Home
Search
thewest.com.au
PoliticsChevron Right Icon

Federal Politics

QLDVOTES24 BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos OCTOBER 26, 2024: Voters cast their ballots in Springwood. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

POLITICSPremiumMissing ballots found at AEC worker’s home

Almost 2000 ballots that went missing on election night have been found at the Sydney home of a temporary AEC worker.

Hannah Wilcox

Sussan Ley has been elected Liberal Party leader in the wake of Labor’s landslide federal election. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

UPDATED‘Back to basics’: Senior Lib’s call on new leader

One of the most senior women in the Liberal Party has weighed in on Sussan Ley’s historic election as party leader.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

Not Supplied

POLITICSAustralia’s first steps with allies revealed

Penny Wong has revealed Australia’s first steps with crucial allies as the Prime Minister is expected to touch down in Indonesia on Wednesday.

Hannah Wilcox

The AEC has issued a statement after loosing votes after election night. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

live
live
AustraliaComments
live
‘Concerned’: AEC confirms votes lost after election night

LIVE UPDATES: The Australian Electoral Commission has issued a statement confirming that a batch of votes were lost after election night.

Max Corstorphan

Minister for Small Business Anne Aly poses for a portrait at Parliament House in Canberra

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Anne AlyCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Anne Aly aims to reshape multiculturalism with new portfolio

Anne Aly sees her trio of new portfolios - small business, multicultural affairs and international development - as being joined by a thread of aspiration and economic opportunity.

Katina Curtis

Senator Jacinta Price appeared on the Chris Kenny show on Tuesday afternoon. Sky News Australia

Federal PoliticsFirebrand senator hints at PM ambitions

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has hinted she might hold ambitions for the top job in politics, suggesting many Australians would ‘love’ to see her in the role of PM.

Duncan Evans

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley at Parliament House in Canberra.

analysis
analysis
Katina CurtisPremium
analysis
History-making Liberal leader has a monumental task ahead

New leader Sussan Ley makes history as the first woman to lead the Liberal Party, but that is almost secondary to the monumental task ahead of her to rebuild from the worst loss in its 80-year history.

Katina Curtis

Deputy Opposition Leader Ted O'Brien spent a decade living and working in China and Taiwan.

Federal PoliticsCommentsWho is the new deputy Opposition leader?

Freshly appointed as Sussan Ley’s right-hand man, Ted O’Brien has come a long way from being the ‘runt of the litter’. 

Danielle Le Messurier

Not Supplied

Federal PoliticsPremium‘Ready’: Greens celebrate lonely victory

The Greens have officially won back the inner Brisbane seat of Ryan, with victor Elizabeth Watson-Brown pledging to ‘push Labor’ on stronger climate action.

Duncan Evans

Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the move, calling it a “historic decision” in the pursuit of justice. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

NEWSRussia blamed for downing of Flight MH17

A UN aviation body has found Russia was responsible for MH17 being shot down over Ukraine in an attack that killed 298 people, including 38 Australians.

Andrew Hedgman

E-scooters could soon become legal to ride on shared paths and suburban roads in NSW. Picture NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

NewsMassive e-scooter law change for millions

E-scooters could soon be allowed on paths and suburban roads in one Aussie state for the first time under long-awaited reforms.

Nathan Schmidt

Angus Taylor lost out to Sussan Ley for the Liberal Party leradership.

LiberalCommentsSussan Ley becomes first female Federal Liberal leader

The new Opposition leader has made history after defeating Angus Taylor in a party room ballot in Canberra this morning.

Katina Curtis

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn with members of the ministry during the swearing-in ceremony.

Federal PoliticsCommentsLabor’s new frontbench all smiles after factional brawls

Factional quarrels were put on the back burner as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn swore in the new-look Labor Government. 

Ellen Ransley

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has called the Liberal leadership contest a ‘battle of the duds’. NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

POLITICSLey reveals heartbreaking secret after win

After days of infighting following the Liberal Party’s massive election loss, the party’s new leader has revealed a sad update on her family.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

Nationals leader David Littleproud has been re-elected. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

POLITICSPremium‘No assassins’ in Nationals vote

Nationals leader David Littleproud claims the party has “no assassins”, taking a jab at Labor’s dumping of two cabinet ministers on Monday.

Hannah Wilcox

Anthony Albanese has been sworn in as prime minister. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

POLITICSPremiumAlbo’s brag as new-look ministry sworn in

Anthony Albanese has wasted no time in spruiking Labor’s “positive agenda” after his new ministry was sworn in.

Hannah Wilcox and Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Ted O’Brien at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

live
live
AustraliaVideoComments
live
Humbled Ley ‘up for the job’ as first female Liberal leader

LIVE UPDATES: Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has spoken for the first time since being elected leader of the Liberal Party.

Max Corstorphan

Ed Husic has made it clear he has no intention of holding his tongue.

opinion
opinion
Katina CurtisCommentsPremium
opinion
The unhealthy ‘yes man’ culture is a big risk for Labor

Disunity may be death in politics but valuing unity above all else doesn’t necessarily foster thriving life either, as politicians on both sides are discovering

Katina Curtis

Katina Curtis

Senators Hollie Hughes and David Shoebridge have clashed on energy policy on Q+A on Monday night. ABC / Supplied

Federal PoliticsPremium‘Slavery’: Senators’ fiery clash on energy

A Liberal and Greens senator have traded insults as they clashed over energy policy during an appearance on Q+A.

Georgie Kibel

Anne Aly has emerged as a big winner from the post-election reshuffle.

LaborPremiumWA wins second cabinet spot in new Albanese frontbench

Anne Aly has emerged as a big winner from the post-election reshuffle, taking on three portfolios and joining Madeleine King to double Western Australia’s representation in Cabinet.

Katina Curtis

Leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud, Kevin Hogan and Bridget McKenzie leave The Nationals' party room after winning the leadership vote at Parliament House in Canberra.

Federal PoliticsCommentsLittle change for proud Nats in leadership spill

David Littleproud will remain leader of the Nationals Party, after he saw off a challenge from fellow Queenslander Matt Canavan. 

Ellen Ransley

Not Supplied

updatedPremiumMajor update in key teal seats battle

Two of the tightest races between the teals and Liberals in the federal election appear to have been resolved, nine days after Australians voted.

Georgie Kibel

Not Supplied

NewsPremiumPM to travel to Rome for Pope’s inauguration

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Rome to attend Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration mass and meet with foreign leaders.

Emma Kirk and Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

Australia has deployed a warship on a sanctions enforcement mission against North Korea. Australian Defence Force

NEWSPremiumAustralia’s big move on North Korea

Australia has deployed one of its most capable warships on a mission targeting North Korea.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer