‘PM comes out fighting’: what the UK papers say as Starmer battles on Prime minister stares down growing call for his resignation amid the Peter Mandelson-Epstein scandal The Guardian - AU · Feb 10
Yes, One Nation’s poll numbers are climbing. But major party status – let alone government – is still a long way off Recent polling has delivered a spike for the anti-immigration party One Nation, triggering media speculation that Australian politics is on the cusp of a populist realignment. The Conversation · Feb 9
Coalition touts era of trust, unity after bitter split The leaders of the federal Liberal and National parties have struck a deal to get the coalition back together, ending a very public and damaging separation. AAP · Feb 7
No rush to kiss and make up as leaders stick at talks Nationals MP say they owe it to their voters to make sure any resumption of the coalition isn't beset by the threat of further divorces. AAP · Feb 3
Polls are snapshots, not predictions: how to read them critically this election year With nine months to go, how much can opinion polls tell us about the general election on November 7? Short answer: not much. The Conversation · Feb 3
Nationals sent to back benches after coalition divorce The dramatic breakup of the coalition has left the Liberals as the official opposition while the Nationals languish on the cross bench. AAP · Feb 2
Sussan Ley fills frontbench holes temporarily, giving a brief window for Nationals to rethink Coalition split Opposition Leader Sussan Ley on Friday allocated responsibilities formerly held by the Nationals to existing Liberal shadow ministers on a temporary basis. The Conversation · Jan 30
View from The Hill: Nationals rebel stirs the pot but Littleproud is dug in A little-known Nationals MP, Queenslander Colin Boyce, who declared on Wednesday he will move for a spill of the party’s leadership, has tossed a grenade but David Littleproud appears firmly dug in. The Conversation · Jan 28
Nationals MP’s challenge to Littleproud’s leadership ‘out of the blue’ and doomed to fail, colleagues say Colin Boyce to challenge for the leadership next week, saying party was at risk of going off ‘political cliff’ The Guardian - AU · Jan 28
New Zealand's Judith 'Crusher' Collins to quit politics Judith Collins, the former leader of New Zealand's conservative National party, is quitting politics after 24 years filled with highs and lows. AAP · Jan 28
The Liberals’ fatal flaw was becoming Nationals-lite. Here’s how they can come back from the brink If the conservative parties want to stop bleeding votes to One Nation and teals, their focus needs to be on economic management and housing, especially in urban seats The Guardian - AU · Jan 27
Letitia Wright, Cate Blanchett and Sandra Oh to star in National Theatre shows Lineup for 2026 includes a Molière adaptation and a mash-up of Sophocles and Ingmar Bergman The Guardian - UK · Jan 27
Economy behind NZ PM Luxon's 10-month election call New Zealanders already know their election date - November 7 - when the economy should determine whether Chris Luxon's right-wing coalition gets a second term. AAP · Jan 25
‘British FBI’ to take over counter-terror and fraud probes under police reforms The National Police Service will be created to crack down on serious and complex crimes. Evening Standard · Jan 24
The Conversation · Jan 21 Nationals break Coalition, declaring it ‘untenable’ and blaming Ley The federal Coalition is dead, with Nationals leader David Littleproud on Thursday morning declaring it “untenable” after Liberal leader Sussan Ley stared down the Liberals’ minor partner.
The Guardian - AU · Jan 21 Liberal MPs say Ley’s leadership badly weakened after Nationals quit ‘untenable’ Coalition David Littleproud says Sussan Ley was ‘aware of the consequences’ of divide over hate speech laws
The Guardian - AU · Jan 21 New Zealand prime minister sets date for 2026 election Cost of living likely to dominate the agenda ahead of 7 November poll as centre-right National party battles to retain power
The Independent UK · Jan 21 New Zealand election scheduled for Nov. 7 with the costs of living and housing the top issue New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced a national election will be held Nov. 7
The Guardian - AU · Jan 21 Coalition in crisis as entire Nationals frontbench quits after division over Labor’s hate speech laws David Littleproud and seven other frontbench colleagues resign their positions after Sussan Ley accepted resignations from three Nationals senators
AAP · Jan 20 Luxon sets November 7 as New Zealand poll day Prime Minister Chris Luxon has named November 7 as New Zealand's election day, but Kiwis may not take kindly to a 10-month election campaign.
The Guardian - UK · Jan 13 Lovers and fighters: how Les Liaisons Dangereuses reveals the passions of Christopher Hampton As the writer turns 80, his masterful adaptation of the French novel is being revived at the National Theatre. It highlights his lifelong interest in political power play
The Guardian - UK · Jan 11 Bob Weir was a songwriting powerhouse for the Grateful Dead – and the chief custodian of their legacy ‘The Kid’s jazz-influenced rhythm guitar made him utterly integral to the Dead and his later collaborations solidified the band’s influence over latter-day alt-rock
The Guardian - UK · Jan 6 Frank Dunlop obituary Founder of the Young Vic who later became the director of the Edinburgh international festival
AAP · Jan 6 Nationals great Ron Boswell, more effective than pretty Ron Boswell was a deal-maker and implacable opponent of extremists during his 31 years as a Queensland senator.
The Conversation · Dec 31, 2025 Cabinet papers 2005: WorkChoices, Afghanistan and climate change take centre stage Today, the National Archives of Australia (NAA) released a key selection of records of the Australian Cabinet and its National Security Committee from 2005.