Sliding doors: cabinet papers reveal how close Coalition came to endorsing emissions trading in 2003
The Howard government drafted a statement declaring its support for an emissions trading scheme before abruptly changing course
October 2023
Plan to build Aukus submarines in Adelaide is ‘a fairytale’ and ‘pork barrelling’, Alexander Downer says
Former foreign minister says building nuclear submarines at South Australian shipyard will ‘drain the national economy’
October 2022
UK taps Alexander Downer for ‘independent’ oversight of asylum seeker deportation plan
Former Howard-era foreign secretary was involved in setting up controversial offshore processing regime in Australia
July 2022
Home Office accused of dodging scrutiny over Channel crossings strategy
Border Force tactics against small boats in Channel found to be ‘ineffective and inefficient’
May 2022
José Ramos-Horta accuses Alexander Downer of ‘distorting’ issues around 2004 Timor-Leste bugging
Exclusive: President of south-east Asian nation says Australia used cover of ‘supposedly altruistic foreign aid program’ to spy on behalf of oil companies
April 2022
Alexander Downer features in UK video promoting Britain’s ‘new plan for immigration’
Former Australian foreign minister says ‘no one will end up being able to reside in the UK if they pay a people smuggler’, in UK Home Office video
February 2022
Guardian Australia Reads
‘Stop and enjoy your life’ – how to rethink work after the pandemic
Alexander Downer is the wrong choice to review the UK’s border force – Australia’s record is nothing to emulate
Daniel Ghezelbash
‘Deeply concerning’: British government picks Alexander Downer to review UK’s border force
Alexander Downer called Timor-Leste an ‘open book’ for Australia in 2000, tribunal hears
January 2022
I bought six suitcases from Alexander Downer thinking they were empty. The fishnets fell out first
I wanted to use the motley collection of old brown leather cases as hipster-type storage – but inside, I found dolls, dress-up clothes, letters and more
December 2021
John Howard and the ABC: desire for cuts came up against Liberal support for broadcaster
The Coalition government was left with a dilemma after the ABC had to scale back its international broadcasts
November 2021
Calls for former Australian PMs to stay silent are hypocritical examples of conservative cancel culture
Kevin Rudd
There is great danger in the view that only serving politicians have a place in our public square
October 2020
Can the Centre Alliance hold? Rebekha Sharkie faces 'betrayal' claims after universities vote
The South Australian MP treads a narrow path amid changing demographics in her seat of Mayo and accusations of Liberal sympathies
August 2020
Witness K is in the dock but institutions vital to Australia’s democracy are on trial
Ian Cunliffe
Some people seem to be above the law. Those people do not include the whistleblower and his lawyer, Bernard Collaery
July 2020
The secrecy in the Witness K case is an attempt by the government to avoid scrutiny
Luke Gosling
There is no obvious national security reason for a secret trial. If there is, the government should publicly explain what it is
November 2019
Postcolonial
Australia's history with East Timor isn’t pretty but it must be told truthfully
Paul Daley
Alexander Downer says Australia should reduce UK intelligence sharing if Corbyn wins
October 2019
Australian ambassador offered to participate in Barr inquiry before official US request
Revealed: the QAnon conspiracy theorist who is friends with Australian PM Scott Morrison
