Political Capital

Abundance may be the government’s new bible, but Treasury is warning that deregulation alone won’t fix Australia’s structural problems.

The upcoming Economic Reform Roundtable won’t bring sweeping change overnight. But it could signal the start of a serious shift towards the reform agenda its name implies.

Anthony Albanese is edging toward recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN, but his own red lines on Hamas and the Palestinian Authority may prove impossible to satisfy.

Labor is doling out committee consolation prizes while the Coalition unravels over net zero. But with few new policies, the Albanese government risks drifting post-victory.

The Coalition is in disarray and unable to scrutinise. It's a problem for anyone who believes governments in a Westminster system must be made to justify themselves.

Sussan Ley's most challenging task begins today as she seeks to revive the Coalition.

Labor and the Coalition are both attempting to rewrite the history of Australia’s China reset. But neither party is telling the full story of what is arguably a rare bipartisan success.

Anthony Albanese wants a slice of China’s green steel revolution. But Beijing may want more than just trade in return — and Australia, out of all countries, should know it.

As Anthony Albanese invokes John Curtin’s legacy, his AUKUS commitments reveal a gap between the promise of independence and deeper US military ties.

As Anthony Albanese heads to China, Beijing’s AI trade push underscores Australia’s delicate balance between economic opportunity and security risk.

Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino has inherited some of the government’s most politically sensitive policies — but so far, he’s keeping his cards close to his chest.

As Anthony Albanese prepares for a fourth meeting with Xi Jinping, his long-awaited first handshake with Donald Trump is still out of reach.

The Albanese government insists it can deliver AUKUS and keep Washington happy without lifting defence spending — but a new NATO benchmark is raising the stakes.

Anthony Albanese once warned against US-led pre-emptive strikes. Two decades later, he’s backing them — albeit after a confused 24-hour pause.

Anthony Albanese campaigned on stability, but with a reform summit on the horizon and Jim Chalmers talking ambition, Labor could be preparing to shift gears.

Anthony Albanese came to Canada ready to talk tariffs and submarines. But Donald Trump skipped town to deal with the turmoil in the Middle East instead.

As Albanese tours allies abroad, Trump's AUKUS review and rising US demands put pressure on Australia’s defence commitments.

The prime minister has begun outlining steps to move the economy from being propped up by government spending to the private sector.

As Labor clings to its super tax, the Liberals are still searching for an economic agenda. One idea that might have helped was killed off before it even got a hearing.

Party turncoats rarely land on their feet, but that hasn’t stopped Anthony Albanese from collecting them.

Both Sussan Ley and David Littleproud face dissent from within after this week's reunification of the Coalition and shadow ministry announcement.

In the new Senate, Labor will be able to pass its super tax tweaks with the support of the Greens — but they may demand changes.

Regardless of whether the Liberals and Nationals strike an agreement, 48 hours of public recriminations won't be forgotten lightly.

The Coalition has split for the first time in decades after talks between Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud broke down. Plus: Labor holds the line on its super tax plan.

Labor’s super tax plan could hinge on how the Greens party recalibrates under new leader Larissa Waters.

Sussan Ley’s historic elevation gives the Liberal Party a fresh face. But without a compelling economic agenda, her leadership risks being undermined by a deeper identity crisis.

Anthony Albanese promised order and discipline — but the ruthless factional purge of senior ministers Mark Dreyfus and Ed Husic reveals the brutal calculus of power inside Labor.

Facing an uncertain electoral future, the Liberal Party must choose between competing visions for its revival in the wake of Peter Dutton’s historic defeat.

Anthony Albanese's emphatic victory has entrenched Labor as the natural party of government and relegated the Liberals to being a party that doesn't represent metropolitan voters.

The preferences of One Nation voters will go a long way to deciding whether Anthony Albanese is in majority or minority government after the election.

While the cost of living has been the main focus of this campaign, debate today will turn to how to fix the budget as the Coalition promises to cut debt by $40 billion in its long-awaited costings.

Appearing in a seat that should have already been in the bag strengthens claims that Peter Dutton’s campaign is floundering.

Labor has now put out its costings and says Peter Dutton should do the same. It's just one more challenge for the opposition as it seeks to turn things around before election day.

While Peter Dutton managed to get under Anthony Albanese's skin during last night's debate, it also showed the opposition leader still has a long way to go to convince swinging voters.

In announcing his long-awaited defence plan, Peter Dutton has again opened himself up to perceptions that policy is being made up on the run.

Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have made some dubious claims that have bordered on lying. The difference is Labor's ones are cutting through.

As both major parties extend their suspension of hostilities after the pope's death, Anthony Albanese is continuing to benefit from the lowered expectations he set for himself in 2024.

With Peter Dutton too often being loose and Anthony Albanese having a tenuous grasp on the truth, both leaders landed blows on Wednesday night.

Capital Brief spent time in two electorates that demonstrate the balancing act required of Peter Dutton as he seeks to win government.