The report from John Kunkel, Scott Morrison’s chief of staff, into whether the Prime Minister’s office briefed against Brittany Higgins’ partner David Sharaz has been drafted with Jesuitical subtlety.
Scott Morrison has encouraged federal public servants to engage with their Chinese counterparts, saying these are important connections particularly given the tensions in the bilateral relationship.
An attempt to hobble Mathias Cormann in retaliation for the government’s refusal to produce the Gaetjens Report on Bridget McKenzie failed after Pauline Hanson withdrew her support.
‘It is inevitable that Australia will make more decisions that China doesn’t like,’ said Penny Wong.
Joel Carrett/AAP
Focusing on China policy in a Monday address - released ahead of delivery - Penny Wong says Australia needs to ‘define the boundaries’ of its engagement with China as the relationship is in a new phase.
Some of Watts’ ancestors were deeply rooted in the old attitudes of “white Australia”, while his wife is from Hong Kong, and his children Eurasian-Australian.
Erik Anderson/AAP
Tim Watts on Australia’s changing identity
The Conversation, CC BY37.7 MB(download)
Tim Watts joins Michelle Grattan to discuss his new book, The Golden Country, in which he reconciles his family's past and present, and explores the question of what it means to be Australian.
Julie Bishop and Marise Payne have risen to the top in foreign affairs, but their successes may be masking more systemic issues preventing women from advancement.
William West/AAP
A new report has found a major gender gap persists in Australia’s diplomatic, defence and intelligence fields. Australia needs good ideas, and we cannot assume they will all come from the same place.
Since the Whitlam government in 1972, the major parties have taken a similar approach to managing relations with China, albeit with a few key differences.
AAP/EPA/Roman Pilipey
No matter who forms government after the next election, managing Australia’s relationship with China will continue to be a major challenge, and vitally important in a region remaking itself.
When Tim Storer was sworn in he was escorted by the government and opposition Senate leaders.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Tim Storer has one hell of a decision to make shortly after the May budget, when the government plans to bring back its legislation to give tax cuts to big business.
China’s rise in power has changed Australia’s foreign policy outlook.
Reuters
Donald Trump’s election will affect Australia profoundly – including in the comfort it gives to those who oppose progressive policies in the name of fighting ‘political correctness’.
If Bob Day’s election as the twelfth senator from South Australia was invalid it means he is not replaced by a candidate nominated by Family First.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Within hours of Bob Day submitting his Senate resignation on Tuesday, the government announced it would move for the High Court to rule on whether he had been ineligible to sit in the upper house.
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash and the opposition’s Penny Wong appearing on Q&A with host Tony Jones.
Q&A
On Q&A, an unemployed merchant seafarer said Australian seafarers could replaced by foreign seafarers working on 457 visas, working for as little as $2 an hour. We check the facts.
Senators Cory Bernardi and Penny Wong faced off in a debate on same-sex marriage on Wednesday.
AAP/Stefan Postles
The same-sex marriage debate between senators Cory Bernardi and Penny Wong exposed four myths about marriage that have plagued recent debates worldwide.
Australia’s unemployment is 5.5%. How does that stack up internationally?
APH
“Australia has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the developed world.” - Finance minister Penny Wong, The Drum opinion article, 14 January. Several ministers, including finance minister Penny Wong…
Penny Wong’s rare moment of sincerity on Q&A betrayed the paucity of Australia’s political commentary.
ABC
If there is a turning point in the Australian debate on same-sex marriage it may well be Penny Wong’s remarkable grace and honesty when answering Joe Hockey on last night’s Q&A. Wong was asked by host…
Faculty Member, Asian Studies Program, Georgetown University; Visiting Fellow, Department of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University., Georgetown University