After forty years of covering politics from Canberra’s press gallery, Laura Tingle is stepping away from that part of her work. Honestly, that’s huge. If you’ve followed Australian politics, there’s a good chance you’ve heard her name or read her work at some point. On her final episode of "The Party Room" podcast, she joined Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas — who she’s been working with for ages — for one last chat.
It wasn’t some overly emotional goodbye, but you could tell it meant a lot. They talked, they laughed, and they even joked about having a last strawberry daiquiri together. There was warmth in the conversation, but also a real sense that this was the end of a very important era in political reporting.
Laura’s still sticking around at ABC’s 7.30, so it’s not like she’s disappearing. But her stepping back from the gallery feels like a big shift, especially for people who’ve been following politics through her lens for decades.
The Coalition gets a shake-up — but not everyone’s thrilled
Right around the same time, Coalition leader Sussan Ley revealed the new shadow cabinet lineup. This is her way of showing that the party is moving forward, with a bit of fresh energy and maybe trying to shake off some of the old baggage.
Some younger or less expected names got promoted, which usually signals that a leader is trying to refresh the image of the team. But not everyone was happy. A few familiar and experienced faces didn’t make the cut this time, and that raised some eyebrows.
It’s also worth noting that this reshuffle has to work for both Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud. They’ll need to keep things steady between their parties — and, let’s be honest, that’s not always easy. If there’s any tension behind the scenes, now’s the time it could surface.
So, while it looks like a bold new team on paper, it’ll take some time to see whether this actually helps the Coalition move forward — or if it just adds to the internal noise.
Reconciliation Week brings pressure on Albanese Government
We’re in the middle of Reconciliation Week right now, and there’s a lot of talk about what the Albanese Government might do next — especially around Treaty and Truth.
Former Labor Senator Pat Dodson, who’s been one of the strongest voices for reconciliation for decades, has come out and said it clearly: now’s the time to act. With Labor holding a strong majority, they’re in a position to finally move beyond promises and actually deliver something meaningful.
But there’s still uncertainty. After last year’s Voice to Parliament referendum didn’t go the way supporters had hoped, there’s been a bit of a silence from the government on what comes next. People are watching closely — not just activists or Indigenous leaders, but everyday Australians who care about where we go from here.
This week could be a turning point, or it could be just more talk. That’s the big question.
