March
Iron ore price, cooler job market to weigh on budget: Chalmers
The federal government’s revenue expectations will be downgraded significantly in the May budget due to falling commodity prices and a softening jobs market, the treasurer says.
- Phillip Coorey
When the minister met the ‘mischievous’: What Wong said to Curran
Foreign Minister Penny Wong parried with James Curran at The Australian Financial Review Business Summit this week. This is an edited transcript of that discussion.
- Analysis
- ASEAN
Sense of urgency as Australia finds its true international identity
There is a meaning to be extracted from the ASEAN summit for Australia’s international identity.
- James Curran
January
- Analysis
- Australia Day
Australia Day has always been controversial
It’s nothing new for the national holiday to be plagued by debates over its meaning and significance. Indeed, that’s become part and parcel of the day itself.
- Updated
- James Curran
Harder, faster: Kim Williams takes lessons from News Corp to ABC
Pushing deep, structural change at News Corp put Kim Williams offside with editors early on in his short tenure there. How will he lead as ABC chairman?
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
- Opinion
- Culture wars
Existential panic at the ivory tower
The Claudine Gay fiasco at Harvard has triggered a US debate about the purpose of higher education that Australia seems determined not to have.
- John Roskam
December 2023
- Analysis
- International affairs
Albanese reaches for Keating’s Asian mantle
In a speech that canvassed all the issues on his foreign policy plate, there was one section that stood out.
- James Curran
The first Australian writer to make politics and sex sing
Frank Moorhouse was one of Australia’s most adventurous and productive authors. A new biography explains his rise.
- Andrew Clark
When ‘peacenik’ Whitlam met hardline Kissinger
Henry Kissinger was at the very centre of a diplomatic crisis with Australia in the 1970s – one that nearly ended the alliance.
- James Curran
November 2023
- Opinion
- China relations
In his most important trip yet, PM’s simple mantra gets results
If the trip results in a resumption of annual talks and the end of coercive trade sanctions, while giving up little in return, that’s a pretty good outcome.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- China relations
PM can now move on from talk of stabilising China ties
With Albanese’s visit, most, if not all, of the outstanding irritants in the Sino-Australian relationship have been or will be removed.
- Geoff Raby
- Opinion
- China relations
PM’s China trip cements new era for ties
Five decades after Whitlam’s historic visit, Albanese is marking another crucial moment for the relationship.
- Xiao Qian
October 2023
- Opinion
- China relations
As Beijing beckons, the fight for Albanese’s ear on China
As Anthony Albanese prepares to meet Xi Jinping, two schools of policy in Canberra are competing to steer the PM’s approach.
- Updated
- James Curran
- Opinion
- Foreign relations
Bill Hayden’s foreign policy was his finest hour
Former Labor leader Bill Hayden’s 1983 ANZUS review preserved the alliance, but he despised craven and servile pandering to Washington
- James Curran
Vale Bill Hayden, a complex high achiever who helped shape Australia
Moody and often difficult, Bill Hayden played a major role ushering in reforms including Medicare, opening up the economy, and Australia’s engagement with Asia.
- Andrew Clark
- Opinion
- Postcard from Tokyo
From afar, the Voice debate is not our finest hour
Australia could lose the moral high ground to speak out on issues on the global stage if the Voice referendum is defeated.
- Updated
- Melanie Brock
September 2023
- Opinion
- Foreign relations
Australia’s endless rediscovery of engagement with Asia
The Moore Report points Australian businesses in the right direction towards South-East Asia, but will they take the bait?
- James Curran
- Opinion
- China relations
Speak clearly to Xi, and avoid the traps
The prime minister’s visit to a prickly Beijing will be watched closely for tone and content, at home and among allies.
- Richard Maude
- Opinion
- Australia's China challenge
Much to gain from delegation going to China
This week’s High Level Dialogue is expected to be fearless, frank and friendly as the two nations seek to stabilise and strengthen their relationship.
- Craig Emerson
August 2023
Beating the world to Blue Poles, 50 years on
As a hungry young reporter for The Australian Financial Review, Terry Ingram landed the major scoop of the Whitlam government’s plan to buy Jackson Pollock’s masterpiece.
- Tom McIlroy
