David Speers

LAURA TINGLE, PRESENTER: David, Penny Wong is always very cautious in her approach. What do you think lies behind her decision to flag formal recognition of Palestine at this particular point of time?

Anthony Albanese is turning his mind to a second term agenda and the best way to secure it. Which is perhaps not surprising, given we're now roughly 12 months away from the last opportunity he'll have to call an election.

Two horrific attacks in Sydney have sparked debate over what defines an ideologically motivated attack, and whether deliberately targeting women should count as an act of terror.

Given these two horrific attacks happened within days of each other in the same city, the debate over how they've been differently labelled is perhaps inevitable.

Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers have a pre-budget problem. They haven't yet won over one of the most important voices in the economic debate on their bold plan for a "Future Made in Australia".

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Former treasury secretary Ken Henry has called for a "neutral" federal budget next week, warning against spending cuts while the economy is "on a knife edge."

Former Treasury secretary Ken Henry has been involved in putting together more budgets than most, and while he can understand the clamour to bring down inflation, he has a different view to most commentators on what role the budget should play.

Most economists see Tuesday's budget as an opportunity to rein in spending and bring down inflation — not Ken Henry.

The storm of outrage over a $300 power bill rebate going to all households clearly left the Treasurer somewhat bemused during yesterday's post-budget media rounds.