Peter Hartcher
Peter Hartcher is political editor and international editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Opinion
US politics
Forget the debt ceiling, the entire roof’s collapsing on America
America’s restless struggle against the very concepts of governance and government increasingly threatens the survival of a normal, functional nation state.
- by Peter Hartcher
Latest
Opinion
Federal budget
Labor was always the ‘mummy’ party. With this surplus, it’s ‘daddy’ as well
The ALP is seen to excel in the “caring” fields of health and education, but Anthony Albanese wants to take all the adult roles, leaving the Coalition with nothing but kids’ stuff.
- by Peter Hartcher
Analysis
Federal budget
We’re back in surplus, but did Labor nail it? Our experts give their verdicts
Jim Chalmers’ second budget delivers a bumper surplus – but questions remain about where the government goes next. Here’s what our experts think.
- by David Crowe, Shane Wright, Jacqueline Maley, Ross Gittins, Peter Hartcher and Matt Wade
Opinion
Federal budget
The Liberals had nine years. It took Labor just one to snatch the Holy Grail
Was there some luck involved in delivering this year’s surplus? Of course. But the Coalition had lucky years too and failed.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
Russia-Ukraine war
Putin fighting a losing battle as he condemns Russian army to senseless slaughter
In the time it takes you to read this article, two more Russian soldiers will have been killed or wounded in Ukraine as Putin presides over a human and military catastrophe.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
Federal budget
The US is stealing Australia’s ‘core’. Gym Chalmers needs the energy to stop it
Offering something over a trillion dollars’ worth of incentives for renewables investment in the US has made America the irresistible investment vortex of the planet.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
China relations
Troubled waters as China pushes the boat out on intimidation
Beijing’s increasing aggression towards the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan points to an administration intent on flexing its regional muscle.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
ALP
Albanese cooks up tasty recipe for revival
To consolidate as a centrist reformer, Anthony Albanese needs to consolidate as a responsible manager of the treasury. The budget is his opportunity to do so.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
Defence
Defence review’s a good beginning, but lacks a middle and an end
The defence review lays out the “profound” risks facing Australia. But questions remain about how we will protect and defend ourselves over the next decade and beyond.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
Liberal Party
The Liberal Party is dying and Dutton can’t even diagnose the disease
Peter Dutton reassured the party it was suffering the normal fortunes of the electoral cycle, but unless it can attract more women, they will be out.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
Foreign relations
Penny Wong is not intimidated by China, nor its local cheerleader
Paul Keating was not the main target of Penny Wong’s appearance at the National Press Club on Monday. But she hit him anyway.
- by Peter Hartcher