis: Anthony Albanese hardens on Israel as pressure builds within Labor caucus

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia now has some cover to follow the UK and France on a Palestinian state without fearing a backlash from the US.

Prime Minister crticises Israel over Gaza starvation

26 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Analysis: Australia's childcare woes are about more than just access

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The focus on improving access is only one part of the problem when it comes to childcare, as the government has discovered.

From the Great Wall of China to the great weight of domestic expectations

19 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister is back in the country for the resumption of parliament this week. He's in a commanding political position and we're about to see...

Analysis: Albanese's China visit is a counterpoint to Trump's chaos

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

China doesn't want to kick up too much dust as it presents a friendlier face to the major US allies in this region: Australia, Japan and South Korea....

Trade talks, more Trump tariffs, and a big trip to China

12 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's going to be a week of tough trade talks - with Beijing and with Washington.

Parents shell shocked as Governments race to restore trust

05 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Parents were left shell shocked after a childcare worker responsible for caring for young children was charged with dozens of child sex offences.

Bombs dropped, a ceasefire agreed, NATO members boost defence spending

28 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bombs dropped – a ceasefire agreed – and NATO members boost defence spending.

Donald Trump confirms multiple strikes on Iran

21 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The US has entered another conflict in the Middle East. 

Anthony Albanese prepares ground for first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump

07 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It is not locked in yet, but the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is laying down markers for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. 

Analysis: Defence chief's warning ramps up pressure on Albanese ahead of G7 summit

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia's defence chief has issued a very deliberate warning about the dangerous outlook facing Australia.

Donald Trump strikes again, vowing to double tariffs on steel and aluminium

31 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has flagged a further trade hit, hurting exporters and adding to global volatility. And the decision to green light the extension of a m...

Analysis: The Coalition now has two months to address its splits before parliament resumes

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The opposition now has two months to settle down internal tensions before parliament resumes. When it does, the prime minister won't be giving them a...

Analysis: Will Labor seize the moment and make big reforms or waste a rare opportunity

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Research shows voters want the government to seize the moment after its landslide win and do something big.

'Two separate party rooms': Liberals and Nationals still thrashing out Coalition agreement

18 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister is in Rome this morning, after a visit to Jakarta.

Analysis: Anthony Albanese knows he isn't politically invincible

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Liberals will need as much time as possible before taking on a prime minister determined to tidy up outstanding problems.

Ed Husic labels Deupty Prime Minister Marles 'factional assassin'

10 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The fall-out from Labor’s landslide election win has been almost as extraordinary as the result itself. The leadership of the Liberals, Nationals, ...

Analysis: Tim Wilson might still back nuclear but the Coalition is divided

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Nationals remain wedded to nuclear while the Liberals are more divided.

Labor's landslide election win

03 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese enters the history books – while Peter Dutton exits the parliament. 

Albanese and Dutton race to the election finish line

26 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're into the final week of the election campaign – and this morning we're in the marginal seat of McEwan. Peter Dutton has been here several time...

Analysis: Peter Dutton is treading carefully when it comes to China

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The opposition leader is being cautious with his language as he doesn't want to turn off Chinese-Australian voters, as the Coalition did last electio...

Coalition losing ground ahead of early voting

19 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With two weeks to go in this election race – polls continue to show the Coalition losing ground. Support for Peter Dutton is slipping away in the v...

Analysis: The next week is crucial in the election campaign

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The third week on the campaign trail will be critical, before the Easter break and the commencement of early voting, and polls suggest the contest re...

Tariff turmoil right in the middle of the election campaign

05 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We knew they were coming – but few expected Donald Trump's tariffs to go this far.

Analysis: Peter Dutton is caught in a Trump-shaped wedge

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The opposition leader is trying to talk to two audiences: the pro-Trump supporters on his right flank, and the Trump-anxious voters in the middle. 

Election 2025 is off and racing! || Insiders

29 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A hip-pocket bidding war. Competing plans for the power sector. And taunts about Donald Trump. 

Analysis: Dutton is grappling with his fourth major political call as opposition leader

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Politics is about principles and the opposition leader's decision to say no to a tax cut sends a signal. 

Labor promises energy bill relief; Coalition "won't stand in the way"

22 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

More energy bill relief being promised in the latest pre-election sweetener from the government.

Analysis: As the federal budget nears, the only sure thing is uncertainty

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If two ongoing wars weren't enough uncertainty into which to deliver a federal budget, there's the precariousness of the Trump administration's trade...

Bandt calls for govt to "get out" of AUKUS, amid uncertainty over the US alliance

15 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump smashing norms on both the trade and security front.

Analysis: Labor ditches softly-softly approach to Trump

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government is banking on voters appreciating that this time around with Trump is different.

Labor's third thumping WA election win

09 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was the win Labor expected in Western Australia, but what does the state's contest tell us about the upcoming federal election?

After Trump & Zelenskyy's heated clash - what now for Ukraine?

02 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's jaw dropping clash in the Oval Office caused global shockwaves and left allie...

Analysis: Trump is set on tariffs, and he wants allies like Australia to lift defence spending

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump is determined to impose tariffs and linked to the trade threat is a requirement for allies to lift their defence spending.

Labor goes big on $8.5b medicare election promise, but who is footing the bill?

23 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The election date may not have been announced yet, but all the factors of a campaign are beginning to shine.The Albanese government has announced a b...

Analysis: Will Dutton stand in the way of cost-of-living relief?

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Coalition has blamed inflation on government spending. It remains unclear if it will hold the line and oppose further relief to struggling househ...

Donald Trump's trade threats, and what it means for Australia

15 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As an election looms, there's one man who could disrupt both the campaign and the economy - Donald Trump. His plans to punish trading partners are mo...

On Background: How to negotiate with Trump?

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As speculation builds over when the prime minister will call an election, another major player looms over the campaign — Donald Trump. The US presi...

Analysis: The tariffs problem is more about the Coalition than Rudd

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing to highlight Labor's past critique of Donald Trump carries political risk for the Coalition. Not least because it ignores what's really dr...

How to deal with Donald Trump 2.0

08 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How to deal with Donald Trump 2.0?

On Background: Will Trump's trade war hurt Australia?

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The world was understandably gripped this week by Donald Trump's rather surprising suggestion that the US might take ownership of Gaza and turn it in...

Analysis: Albanese's careful formula for dealing with Trump

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Heads are best kept below the parapet for now, in what's already proving to be a more difficult environment to navigate than the first Trump presiden...

The election year begins

01 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hopes of a rate cut. Fears of another antisemitic attack. The election year begins with intense debate over the economy and national security. Opposi...

On Background: Will RBA cut rates?

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wednesday's inflation figures came in lower than either the Reserve Bank or most market economists predicted. So, will we see a rate cut in February?...

Analysis: The ball is in the RBA's court on interest rates

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's the start of the election year Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers were banking on and the reason why talk of an early poll, either late last year...

On Background: Election year preview

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Happy new year. And happy election year! We may not know exactly when Anthony Albanese will send us all to the polls – but we do know it has to hap...

Parliament adjourns for the year, as election looms

30 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government heads into the summer break with a major win.

On Background: Immigration crackdown

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The final week of parliament for the year has involved an avalanche of legislation. Most of it has been well ventilated and debated over recent month...

Analysis: A week of parliamentary whiplash and the PM's dropped promises

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Before the last election, Anthony Albanese often talked about "kicking with the wind" in the final quarter. Now, he's talking about "leaving nothing ...

Social media ban set to pass, as Govt dumps misinformation bill

23 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the clock ticks down on the parliamentary year – it's do or die for a stack of government reforms.