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Live
Australia votes
The two Dutton promises he’s yet to back up; PM leaves Canberra to hit campaign trail
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has officially called the 2025 federal election this morning. Follow all the latest news, reaction and analysis with our rolling live blog.
Latest live posts
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Political leadership
Interactive: How close is the race in your electorate? Everything you need to know
Search for your electorate, or simply put in your address to see the race in your seat, a demographic profile, voting history and the full results from 2022.
Updated
Anthony Albanese
Albanese vows to govern ‘the Australian way’, Dutton says ‘the sledge-a-thon is on’
Standing in the prime minister’s courtyard at 8am, Anthony Albanese implied Peter Dutton was taking a Trump-lite strategy on public service cuts.
Analysis
Australia votes
Halfway through his election speech, Albanese shifted gears. Here are 13 key takeaways
Our experts break down Anthony Albanese’s opening remarks after calling the election – highlighting the strategy behind his message.
Analysis
Political leadership
The 12 seats to watch most closely – and why they could determine the election
There are 150 seats in the House of Representatives, but these are a dozen electoral races you cannot take your eye off.
Opinion
Federal budget
The ‘table of truth’ tells the real story about the budget
The budget sweetener has doubled as a distraction from something the government would rather not talk about.
Millie Muroi
Economics Writer
Exclusive
Media & marketing
‘I thought I’d have an official farewell’: ABC presenter sprays management on way out door
Popular ABC radio presenter Simon Marnie, exiting after 40 years, has slammed management for wanting its talent and staff to “leave quietly”.
Ashton Hall has a five-hour morning routine. People are obsessed
CEOs, celebrities and work colleagues swear that the right start to the day increases performance and productivity. But when does it all become too much?
Two of Us
Good Weekend
Ryan accidentally swiped ‘no’ to Nell on Tinder. It took him three years to find her
Vitiligo model and content creator Onella Muralidharan represents those who don’t conform to beauty norms. Ryan Smith was enchanted the moment he saw her.
Caleb loved books and learning. He was killed on his way to school
Caleb Wesley loved learning and reading books. He was walking to the school bus stop when he was struck and killed by a car.
‘They screwed up’: Intel community aghast at Trump team’s security breach
For US allies, including Australia, the Signal chat scandal is another reminder that this administration cares little for established norms and protocols.
Breaking
Courts
Estranged partner accused of murdering mother of four near Melbourne primary school
Jessie James Tumaliuan faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his estranged partner to death metres from a primary school.
Opinion
New Zealand
Bloody hell, NZ’s come up with a tourism slogan worse than ours
Take a bow, New Zealand. Australia’s infamous “Where the bloody hell are you?” campaign is no longer the worst to come out of this region.
Robert Jackman
Opinion
Marriage
After 10 years, a marriage deserves an honest and unflinching appraisal
He was a first-time groom whose dying dad had looked at my stats sheet and warned him: “Be careful, son.”
Kate Halfpenny
Regular columnist
★★★★★
Review
Give Michelle Williams all the awards for this comedy about a terminally ill woman looking for sex
Adapted from a podcast series, Dying for Sex deals with living your life in the face of death and the strength of soul mates.
Analysis
Ukraine
‘Never seen anything like it’: How Trump plans to make Ukraine a ‘province’ of US industry
Europe and Britain will have to foot the bill for rebuilding what remains of the besieged nation, while the US scoops up its chief means of economic recovery.
Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
Analysis
Naked City
Dave was an innocent motorcyclist with young kids. He was killed by a reckless bikie on meth
This wasn’t about snitching to police but telling the truth about the death of an innocent man, so the victim’s family could have some answers.
Man who killed stranger celebrating wife’s birthday could be released next year
A killer who stabbed a man to death as the victim was leaving his wife’s birthday party could be released from jail next year.
He’s got moves like Mitchell: Why Hawks fans toast ‘Frenchie’ Mackenzie
Cam Mackenzie’s path to the AFL was unlikely. But he’s quickly found a home at Hawthorn.
Updated
Radio
Investigation finds Kyle and Jackie O breached radio decency rules
The media watchdog found that Australia’s highest-paid media stars breached standards in two segments that aired last year.
Straight talk, indie vibes: The miracle formula boosting Aussie beauty start-ups
Local entrepreneurs are edging into the global beauty market with the help of smart comms, no-BS ingredients – and stunts that get eyeballs on their products.
FEDERAL ELECTION 2025
Analysis
This election is too important to play it safe
Which side has the answer? So far, neither. Labor offers platitudes, the Liberals offer complaints.
Analysis
In 126 words of his budget reply speech, Dutton made one thing very clear
When the opposition leader looked back at three years of Albanese, he saw Australian carnage.
