Today
Allan ‘obsessed’ with rail loop: Dutton
Peter Dutton says the suburban rail loop is a “pipe dream”; first campaign debate on next Tuesday night. Follow live updates.
- 1 hr ago
- Lucy Slade
Coalition to loosen home loan rules to boost lending capacity
A Peter Dutton-led government would direct the prudential regulator to lower the home loan serviceability buffer if it wins the federal election.
- Ronald Mizen
Albanese rejects US trade complaints on eve of Trump’s Liberation Day
The White House has formally adopted long-standing trade gripes over Australia’s subsidised medicines, biosecurity rules and forcing tech giants to pay for local news.
- Andrew Tillett
Labor targets Dutton’s WFH wind-back as ‘straight from DOGE playbook’
Labor will launch an attack on the Coalition’s return-to-the-office plans and public sector cuts by comparing them to Elon Musk’s cost-cutting outfit under Trump.
- David Marin-Guzman
Yesterday
Dutton to scrap SRL funding, pledges $1.5b to Melbourne airport link
The funds being announced by Peter Dutton on Tuesday will be matched by the state opposition leader Brad Battin, lifting airport rail funding to $13 billion.
- Ronald Mizen
- Exclusive
- Federal election
China envoy urges trade unity as Beijing sends ‘spy ship’
Australia’s economic and security juggling act between the US and China is emerging as an election issue.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- Federal election
Tax cut could leave 1.3m paying higher rate on super than income
The surprise tax cut in the budget will make the lowest income tax rate 14 per cent from 2027, but the concessional rate on super will stay at 15 per cent.
- Phillip Coorey
WA warning for Albanese over revised environment laws
After torpedoing a deal hashed out by Tanya Plibersek, the prime minister has blamed Labor’s Senate numbers for uncertainty on a new environment watchdog.
- Tom Rabe and Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Boost business investment to restore lost prosperity
A 20 per cent investment allowance would be a start. But the focus should be on sharpening the overall international competitiveness of the economy
- The AFR View
- Analysis
- Federal election
Dutton is winning the picture war, but that’s only half the battle
“You win the images, you win the day,” says a former aide to Scott Morrison of election campaigns, but you also have to be brutally protective of your message.
- Ronald Mizen
- Analysis
- Federal election
Dutton doesn’t like Canberra, PM doesn’t like the Greens
Peter Dutton has caused outrage in the national capital by saying he would live in Sydney if elected, while Anthony Albanese became tongue-tied about Greens support.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- Federal election
Albanese wins anti-Trump vibe, but Dutton in front seat by seat
According to the punters, a more conservative crossbench of 11, minus a couple of teals and Greens, would be willing to support a Coalition government.
- John Black
Inside four RBA decisions that shook up elections
From controversial rate hikes to politically sensitive cuts, the central bank has often found itself at the heart of the campaign narrative.
- Michael Read
David Rowe cartoons for March 2025
David Rowe is a multiple Walkley award-winning cartoonist. He draws a daily political cartoon and one for the Chanticleer column.
- David Rowe
ADF watching Chinese vessel off Australia’s coast: PM
Anthony Albanese says he would prefer that the Chinese vessel wasn’t there; Donald Trump is not “froth and bubble”, Malcolm Turnbull says. How the day unfolded.
- Lucy Slade and James Hall
- Opinion
- Federal election
Old pastime of redistribution, regulation, reckless spending returns
If you’re wondering why this election campaign does not have a clear frontrunner, the lack of convincing economic policies may be the reason.
- Tom Switzer
- Analysis
- Federal election
Disciplined and confident PM has Dutton needing a narrative with hope
Labor’s start to the federal election campaign is in stark contrast to Anthony Albanese’s performance in 2022, and he looks sharper and more determined.
- Tom McIlroy
Generous perks for political staffers in cost-of-living election
For political staffers-turned-campaigners, the election goodies have long been baked in.
- Myriam Robin
Tune in for The Fin election special every Tuesday
Each week during the election campaign, we’ll be making a special Tuesday edition of The Fin podcast called Election 2025. It’ll be out each Tuesday at 5pm in The Fin podcast feed. Subscribe where you get your podcasts.
March
- Opinion
- AFR Freshwater poll
PM reckons he’s got the wind at his back, just when it matters
Albanese is subscribing to the same strategy that got him across the line in 2022. Be ahead when it matters.
- Phillip Coorey
Labor closing gap on cost of living, leads race to form government
Anthony Albanese has his nose ahead of Peter Dutton in the race to form government on May 3.
- Phillip Coorey
- Dashboard
- AFR Freshwater poll
Explore the latest Freshwater Strategy Poll
Who is the preferred prime minister? What is driving people’s votes? Explore our AFR-Freshwater Strategy polling data.
Barnaby Joyce makes election pitch from the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge
Armed with a plum as a prop, the former Nats leader chose one of the country’s most exclusive clubs to tell voters he understood their cost of living stress.
- Hannah Wootton
No savings estimate for consumers from Dutton’s gas plan
Gas producers would be hit with financial penalties if they refused to divert more uncontracted gas to the domestic market, the Coalition has confirmed.
- Phillip Coorey
