The ALP has just held its national conference, in Brisbane, but most of the progressive ideas were discussed only on the fringes, and on the streets outside, with the official debate constrained. Down in Sydney, things pushed further into crazy-land at the Conservative Political Action Conference, an Australian version of the Trump-worshipping American event.

A parliamentary committee led by federal Labor MP Peta Murphy has recommended strong action against gambling advertising, throwing new light on the pernicious relationship of gambling to Australians and Australian politics.

Parliament hasn't been sitting this week in Canberra, but the ramifications of recent federal budget decisions continue to ripple out, with the student debts of three million Australians rising 7.1 percent, in line with inflation.

PM Anthony Albanese was back on the international stage this weekend, on the sidelines of the G7 in Hiroshima, but a housing minefield awaits him at home, with the government finding few friends for its proposed Housing Australia Future Fund.

Aspirational political parties are judged on how they deliver dreams. Vision politicians are judged according to how many of their visions turn out to be mirages. The task is much harder for the ALP at a federal level than a party like the modern Liberals, who have no apparent aspirations apart from making rich people richer, and making poor people feel guilty for not being rich.

The Ballina electorate's representative in NSW state parliament has had an eventful year. The Echo caught up with Tamara Smith at Ballina Seabird & Turtle Rescue to talk about the political highlights and lowlights of 2021.

Last week, Acting PM Michael McCormack managed the tricky feat of making the absent Scott Morrison look good, at least by comparison. Perhaps that's now the Nationals' role in the Canberra circus?

As if I don’t have enough to deal with, my empathy coach just cancelled my appointments because someone in his family ‘just died unexpectedly’.

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Federal Member for Hughes Craig Kelly has resigned from the Liberal Party, technically throwing Scott Morrison's government into minority as it grapples with scandals from within and without.