A dog sits outside a polling station in London during the last UK election. Just over 48 million people were eligible to cast a ballot,while there are about 1.6 million 16 and 17-year-olds.

Could Australia follow UK’s ‘shock’ move to lower voting age to 16?

The UK’s proposed changes are designed to boost participation and trust in the electoral system,but opinion is split over whether under 18s should – or would – cast ballots.

  • Brittany Busch

Latest

Abe Saffron dropped a bomb during secret testimony in Canberra.

Who killed Sydney heiress Juanita Nielsen? ‘Mr Sin’ points finger from the grave

For the first time in 33 years,Saffron’s evidence before an in-camera parliamentary inquiry can be revealed.

  • Peter Rees andNeil Mercer
Donald Trump held a big,beautiful parade in Iowa… the celebrations didn’t extend to US soil in Canberra though,where the US embassy was closed for July 4.

A big beautiful day for US diplomacy in Canberra? Under Trump,the doors are closed

July 4 was for many years a day for celebrating American style at the US embassy in Canberra. Not this year. There’s no ambassador,for starters.

  • Tony Wright
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

‘Arrogant’ Albanese slashes staff for Coalition MPs

The federal opposition has had its staffing allocation slashed by the Albanese government,in a move labelled “vindictive and nasty”.

  • James Massola
Brittany Higgins and Senator Linda Reynolds.

Senator ‘bitterly disappointed’ as anti-corruption watchdog clears Higgins compensation payout

The $2.4 million settlement between the Commonwealth and Brittany Higgins was investigated after a complaint by Senator Linda Reynolds,who now alleges the former attorney-general exceeded his powers.

  • Mike Foley
Australia has a long,and frequently unhappy,history of political defections.

Call that a political defection? Here are the deserters for the ages

Political defections are in the news – Jacinta Price and Dorinda Cox the most recent examples – but the recent crop pale in comparison to the grand champions of political absconding.

  • Tony Wright
Advertisement
Analysis of parliamentary sitting calendars from 2004 to the draft 2025 calendar reveals MPs in the lower house will spend 40 days passing laws.

‘Part-time parliament’ sitting for fewest days in 20 years

Analysis of parliamentary sitting calendars from 2004 to the draft 2025 calendar reveals MPs in the lower house will spend 40 days passing laws.

  • Olivia Ireland andPaul Sakkal
Fatima Payman says an older male colleague made sexually suggestive and racial comments towards her.

Payman alleges older male colleague made sexually suggestive and racial comments

Payman – who is Muslim and does not drink alcohol – alleged a male colleague was intoxicated at a social function and pressed her to drink alcohol.

  • Olivia Ireland
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie.

Jacqui Lambie retains Senate spot,holds off challenge from Pauline Hanson’s daughter

The electoral commission has called the Tasmanian Senate race after two of the six spots were in doubt for several weeks.

  • Olivia Ireland
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton kicking a footy with kids in Darwin.
Gallery icon12 images

ELECTION 2025 Week 2

We follow the politicians on the campaign trail.