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The Latest Articles by Michelle Grattan

Dutton promises Coalition would increase defence spending to 3% of GDP ‘within a decade’

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will promise a Coalition government would boost Australia’s spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP within five years and 3% within a decade.

The Conversation

Election Diary: Dutton in third debate gives Labor ammunition for its scare about cuts

In the leaders’ third head-to-head encounter, on Nine on Tuesday, Peter Dutton’s bluntness when pressed on cuts has given more ammunition to Labor’s scare campaign about what a Coalition government might do.

The Conversation

Election Diary: Albanese government stays mum over whatever Russia may have said to Indonesia

The imbroglio over the reported Russian request to Indonesia to base planes in Papua initially tripped Peter Dutton, and now is dogging Anthony Albanese.

The Conversation

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Election Diary: Coalition makes ‘law-and-order’ pitch, with plan to invest proceeds of drug crime into communities

As it seeks to gain some momentum for its campaign, the Coalition on Monday will focus on law and order, announcing $355 million for a National Drug Enforcement and Organised Crime Strike Team to fight the illicit drug trade.

The Conversation

Grattan on Friday: Peter Dutton’s tax indexation ‘aspiration’ has merit – so why didn’t we hear about it before?

Peter Dutton, now seriously on the back foot, has made an extraordinarily big “aspirational” commitment at the back end of this campaign.

The Conversation

Election Diary: there were a couple of ‘moments’ in second Albanese-Dutton encounter

Two “moments” stuck out in Wednesday’s leaders’ debate, the second head-to-head of the campaign.

The Conversation

Poll shows Australians hate Trump policies and have lost trust in US, but still strongly believe in alliance

Australians strongly disagree with key policies of US President Donald Trump, and have overwhelmingly lost trust in the United States to act responsibly in the world, according to the Lowy Institute’s 2025 poll.

The Conversation

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Politics with Michelle Grattan: Warwick McKibbin on trying to model economic certainty in uncertain times

Global markets have remained on edge after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs caused panic worldwide. Now, more than ever, markets and economists are looking for trying to read the implications.

The Conversation

Election Diary: for a few hours, it seemed possible the Russians might be coming

For a few hours on Tuesday afternoon, it seemed just possible the Russians might be sending their planes to a base very near us.

The Conversation

Election Diary: Will Peter Dutton help son Harry buy a house?

Political leaders’ kids are routinely put on display to share the glory or the pain of election night. Earlier, they’re often at campaign launches to “humanise” the candidates.

The Conversation

Election Diary: Liberal and Labor launches focus on housing, but who thinks either side can fix that crisis any time soon?

If anyone had any doubts before, Sunday’s Liberal and Labor launches highlighted that this election is an auction for votes, in particular those of the under 40s and people in the outer suburbs.

The Conversation

Albanese pitches to aspiring home buyers with $10 billion plan and removal of means test on deposit guarantee

Anthony Albanese will promise a A$10 billion scheme to facilitate the building of up to 100,000 homes that would be earmarked for sale to first home buyers.

The Conversation

Dutton to offer targeted income tax offset of up to $1,200

Peter Dutton at his party launch on Sunday will offer a “cost-of-living tax offset” of up to A$1,200 to more than 10 million taxpayers.

The Conversation

Election Diary: Labor breaks practice of preferencing Greens to protect Jewish MP Josh Burns

It takes a bit for Labor not to preference the Greens but on Friday it was announced that in the Melbourne seat of Macnamara, where Jewish MP Josh Burns is embattled, the ALP will run an open ticket.

The Conversation

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The Conversation

Grattan on Friday: Will there be leadership changes on both sides of politics next parliamentary term?

When Jim Chalmers and Angus Taylor met for this week’s treasurers’ debate, the moderator observed that in three or six years they might be facing each other as prime minister and opposition leader.

The Conversation

Election Diary: Chalmers and Taylor quizzed on personal flaws during animated treasurers’ debate

Perhaps the most compelling moment, at least for non-economists, in Wednesday night’s debate between Treasurer Jim Chalmers and his “shadow” Angus Taylor was when each man was forced to respond to what critics see as their personal flaws.

The Conversation

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Hugh White on what the next PM should tell Trump and defending Australia – without the US

The Trump ascendancy has forced international economic issues and the future strategic outlook onto the Australian election agenda, even if they are at the margins.

The Conversation

Election Diary: The election’s first debate was disaster-free but passion-free too

The election’s first debate, on Sky News on Tuesday night, was disappointingly dull. Viewers who’d been following the campaign would have learned little. There was minimal spontaneity.

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The Conversation

Election Diary: Jim Chalmers highlights expectations of May interest rate cut - after the election

Amid the chaos of the tariff crisis and the dark clouds internationally, there is a potential silver lining for Australian mortgage holders.

The Conversation

Election Diary: Dutton backs down on working-from-home crackdown after outcry threatens to cost votes

Peter Dutton has raised the white flag on his controversial attempt to force Canberra public servants back into the office, with the opposition now saying there will be no change in current arrangements.

The Conversation

Election Diary: Albanese promises 30% discount on household batteries in latest energy bill help

In the government’s latest initiative on energy prices, Anthony Albanese on Sunday will promise that if re-elected, Labor will reduce the cost of installing a typical home battery by 30% from July 1.

The Conversation

Albanese and Dutton both say they will return the Port of Darwin to Australian hands

Anthony Albanese has announced that the government will ensure the Port of Darwin, currently leased by the Chinese company Landbridge, is returned to Australian hands.

The Conversation

What’s it like to be showered with Trump dust? Election special podcast

Chief political correspondent Michelle Grattan talks with political editor Amanda Dunn about Donald Trump’s trade tariffs, their potential impact on the election campaign, Labor’s bid to give workers a real wage increase, and why Peter Dutton won’t live in Canberra if he becomes prime minister.

The Conversation

Grattan on Friday: Trying too hard for a special tariff deal with Trump could be the wrong way to go

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton both agree Australia should react to US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff regime by continuing to seek a special deal. They just disagree about which of them could better handle the challenge of dealing with the rogue president.

The Conversation

Trump highlights Australian beef in ‘Liberation Day’ trade crackdown

US President Donald Trump singled out Australia’s beef trade for special mention in his announcement that the United States would impose a 10% global tariff as well as “reciprocal tariffs” on many countries.

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