Cut Through

In just four months, social media platforms will be forced to ban kids aged 16 and under. How will that work? No-one actually knows. Crikey associate editor and tech journalist Cam Wilson has been closely following the progress of the teen social media ban – from the push for a ban by commercial radio host Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli, to the rushed legislation, aggressive lobbying by the tech giants, a...

Treasurer Jim Chalmers held his much-hyped Economic Reform Roundtable this week, with politicians and a selective list of experts, leaders and business executives discussing solutions for the challenges facing the Australian economy. Boring? Yeah. But given this three-day meeting will shape the next three federal budgets, it deserves your scrutiny. Economist Jason Murphy joins readers’ editor Crys...

For years the Labor government has insisted Palestinian statehood could only come “at the end” of a peace process with Israel. This week, Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong announced an abrupt change: the time to recognise the state of Palestine is, apparently, now.  Readers’ editor Crystal Andrews and politics editor Bernard Keane discuss what caused the Labor government to shift its position o...

In the first episode of our new weekly podcast, we’re addressing the biggest criticism of Crike y: that we’re too hard or too soft on Labor… and the Coalition. And the Greens, the independents, One Nation. You get the picture.  Cut Through host Crystal Andrews speaks to editor-in-chief Sophie Black and politics editor Bernard Keane about how Crikey plans to cover the 48th Parliament, and how...

In the final episode of Electioncast for 2025, Crystal Andrews and political editor Bernard Keane dissect the latest political plot twist: the end of the Coalition. While it’s not the first time the Nats and Libs have been on-again, off-again, the effects will be felt by everyone – even those who have never, and would never, vote for them. Plus, Bernard reflects on his journalistic process in the...

Surprise, Electioncast is back! In this bonus episode, Crystal Andrews and associate editor Cam Wilson dissect the campaign antics of right-wing lobby group Advance, who spent millions in advertising against progressive MPs like the Greens’ Max Chandler-Mather and independent Zoe Daniel.  Advance is celebrating the loss of key Greens seats as proof of its influence, but how much of an impact...

Well, that sure was something! In this post-election episode, Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and readers editor Crystal Andrews discuss why this resounding Labor win by Anthony Albanese is so unique in Australian politics, review what the polls (and Electioncast!) got wrong, and speculate about what’s next for a dazed and confused Coalition.  Then Anton Nilsson  shares the insights...

We’re at the pointy end now, and an astonishing poll is predicting a whopping Labor majority. Can that really be right? Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and readers’ editor Crystal Andrews discuss the final YouGov poll of the campaign, and what the growing support of Pauline Hanson and One Nation means for the next parliament – and the future of Australian politics.  Then, media reporter...

Underneath the noisy narratives of the big election fight between Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton, there are individual, very tight contests taking place in battleground seats. It’s in these electorates that Australia’s next government could be decided.  Crikey associate editor Cam Wilson and readers’ editor Crystal Andrews reveal how major parties use your personal data in highly-targeted...

Labor and the Coalition agree with voters: this is the housing election. But despite making headline-grabbing housing policy a focus of their official campaign launches, both parties' plans have been criticised by... pretty much everyone. Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and readers editor Crystal Andrews unpack the policy promises, and ask why politicians refuse to address the problem at the...

Peter Dutton’s flopping, and Labor has surged ahead in the most recent polls. Does this kill the prospect of any kind of minority government? Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and readers editor Crystal Andrews discuss why Anthony Albanese’s fortunes appear to have changed so quickly, and if NSW Labor’s response to the historic NSW doctor’s strike is damaging federal Labor’s health credentials....

It took six days into the federal election campaign for Donald Trump to throw his first grenade. The US President’s “Liberation Day” tariffs have put the world on the brink of a global trade war and ramped up the pressure on the major parties to pitch a clear path forward. Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and readers editor Crystal Andrews discuss what the US tariffs mean for the election, Ant...

Crikey's Electioncast is back! Every Friday throughout the 2025 federal election campaign, we'll bring you political analysis that cuts through the spin. Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hoste...

The 2022 federal election is officially in the books. On today's edition of the Electioncast , audience editor Imogen Champagne speaks to Kishor Napier-Raman, Amber Schultz, Bernard Keane and Charlie Lewis about a remarkable result that will change the way we think about Australian politics. Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is s...

On the eve of the 2022 election, political editor Bernard Keane talks to associate editor Amber Schultz about how the campaign evolved over the weeks, what issues became the focus and what the legacy of the teal independents will be. Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our sub...

The last week of the election has been centred around costings: when will they be announced, what will they show and whether they matter. On today's Electioncast , news editor Georgia Wilkins dissects the electoral tradition of policy costings, along with introducing Crikey 's 'Campaign of Lies and Falsehoods' dossier. Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s...

them. Scott Morrison reset his campaign during a speech at the Liberal Party launch on Sunday. On today's Electioncast , federal politics reporter Kishor Napier-Raman debriefs on Anthony Albanese's last-minute pitch at the National Press Club today. Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue co...

One of the main ways that political parties get a message out to voters is by paying Facebook. On today's Electioncast , associate editor Cam Wilson speaks with Georgia Wilkins about the different ways the parties are using Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms to win your vote this election. Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent j...

A promise to let first home buyers dip into their super was the centre of the Liberal Party's campaign launch yesterday. On today's Electioncast , Bernard Keane speaks to Tips and Murmurs editor Charlie Lewis about how this is just the latest example of Scott Morrison creating policy that puts young Australians last. Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s i...

A handful of seats held on a razor thin margin could decide the 2022 federal election. On today's Electioncast , associate editor Amber Schultz speaks about traveling across NSW to seats that still bear the scars of the Black Summer bushfires. Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes fr...

Some view the West as key to the 2022 election, which is perhaps why the last leaders debate between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese were scheduled at a much more palatable time for sandgropers. On today's Electioncast , our man in the west Charlie Lewis spoke to Imogen Champagne about the debate and what he's seeing on the ground in WA. Sign up to Crikey ’s fr...

After going guns blazing after Bill Shorten in the 2019 election — a decision that Labor thinks lost them the election — all eyes are on Clive Palmer and what he does in the dying days of the campaign. On today's Electioncast , federal politics reporter Kishor Napier-Raman spoke to news editor Georgia Wilkins about the Australian political chaos agent and whether he'll keep attacking both maj...

The 2022 federal election campaign has brought to the fore questions about political journalism and how it best serves the audience. On today's Electioncast , Crikey investigations editor David Hardaker explains to audience editor Imogen Champagne about an open letter he wrote to Australian journalists about how improving the quality of coverage rests on their shoulders. Sign up to Crikey ’s free...

On today's Electioncast , Crikey 's federal politics reporter Kishor Napier-Raman debriefs after a particularly shouty leaders debate and yet another bad set of polls for the Coalition. Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires;...

The rise of 'teal' independents is evidence that polarisation is growing not merely between states in Australia but between urban and regional communities. Crikey's political editor Bernard Keane spoke to associate editor Amber Schultz about how Scott Morrison is stoking this as an electoral strategy. Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journ...