The politics of question time has seen many Australians tune out.

Australia’s failing political system is in desperate need of a renovation

Trust in politicians is low,the electorate is changing,and the Voice highlighted just how little understanding many Australians have of the Constitution. It’s time for a shake-up.

  • Michelle Grattan

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to address secrecy in government.

It can be a battle to get information from the Albanese government

Like most governments,this one arrived in office promising more accountability and transparency. Also like others,in practice it has a penchant for control and secrecy.

  • Michelle Grattan
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,US President Joe Biden,Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at at a Quad summit in Tokyo last year.

Albanese’s shrewd control keeps any divisions hidden before budget

The timing to Anthony Albanese’s prime ministership couldn’t have been better. As the anniversary of Labor’s election nears,the PM’s ability to retain public trust will be on his mind as he and Treasurer Jim Chalmers face difficult budget decisions.

  • Michelle Grattan
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is trying to find ways to repair the budget.

Letters to ‘Santa’:Budget wish list a challenge for Chalmers

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is trying to find ways to cut spending,but not meeting the demands of economic inclusion and women’s equality bodies may prove a political problem.

  • Michelle Grattan
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before selling their first budget in October 2022.

Chalmers’ budget challenge is to balance politics with the cost-of-living reality

The economic backdrop to the May 9 budget is grim,but Treasurer Jim Chalmers has some wriggle room. Can he afford to be generous with cost-of-living relief?

  • Michelle Grattan
Ken Wyatt has quit the Liberal Party after Peter Dutton said he would lobby for the No campaign.

Dutton deepens divisions with Voice rejection

He was once ‘Peter the pragmatist’,but the opposition leader’s success in holding the Liberal show together has been strictly limited.

  • Michelle Grattan
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Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers.

We need to increase taxes for the services we want,but the major parties don’t dare go there

Both Labor and the Coalition have been burned in the past by tax reform. Will the teals – an ideologically diverse bloc – be able to open the debate?

  • Michelle Grattan
Malcolm Fraser concedes defeat in the 1983 election.

From the Archives,1983:Stripped of power,Fraser bows out

In 1983,after losing the federal election to Bob Hawke just weeks earlier,Malcolm Fraser announced his resignation from parliament.

  • Michelle Grattan
Former prime minister Paul Keating launched a blistering attack on the AUKUS pact and senior ministers.

Keating could be right about AUKUS,but gratuitous insults are an ugly look

Former prime minister Paul Keating undercut his own case on the AUKUS submarine deal by taking his argument too far.

  • Michelle Grattan
Josh Frydenberg has a keen eye on the legal battle between Sally Rugg and her former boss,Kooyong MP Monique Ryan.

If at first Libs don’t succeed,will they try Fry again?

Peter Dutton has a problem:Peter Dutton. With the Liberals facing serious issues,and Josh Frydenberg’s Kooyong conqueror Monique Ryan locked in a legal case,the former treasurer has plenty to ponder before deciding if he should run in 2025.

  • Michelle Grattan