Australian Politics

Protesters around Australia, including Nick McKim and other Greens MPs, gathered to express opposition to the visit of the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, this week. The Greens senator tells political editor, Tom McIlroy, that the confronting scenes of police aggression towards protesters in Sydney was a “massive overreach”. McKim is the Greens spokesperson for economic justice and treasury, and is now leading a parliamentary inquiry into the 50% capital gains tax discount. Labor has not ruled out possible changes to the generous tax breaks for investors ahead of the May budget. The Tasmanian senator argues that, with Greens’ support, the government can “marry up the politics and the policy” to meaningfully addressing the housing crisis

After the Reserve Bank’s first rate hike in more than two years, Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, speaks to the economics editor, Patrick Commins, and Lea Jurkovic, the economics correspondent at the Australian Financial Review, about the indicators that informed the central bank’s decision this week. They also discuss the ongoing vulnerabilities in the economy, the missed opportunities when the RBA doesn’t comment on government spending and the maturity lacking in the political debate about interest rates

The messy fallout of the Coalition’s breakup continues this week with Sussan Ley and David Littleproud attempting to weather criticisms of their leadership after the Bondi terror attack. LNP moderate Andrew Wallace speaks to political editor Tom McIlroy about his support for Sussan Ley, and describes her as ‘principled’ and ‘tough’ under very difficult circumstances. The shadow attorney general also says that he is ‘relatively comfortable’ with the hate speech legislation that divided the Coalition, which was passed last week. Politics aside, Wallace talks about volunteering as a surf lifesaver on the Sunshine Coast and is candid about the challenges of being a father of four while serving as a MP

In the first Guardian Essential poll after the Bondi terror attack, both Anthony Albanese and Sussan Ley have fallen in their approval ratings. Meanwhile, One Nation’s support continues to rise and now disrupts the traditional two-horse race in Australian politics. Guardian Australia political reporter Josh Butler speaks to Essential Media director Peter Lewis about why both major parties need to pay attention to One Nation’s popularity – despite the minor party currently having little policy offerings

In an eventful start to parliament for 2026, MPs came together with condolences for the victims of the Bondi terror attack and passed hurried reforms on guns and hate speech. And then, on the national day of mourning on Thursday, the Coalition split for the second time and Sussan Ley’s leadership is now all but over. Guardian Australia political editor, Tom McIlroy, speaks to the independent MP for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, whose electorate includes Bondi, about why she thinks politics can often stand in the way of community safety. She also discusses her concerns that migrants could become a political target during this time of fear and grief