DARK SECRETS: 7 | Rare Historical Photos

Do parties win elections because of their leaders, or in spite of them? History shows it’s a bit of both

The upcoming federal election will see the incumbent Labor prime minister, Anthony Albanese, face off against Liberal opposition leader, Peter Dutton. We’ll likely see a strong focus on the personal qualities and performance of the two leaders.

The Conversation · Feb 12, 2025

Byelections show Labor is in trouble in Victoria – but how much will Peter Dutton benefit?

Is history repeating itself in Labor’s fortress state of Victoria?

The Conversation · Feb 11, 2025

Trump’s latest tariff bid shows the old rules of trade no longer apply. Scraps of paper will not save us

A 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports, as flagged by the US president, is more evidence that Australia cannot rely on our ally to do good by us

The Guardian - AU · Feb 10, 2025

Australia kept quiet about early deployment of forces ahead of Iraq war, cabinet papers show

The Howard government sent military personnel to the Middle East well before officially authorising Australia’s involvement

The Guardian - AU · Dec 31, 2024

A cost-of-living election: Howard ministers agreed to $4bn in last-minute spending in 2004

Cabinet papers released on 1 January show senior ministers signed off on funding the day parliament was dissolved before the October 2004 election

The Guardian - AU · Dec 31, 2024

Curbs on transgender rights were proposed for Australia’s 2004 Marriage Act, cabinet papers show

John Howard’s government legislated that marriage must be ‘the union of a man and a woman’, but excluded any reference to birth gender

The Guardian - AU · Dec 31, 2024

Human rights touted despite expected detention backlash

Criticism was predicted as Australia prepared to show off its human rights record while upholding some of the world's most notorious anti-refugee policies.

AAP · Dec 31, 2024

How conservatives 'got in first' to block gay marriage

Australia's decision to ban gay marriage in 2004 would not be reversed for 13 years, but a former prime minister maintains the move reflected public opinion.

AAP · Dec 31, 2024

Howard confronts Iraq War call as documents unearthed

Previously secret documents show concerns over a wheat scandal derailing Australia's commercial interests and plans to reshape Iraq as a free-market haven.

AAP · Dec 31, 2024

Housing woes and cost of living a re-run of 2004 poll

Costs at the cash register, aged-care reform and house prices were key concerns of John Howard's cabinet ahead of the 2004 election, documents show.

AAP · Dec 31, 2024