Penny Wong
Higgins ‘steadfast in truth’ after Reynolds alleges plan to damage her career
The former defence industry minister is suing Brittany Higgins for defamation over July 2023 social media posts.
- by Angus Thompson
Latest
Australia takes rare step of blaming China for backing cyberattacks
It is the first time Australian agencies have taken the lead in attributing cyberattacks to hacking group APT40 and naming the Ministry of State Security as a sponsor of the operations.
- by David Crowe
Embattled MP slams Muslim Vote claim that Labor’s ‘weak on Palestine’
Labor’s Peter Khalil has become the first MP to push back against claims made by a burgeoning pro-Palestinian political movement aiming to unseat Labor politicians.
- by Paul Sakkal
Exclusive
Foreign relations
Australian woman’s fury at DFAT over husband’s 1000 days in Iraqi jail
Desree Pether says “the living hell” of the three years since her husband was arrested is made worse by DFAT’s “quiet diplomacy” policies.
- by Olivia Ireland
Exclusive
Abducted in Japan
‘Heartbreaking’: Penny Wong condemns abduction of Australian children in Japan
Parents warn Tokyo’s two-year delay in implementing new laws could trigger a “dash to the finish line” to abduct more children.
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Natalie Clancy
Exclusive
Assange saga
Inside the secret talks to bring Assange home
This was an ultramarathon with a final sprint at the end.
- by David Crowe and Matthew Knott
Opinion
Julian Assange
Assange may be out of jail, but in Australia he’s on probation
Is Julian Assange capable of actual, ethical journalism, and how will he repay the Australian government for its intense efforts in his cause?
- by Peter Hartcher
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Why freezing out Fatima Payman wouldn’t look good for Labor
Payman is not the first young woman of colour to have crossed the establishment and sparked fury. And there will be more like her in the party’s future.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
Wong on Payman: She should vote with us, like I had to on gay marriage
Penny Wong has rebuked senator Fatima Payman for crossing the floor, with the foreign minister pointing out she had had to vote against same-sex marriage before Labor changed its position.
- by James Massola
Updated
China relations
‘We won’t always agree’: Albanese rejects Chinese premier’s call to shelve disputes
The prime minister will insist that serious disagreements will not disappear simply by being treated as taboos.
- by Matthew Knott and Paul Sakkal
Analysis
China relations
Yes, pandas are adorable. But they can’t hide national differences
Even at a diplomatic encounter as soft and fluffy as a trip to a panda enclosure, the harsh realities of the China-Australia relationship broke through.
- by Matthew Knott