Political journalist Karen Middleton is based in the Canberra Press Gallery. Her books include Albanese: Telling It Straight (Penguin, 2016).
National affairs
The ICJ takes on climate
Karen Middleton
25 July 2025
The International Court of Justice has opened the door for human rights–based legal action against recalcitrant governments
National affairs
Let’s just get this done, shall we?
Karen Middleton
18 July 2025
A former Treasury secretary lays down the environmental law
National affairs
Officer-induced jeopardy
Karen Middleton
11 July 2025
The NT coroner spells out the long series of events that led to Kumanjayi Walker’s death
National affairs
Crimes Act’s cyber tidy-up
Karen Middleton
4 July 2025
An auspiciously timed amendment to departmental responsibilities highlights a long delay in federal electronic-surveillance reforms
National affairs
A self-proclaimed zealot throws down the gauntlet
Karen Middleton
27 June 2025
A leaked transcript of a Liberal Women’s Council meeting highlights the challenges facing Sussan Ley over women’s representation
National affairs
Taxing times
Karen Middleton
20 June 2025
Jim Chalmers wants to “test the appetite” for more ambitious productivity reforms
National affairs
AUKUS’s missing price tag
Karen Middleton
13 June 2025
Anthony Albanese heads to Canada for an uncertain meeting with an unpredictable president
National affairs
Labor’s Russian embassy headache returns to court
Karen Middleton
6 June 2025
The looming hearing recalls cold war battles and a more recent courtroom defeat
National affairs
The Senate’s status seekers
Karen Middleton
30 May 2025
Having lost Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to the Liberals, the National Party has tried to entice at least one senator from the crossbenches
National affairs
David Littleproud’s own goal
Karen Middleton
23 May 2025
The week the Nationals’ leader overplayed his hand
National affairs
Sussan Ley and the Liberal right: a short history
Karen Middleton
16 May 2025
Will the party swing behind its new leader?
National affairs
“This is our mandate”
Karen Middleton
9 May 2025
Despite a remarkable win, caution will remain the watchword of the Albanese prime ministership
National affairs
How Peter Dutton misread the electorate
Karen Middleton
2 May 2025
A misconceived election strategy’s long history
National affairs
The incumbency factor
Karen Middleton
25 April 2025
Retirements by longstanding MPs are adding to the election campaign’s complexity as it heads into its final week
National affairs
Sowing doubt in Dutton’s Dickson
Karen Middleton
18 April 2025
Targeting the opposition leader’s seat serves more than one purpose for Labor
National affairs
A small target has suddenly got bigger
Karen Middleton
11 April 2025
Attacking the government might have given the Coalition some easy wins over the past three years, but does it add up to an election strategy?
National affairs
Tricks of the trade
Karen Middleton
4 April 2025
Australia’s narrow escape from tariffs during Donald Trump’s first presidency created hostility that could complicate efforts to respond to his latest move
National affairs
Pre-election giveaways
Karen Middleton
28 March 2025
The last week of parliament exposed where the tensions lie on both sides of politics
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