Welcome to the third edition of PremierNational’s ‘Whatever It Takes’ monthly newsletter, where Director Ilana Waldman sits down with Labor legend and powerbroker Graham Richardson to get his views on the day’s topical issues in politics.

With an election expected to be called tomorrow, Opposition leader Peter Dutton used his Budget Address in Reply to informally launch the Coalition’s election campaign.

With an election just around the corner, the Albanese Government’s 2025 Federal Budget is more than just a set of financial forecasts—it’s a final pitch to voters before Australians head to the polls.

How are we at the end of summer already? 

Here are five things the PremierNational team think are worth knowing about from government and politics in Queensland this February! 

Welcome to the second edition of PremierNational's 'Whatever It Takes' monthly newsletter, where Director Ilana Waldman sits down with Labor legend and powerbroker Graham Richardson to get his views on the day's topical issues in politics.

Welcome to PremierNational’s new regular monthly newsletter where Director, Ilana Waldman sits down with Labor legend, powerbroker and PremierNational Special Counsel, Graham Richardson, to get his views on the topical issues in politics. For this first introductory edition, we are exploring the man behind the political legend and focusing on Richo himself.

We have had a busy start to the year in Queensland with Premier David Crisafulli and his government needing to fulfil its 100 Day Plan commitments over the summer break.

Here are five things the PremierNational team think you need to know about government and politics in the Sunshine State this January!

The Minns Government has completed its first full year of Government after ending over a decade of Coalition control of NSW in March of 2023. This year saw the Minns Government implement reforms across a number of policy areas. Read PremierNational’s detailed description of these reforms below.

Elections have dominated issues in Queensland throughout 2024 with local government elections at the beginning of the year, October’s state election seeing a change of government and summer seeing the LNP, Labor and the Greens gear up for an early 2025 federal election.

The Albanese Government has had almost two years and seven months in power, and as their first term of Government after a decade in the political wilderness for Labor comes to an end, cost of living is the number one issue for many Australians.

With a federal election due by mid 2025 but more likely to be late next year, PremierNational has taken the time to look back at the political landscape of the past 12 months and forecast some of the key flashpoints Australians can expect to watch in 2024.

This week saw the final full sitting weeks of Federal and NSW Parliament. Federally, there were cuts to infrastructure spending, legislation surrounding the Murry Darling Basin and the election of a new Senator for NSW. On a state level, the final sitting fortnight saw the government withdrawing legislation that would extend the term of the Racing NSW Chairman, legislation passing that enshrines the state’s net-zero targets, IR reform and ground-breaking housing policies announced.

The New South Wales Parliament has just concluded its latest sitting period. This fortnight has been an eventful one, somewhat overshadowed by a resounding defeat of the Referendum on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament and the tragic events occurring in the Israel-Hamas war. There were also significant reforms introduced to the Night-Time Economy and Energy & Environment sectors, which were widely expected since the Minns Government came to power in March.

Today, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey handed down Budget 2023-24. This is Labor’s first State Budget since 2010 and unsurprisingly, housing took centre stage. At a time where cost of living is front and centre, the Treasurer was determined to highlight the Labor Government’s spend on putting more houses on the market and thereby hopefully reducing costs.

Federal Parliament has concluded its latest two-week sitting period, during which tempers flared as the Government batted away questions over its decision to deny extra flights to Australia by Qatar Airways, and polling on the Voice revealed the lowest support for the ‘Yes’ vote yet.

On Saturday 14 October Australia will vote in their first constitutional referendum since 1999. Australians will be asked to vote either yes or no on whether to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week announced the referendum date whilst in Adelaide, as it looks increasing likely that South Australia will be one of two key states that will need to support the Voice for it pass.

Federal Parliament has just concluded its first sitting fortnight since the winter break, during which the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme report was released, the Coalition won the Fadden by-election and the official pamphlets from the Yes and No campaigns on the Voice to Parliament referendum were published.

The New South Wales Parliament has just concluded its latest sitting period. The first week back following the winter break saw development and housing regulations back in the spotlight as the NSW Government’s proposed policy to incentivise developers to reserve portions of projects for affordable housing by offering State Significant Development classification faced new hurdles. This week also saw the Minns Government lose its first minister, Tim Crakanthorp.

The New South Wales parliament has just concluded its latest two-week sitting period. The fortnight was dominated by news from outside parliament, with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) handing down its report on former Premier Gladys Berejiklian.