Politics

Pressure is mounting for Jim Chalmers to sharpen the axe in his upcoming Federal Budget as economists from Deloitte warn years of revenue windfalls have ‘papered over’ structural flaws in the nation’s finances.

President Donald Trump’s pick for next US Ambassador to Australia has told close confidantes he will help advocate for the AUKUS submarine deal if he is approved for the Canberra posting.

Documents obtained by The Nightly reveal that key departments did not advise Anthony Albanese about a royal commission in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, despite his claims to the contrary.

No charges have been laid.

The Federal Court has made its decision about a 2023 tweet from Mark Latham about fellow MP Alex Greenwich which was thought to be homophobic.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: While King Charles fed chickens in Harlem his wife, Queen Camilla, read Winnie-the-Pooh at the New York Public Library.

Jim Chalmers has hosed down speculation that his upcoming Budget will score a big revenue boost from tax reform and the Middle East war.

A soaring in crude oil prices back to $US120 a barrel is now tipped to wipe out fuel excise tax relief and push up housing construction costs.

MARK RILEY: Expect the May Budget to break previously inviolable commitments not to tinker with property taxes

ASIO warned repeatedly about the increased risk of a terrorist attack and the rise of anti-Semitism in the year before the Bondi Beach shooting, the Bell royal commission has found.

The Treasurer concedes the latest inflation figures are ‘confronting’ and has used a string of media interviews to again pin the increase to soaring fuel and oil costs caused by the war in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says countries need to work together ‘to keep fuel and goods ​flowing’ during a visit to China.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have spoken on the phone as a Ukrainian drone attack struck an oil pumping station in Russia.

James Comey turned himself in on two charges, including threatening the life of the president and transmitting threats across state lines.