Independents
‘Proud to be a Labor girl’: Former Jacqui Lambie senator makes surprise switch
Tasmanian independent Tammy Tyrrell is the second senator to join Labor in 12 months.
- Brittany Busch
Latest
Farrer byelection as it happened: One Nation win in historic victory as Liberal Party lose regional NSW seat for first time in 77 years
One Nation has claimed its first seat in the House of Representatives, as the independent challenger outperformed the Liberals and Nationals combined.
- Nick Newling
Bed shortages and border lines: Farrer’s health crisis goes to the polls
Forget cost of living, voters in Albury are focused on a failing health system as a $558 million hospital redevelopment plan becomes a toxic political flashpoint.
- Rob Harris
The locals all know the independent who wants to beat One Nation. The test is if they believe in her
The Climate 200-backed independent has drawn unlikely political allies during her campaign in Farrer, posing an enormous challenge to the Coalition especially.
- Rob Harris
Joyce accuses Littleproud of throwing in the towel: ‘No general!’
Barnaby Joyce told this masthead that David Littleproud’s remarks about the upcoming Farrer byelection, to be held days before the federal budget, were remarkable.
- Paul Sakkal
Labor has put 169 issues in the ‘too hard basket’. This obscure rule may finally force them to act
From gambling harm to financial abuse, the government has failed to respond to 169 Senate reports on time. The opposition and independents are forcing the issue.
- Brittany Busch
A protest vote is brewing in Sussan Ley’s seat – but it won’t be simple
Like many Australians, dairy farmer Nick Flanagan finds his WhatsApp group chat is a good barometer of what people are thinking about politics. Its contents will worry the Coalition.
- Natassia Chrysanthos
‘Acting like a medieval king’: PM faces multiparty push on staffing
Parties across the political spectrum are planning to back a Coalition plan to make decisions on MP staffing allocations independent of politics.
- Brittany Busch
- Political sketch
- Political leadership
Political enemies join parliament’s first-day love-in. Day two will be a different story
For just one day, love and homage to democracy were the central rituals as the 48th parliament opened.
- Tony Wright
The crossbench is as big as the opposition. How will parliament work?
Federal parliament’s crossbench could be larger than the Liberal Party after the Nationals walked away from a Coalition deal.
- Olivia Ireland