Victoria
For years, police tried to get inside the Hamad syndicate. Now they’ve reached a ‘turning point’
Victoria Police says the public, as well as members of a tobacco crime syndicate, are starting to co-operate with officers.
Exclusive
Liberal Party
Deeming’s costs could bankrupt Pesutto. This donor doesn’t care
Bankruptcy disqualifies anybody from being a member of parliament. Under this scenario, a live possibility, Pesutto would be forced out and a byelection called for his marginal seat of Hawthorn.
Updated
Crime
Six-year-old boy killed in alleged hit-run identified, 84yo woman released from custody
An 84-year-old woman has been released from police custody after the alleged hit-run death of a six-year-old boy.
City considers 24/7 cat curfew for Melbourne
The City of Melbourne is aiming to reduce the number of wildlife killed and pets lost or hurt on roads.
Moment AFL star launched violent attack on unsuspecting victim
Richmond Tigers defender Noah Balta has pleaded guilty to an assault that left another man in hospital with a head injury.
AFL 2025
Updated
Harry McKay won’t play for Carlton this week, and the Blues can’t say when he’ll be back
Michael Voss addressed the absence of the Blues spearhead, who is dealing with personal issues.
Opinion
Abusing your team is one thing. But filming it? You’re the embarrassment
Social media has unleashed a lot of bad stuff on modern sport, but this might be the worst development yet.
Vince Rugari
Reporter
Politics
Albanese to call election date of May 3 first thing this morning
Australians will cast their votes at a federal election on May 3 after the prime minister cleared the way for the formal campaign.
Business
Analysis
Trump's White House
Why Elon Musk is a big winner from Trump’s attack on cars
The latest escalation in Trump’s trade war has hurt car companies around the world. But among the many losers, Elon Musk’s Tesla stands out as a clear winner.
David Welch, Gabrielle Coppola and Josh Wingrove
World
Russia wants crippling sanctions ditched for Ukraine ceasefire. Europe has other ideas
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “playing games and playing for time”.
Opinion
The absurd number that exposes Victoria’s bloated government agencies
Chip Le Grand
State political editor
Labor didn’t expect to deliver this budget – that’s why they had no good material left
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
Explore
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Property
No, you can’t buy a $1.3 million home on a 2 per cent deposit
Home-buying hopefuls can get a leg-up this year, but some might need to save more than they first thought.
Photos reveal shocking reality of housing crisis
Finding a property to rent solo is a pipe dream for tenants on a budget, and listings lay bare the reality of their search.
Good Food
Lifestyle
From Gaga to tradwives: Signs of economic doom, according to the internet
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the Australian economy is on the up and up, but social media tells a different tale. Welcome to the world of “recession indicators”.
Opinion
Evolution
We’re becoming dumb and dumber – welcome to the idiocracy
Cherie Gilmour
Freelance writer
Culture
The $9m man: Aussie reality star wins one of biggest prizes in TV history
One of his biggest advantages on the show? That no one had watched Australian TV.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
‘I put the jets on’: The debutant who ignited the Bombers with his first touch
Saad El-Hawli’s electric play in the last quarter put Essendon on track for their first win of the season.
He’s got moves like Mitchell: Why Hawks fans toast ‘Frenchie’ Mackenzie
Cam Mackenzie’s path to the AFL was unlikely. But he’s quickly found a home at Hawthorn.
Bombers down Port after final term burst; Scott comes to McKay’s defence
Under-fire Essendon have delivered a stirring last-quarter comeback, including the final four goals of the game, to beat Port Adelaide by 12 points and claim their first win of the season.
The teenage competition and shift in mentality driving Australian record-holder
Olli Hoare could barely walk this time last year and battled at the Paris Olympics. Now fit, he has an urgency to be the best – and to put his teenage competition in their place.
He’s a ‘horror match-up’. But this is how rivals can take down Bulldogs star Darcy
He’s taller than most elite defenders. Throw in the wingspan of an albatross and a willingness to run and jump at the ball, and you have the monster from every backman’s nightmare.
AFL players do listen to the media. This is why using it as motivation can be risky
AFL footballers are under more scrutiny and pressure than ever before. It’s impossible to ignore it all, no matter how hard you try. But you have to put it into perspective.
Abuse cost Dennis ’40 years’ of his life. He is still waiting for the racing industry to take action
A former jockey and trackwork rider is “devastated” that the racing industry has not yet implemented all nine recommendations of a 2023 abuse report.
Have Your Say
Abusing your team is one thing. But filming it? You’re the embarrassment
Social media has unleashed a lot of bad stuff on modern sport, but this might be the worst development yet.
Vince Rugari
Reporter
