Pesutto backs deputy who secretly taped Liberal meeting as ‘insurance’
Updated
Courts

Pesutto backs deputy who secretly taped Liberal meeting as ‘insurance’

Opposition Leader John Pesutto says he “absolutely” trusts David Southwick,who told the Federal Court he secretly recorded an internal meeting as an “insurance policy” because he could no longer trust Moira Deeming.

  • byRachel Eddie andAnnika Smethurst

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‘Many things are taped’ secretly in the Victorian Liberal Party,court hears
Courts

‘Many things are taped’ secretly in the Victorian Liberal Party,court hears

A former Liberal MP says he was warned on his first day in parliament that conversations in the party were often “surreptitiously” recorded,as leader John Pesutto moved to reassure Victorians that his position was safe.

  • byRachel Eddie andAnnika Smethurst
Woollahra voters reject bid to cut down on councillors
NSW council elections

Woollahra voters reject bid to cut down on councillors

The referendum to downsize from 15 councillors to nine was defeated by less than 300 votes,but residents in three other local government areas supported smaller councils.

  • byMichael Koziol
Spreadsheet ranking Liberals on how they’d vote on Deeming expulsion shown to court
Courts

Spreadsheet ranking Liberals on how they’d vote on Deeming expulsion shown to court

A colour-coded spreadsheet made by John Pesutto’s staff catalogues how every Victorian Liberal MP was expected to vote on a motion to expel Moira Deeming from the party room.

  • byRachel Eddie andAnnika Smethurst
They’re tackling Coles and Woolies,but who’ll dare break up the political duopoly?
Opinion
Political leadership

They’re tackling Coles and Woolies,but who’ll dare break up the political duopoly?

A political system of two major parties – like a corporate duopoly – can be a comfortable place,but it’s not clear that the business model is working.

  • bySean Kelly
The lingering influence of Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin on Peter Dutton
Exclusive
Political leadership

The lingering influence of Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin on Peter Dutton

Ten years after leaving office,the former prime minister and his chief of staff are still playing a role in federal Liberal Party politics – and not everyone is happy about it.

  • byJames Massola
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John Pesutto’s unwinnable position:Save himself,or save his job
Courts

John Pesutto’s unwinnable position:Save himself,or save his job

The Liberal leader is battling two realities – a father of three fighting a costly defamation suit versus the senior politician trying to hang on to his job. It’s possible even if he wins,he loses.

  • byAnnika Smethurst andRachel Eddie
The people most likely to have negatively geared properties
Negative gearing

The people most likely to have negatively geared properties

Some of Australia’s top earners are among the most likely to have a negatively geared investment property – but many people in lower paid jobs use the tax concession too.

  • byMillie Muroi andNick Bonyhady
‘Cheaper with nuclear’:What will Dutton’s nuclear plan really cost
Analysis
Nuclear energy

‘Cheaper with nuclear’:What will Dutton’s nuclear plan really cost

The opposition says it will release the costings of its nuclear policy on its own timeline,but its ambitious claims have raised fresh doubts.

  • byMike Foley
Former top dog launches legal action against Greyhound Racing NSW
CBD

Former top dog launches legal action against Greyhound Racing NSW

Rob Macaulay resigned as chief executive in July. Now,he’s taking the greyhound racing regulator to the Fair Work Commission.

  • byKishor Napier-Raman andStephen Brook
Not even MAFS could deliver the drama of the Deeming and Pesutto trial
Opinion
Political leadership

Not even MAFS could deliver the drama of the Deeming and Pesutto trial

Kim was double-crossed by John. John can’t stand Katherine. Louise wanted Moira gone,as did Matthew. And everyone’s angry with David. No,this is not Married at First Sight.

  • byAnnika Smethurst