17 h. ago Tories 'face losing 500 councillors' in local elections next week as Kemi Badenoch dismisses Robert Jenrick's hint at 'coalition' with Reform

Lord Robert Hayward, a Conservative peer and top pollster, said he expects the Tories to lose between 475 to 525 councillors at next Thursday's elections.

Politics

36 h. ago Kemi Badenoch vows 'no electoral pact' with Nigel Farage's Reform UK after Tory Robert Jenrick discusses 'coalition' at the next general election

The leader's spokesman dismissed talk of a link-up at the national level after Jenrick suggested action would be needed to prevent the 'nightmare scenario' of Keir Starmer winning in 2029.

Politics

5 d. ago ‘Bordering on incredible’: Coalition under fire for planning to scrap Labor climate policies and offering none of its own

With Peter Dutton’s views on climate change in the spotlight, the focus has turned onto whether there will be any policies to reduce emissions in the next decadePolls tracker; election guide; full federal election coverageAnywhere but Canberra; interactive electorates guideListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastThe Coalition is refusing to say if it will introduce any policies to cut Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade as it pledges to unwind most climate measures introduced under Labor.Peter Dutton’s position on the climate crisis came under scrutiny last week after he gave contradictory answers on whether he accepted mainstream climate science. Asked during a leaders’ debate on the ABC whether extreme weather events were worsening, the opposition leader said: “I don’t know because I’m not a scientist”.Dropping a Labor goal of 82% of electricity coming from renewable g...

Events

7 d. ago Turnbull says negative gearing ‘examined by every government’ – as it happened

This blog is now closedPeter Dutton insists he ‘believes in climate change’ after refusing to say if impacts of global heating worseningAnywhere but Canberra: Australian voters on what matters to themInteractive guide to electorates in the Australian electionListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaSee all our Australian election 2025 coverageGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastBoth parties claim victory in last night’s debateThe political reaction to last night’s debate is coming in thick and fast. No surprises here that the Liberals believe their leader Peter Dutton won with flying colours, while Labor has backed Albanese for the victory.I saw a very weak, indecisive Prime Minister and a very strong Opposition leader. And I was particularly blown away, Bridget, by the prime minister not fessing up that his own government modelled changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax with respect to homeownership.The prime minist...

Politics

7 d. ago Australia news live: Turnbull says negative gearing ‘examined by every government’; measles warning issued for greater Melbourne area

Follow today’s news liveAnywhere but Canberra: Australian voters on what matters to themInteractive guide to electorates in the Australian electionListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaSee all our Australian election 2025 coverageGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastBoth parties claim victory in last night’s debateThe political reaction to last night’s debate is coming in thick and fast. No surprises here that the Liberals believe their leader Peter Dutton won with flying colours, while Labor has backed Albanese for the victory.I saw a very weak, indecisive Prime Minister and a very strong Opposition leader. And I was particularly blown away, Bridget, by the prime minister not fessing up that his own government modelled changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax with respect to homeownership.The prime minister says the government did not commission any advice on negative gearing or capital gains tax changes, but the t...

Events

2 w. ago Farage rejects Badenoch’s suggestion of potential local Tory

The Conservative leader has consistently ruled out any national deal with Reform, whose leader Mr Farage has vowed to ‘destroy’ the Tory party.

Politics

2 w. ago Palau president backs Australia’s bid to host Cop31 climate summit after Dutton labels it ‘madness’

Surangel Whipps Jr says he would be ‘deeply disappointed’ if attempt were abandoned under CoalitionElection 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastThe president of Palau has strongly backed an Australian bid to host a UN climate conference on behalf of the Pacific, arguing that it would boost regional solidarity and clean energy investment and he would be “deeply disappointed” if the attempt were abandoned under the Coalition.Speaking in Sydney, Surangel Whipps Jr stressed he did not want to offer a view on the Australian election but said leaders should heed the results of a Lowy Institute survey that suggested 70% of the population supported Labor’s proposal for the country hosting the Cop31 climate summit late next year.Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Australia election 2025 live: Dutton’s gas plan has ‘reckless’ lack of detail, resources minister says

Follow today’s news liveAnywhere but Canberra: Australian voters on what matters to themInteractive guide to electorates in the Australian electionListen to the first episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaSee all our Australian election 2025 coverageGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastForeign minister Penny Wong has told RN Breakfast says Labor is “realistic” on what outcomes the government could achieve on tariffs with the Trump administration.We’ll keep working hard for the best outcome, but I think all of us are realistic. As the prime minister made it clear yesterday, we are not willing to trade away the things that make Australia the best country in the world, like our healthcare system. We don’t want the Americanisation of our healthcare system. We won’t be weakening our biosecurity laws, and we won’t be trading away our PBS.He made a similar submission, and what happened to real wages over the last three years? Real wages have dropped in...

Politics

3 w. ago Australia election 2025 live: Dutton hints at cuts to ABC if he finds ‘waste’; Coalition to designate gas a ‘critical mineral’

Coalition senator Susan McDonald told a gas industry conference in Sydney the Coalition government’s plan if elected. Follow today’s news liveAnywhere but Canberra: Australian voters on what matters to themInteractive guide to electorates in the Australian electionListen to the first episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaSee all our Australian election 2025 coverageGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastForeign minister Penny Wong has told RN Breakfast says Labor is “realistic” on what outcomes the government could achieve on tariffs with the Trump administration.We’ll keep working hard for the best outcome, but I think all of us are realistic. As the prime minister made it clear yesterday, we are not willing to trade away the things that make Australia the best country in the world, like our healthcare system. We don’t want the Americanisation of our healthcare system. We won’t be weakening our biosecurity laws, and we won’t be trading away our P...

Politics

3 w. ago Tenth Scottish Tory councillor defects to Nigel Farage's Reform UK

South Lanarkshire councillor Poppy Corbett has become the latest member of local government to join Nigel Farage's party from the Conservatives.

Politics

4 w. ago Anthony Albanese calls Australian federal election for 3 May

Albanese visits governor general to kickstart Labor’s five-week election campaign, as Peter Dutton frames Coalition’s pitch around living standardsAustralian election campaign 2025: live updatesSee all our Australian election 2025 coverageGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has framed the federal election as a choice between Labor’s plan to “keep building” and Peter Dutton’s “promises to cut” after announcing voters will head to the polls on 3 May.The prime minister visited the governor general, Sam Mostyn, on Friday morning to dissolve the 47th parliament, triggering a five-week race to form the next government.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Australian federal election date: Anthony Albanese calls poll for 3 May

Albanese visits governor general to kickstart five-week election campaign, with polls suggesting Labor is in a tight contest with Coalition under Peter DuttonAustralian election campaign 2025: live updatesSee all our Australian election 2025 coverageGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians will head to the polls on 3 May after Anthony Albanese fired the starter’s gun on the federal election campaign.The prime minister visited the governor general, Sam Mostyn, on Friday morning to dissolve the 47th parliament, triggering a five-week race to form the next government.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

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