Politics
Federal
New $3.5 billion incentive for states to lift housing target
National cabinet has backed a deal on housing that sets a new target to build 1.2 million homes over five years, and moves to set national principles on renters’ rights.
- by David Crowe
Latest
Marles to frame Labor as party of defence as tensions emerge over ‘stifling’ conference rules
Two party figures say open debate at the party’s triennial conference is being shut down.
- by David Crowe, Paul Sakkal and James Massola
Analysis
Affordable housing
Albanese goes back to the future for housing reform
Giving the states a kick up the bum while offering them cash to really put more housing stock into the market is one step to repairing the damage caused by decades of poor policy.
- by Shane Wright
Voice sparking racism, should be called off: Lidia Thorpe
The independent senator reversed her previous commitment to avoid campaigning for a so-called “progressive No” and railed against what she labelled a powerless and patronising Voice.
- by Paul Sakkal
Exclusive
ALP
Union push for worker representatives on RBA and Future Fund
CFMMEU national secretary Zach Smith says ordinary Australians cannot afford to see the two bodies stacked with “captains of industry with little insight into their daily struggles”.
- by Paul Sakkal and James Massola
Exclusive
Housing affordability
Voters spurn idea of early poll over housing deadlock
Voters are split on whether the federal stoush over housing policy is important enough to trigger a double-dissolution election, but a clear majority has rejected the idea of going to the polls before 2025 even if the deadlock continues.
- by David Crowe
Best of cartoons, August 16, 2023
The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.
The latest illustrations from artist Simon Letch
Gallery of illustrations by the Sydney Morning Herald artist.
The latest illustrations from artist Cathy Wilcox
The latest work by the acclaimed Sydney Morning Herald editorial cartoonist.