Emily Barrett
@emilysky.bsky.social
Managing editor at The Saturday Paper. Australian–American and vice versa. Admirer of well-constructed sentences.
Watt talked to @kjbar.bsky.social about how he plans to get environment law reform across the line this year, despite opposition from the Greens and Coalition. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environ... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Watt’s race to environment law reform
Environment Minister Murray Watt tells The Saturday Paper he is convinced his reforms will pass before the end of the year, although the Greens and the Coalition are both wary of supporting them in th...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
November 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Watt talked to @kjbar.bsky.social about how he plans to get environment law reform across the line this year, despite opposition from the Greens and Coalition. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environ... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke spoke to @kjbar.bsky.social: “The loudest, the angriest voices have become emboldened”.. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/2025/10... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
The Burke interview: ‘A tinderbox for the angriest voice’
The home affairs minister says divisive voices are the loudest they have ever been in Australia – but a ‘ballast’ of cohesion remains and economic policies will calm the electorate.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
October 18, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke spoke to @kjbar.bsky.social: “The loudest, the angriest voices have become emboldened”.. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/2025/10... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
How a consultancy helped the fossil fuel lobby capture a landmark Labor policy — an important story from Mike Seccombe: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environ... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
How the fossil fuel lobby captured a landmark Labor policy
The federal government’s Future Gas Strategy, which backs extending production through to 2050 and beyond, is based on contested EY research commissioned by Australian Energy Producers.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
October 18, 2025 at 4:48 AM
How a consultancy helped the fossil fuel lobby capture a landmark Labor policy — an important story from Mike Seccombe: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environ... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
“The people who are most angry about immigration are really angry about globalisation, because they’ve been the losers from it… What they saw was cosmopolitan elites taking all the profits of those efficiency gains.” www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/economy... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Everything that’s wrong with this immigration debate
As anti-immigration sentiment is politicised around the world, new arrivals to Australia are being portrayed as detrimental to the economy – when in fact the opposite is true.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
October 5, 2025 at 4:49 AM
“The people who are most angry about immigration are really angry about globalisation, because they’ve been the losers from it… What they saw was cosmopolitan elites taking all the profits of those efficiency gains.” www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/economy... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
It is an honour to work with this vengeful god, @squigglyrick.bsky.social -- who is, for the record, extremely talented and mostly benign. www.smh.com.au/culture/book...
How robo-debt turned this prize-winning author into a ‘vengeful god’
Rick Morton has won a Prime Minister’s Literary Award for his non-fiction book Mean Streak. He’d trade it all for justice for the victims.
www.smh.com.au
September 30, 2025 at 3:19 AM
It is an honour to work with this vengeful god, @squigglyrick.bsky.social -- who is, for the record, extremely talented and mostly benign. www.smh.com.au/culture/book...
Monique Ryan writes: Labor is walking back from its vision for the CDC at a time when we need it to be brave and bold. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi... cdc-lacks-budget-and-vision?utm_source=bsky via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Labor’s CDC lacks budget and vision
Never before has Australia more needed a full-service, independent Centre for Disease Control, able to address the rising challenges of disease, both infectious and non-communicable. Medical experts f...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
September 28, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Monique Ryan writes: Labor is walking back from its vision for the CDC at a time when we need it to be brave and bold. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi... cdc-lacks-budget-and-vision?utm_source=bsky via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Climate Change Authority head describes how to achieve Australia’s new emissions reduction target www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
How to achieve the new climate target
Picture 2035, a decade hence: 31 million Australians are taking pride in the progress we’ve made to tackle climate change. Our homes and offices have become hyper-efficient and cosy, with many generat...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
September 20, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Climate Change Authority head describes how to achieve Australia’s new emissions reduction target www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Read Sam Roggeveen on how AUKUS and its associated basing initiatives cut directly against Australia’s Pacific diplomatic push.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
How AUKUS shapes Australia’s Pacific Islands relationship
ANALYSIS: The AUKUS submarines project contradicts the logic of the government’s diplomatic efforts across the Pacific Islands to forestall China.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
September 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Read Sam Roggeveen on how AUKUS and its associated basing initiatives cut directly against Australia’s Pacific diplomatic push.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Reposted by Emily Barrett
Semafor on Republicans who now think the First Amendment offers too much freedom of speech. Sen. Lummis: "I feel like something’s changed culturally...We just can’t let people call each other those kinds of insane things."
Kimmel’s suspension prompts free-speech Republicans to reconsider their boundaries
One Republican said she no longer considers the First Amendment to “be sort of the ultimate right,” as she would “in normal circumstances.”
www.semafor.com
September 18, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Semafor on Republicans who now think the First Amendment offers too much freedom of speech. Sen. Lummis: "I feel like something’s changed culturally...We just can’t let people call each other those kinds of insane things."
“It’s not all coming from her. She’s getting bad advice from some actors,” Liberal powerbroker Alex Hawke tells @kjbar.bsky.social www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
‘I despair for this party’: Inside Jacinta Price’s sacking
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has stood firm against another far-right attack on her leadership, but it has exposed a struggle between the Liberal Party’s powerbrokers.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
September 13, 2025 at 7:29 AM
“It’s not all coming from her. She’s getting bad advice from some actors,” Liberal powerbroker Alex Hawke tells @kjbar.bsky.social www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Excellent interview by @kjbar.bsky.social: Murray Watt has met with the WA premier 4 times since taking on the environment “fixer” role. And just once apiece with his Greens and Coalition counterparts. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Exclusive: Watt on his plans for urgent environment law reform
Environment Minister Murray Watt rejects criticisms that he’s bowing to Western Australian interests on key reform, and wants to seize a window of opportunity to work with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
September 7, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Excellent interview by @kjbar.bsky.social: Murray Watt has met with the WA premier 4 times since taking on the environment “fixer” role. And just once apiece with his Greens and Coalition counterparts. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
A note on Linda Reynolds www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/edit... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
A note on Linda Reynolds
A brief list of things that can be said about Linda Reynolds without defaming her…
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
August 30, 2025 at 4:25 AM
A note on Linda Reynolds www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/edit... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Insightful analysis from @chriswallace.bsky.social. Albanese wants us to consider the full suite of Labor’s housing policies, but at the core of its agenda is a commitment to keep prices from falling. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
The cunning design of Labor’s housing policy
Got $75,000 and never owned a home? The Albanese government is here to underwrite your $1.5 million Sydney property purchase through its newly relaxed and expanded Home Guarantee Scheme. First-home bu...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
August 30, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Insightful analysis from @chriswallace.bsky.social. Albanese wants us to consider the full suite of Labor’s housing policies, but at the core of its agenda is a commitment to keep prices from falling. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Interesting piece from Mike Seccombe on how the attacks on Labor's super tax reform expose holes in the independents' progressive agenda: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Super stoush reveals teals’ leanings
The attacks on Labor’s proposed superannuation tax reform have exposed inconsistencies in the progressive agendas of the independents.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
May 31, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Interesting piece from Mike Seccombe on how the attacks on Labor's super tax reform expose holes in the independents' progressive agenda: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Murray Watt is known as a fixer. What will he do for the environment? Mike Seccombe spoke to the new minister. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environ... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Murray Watt’s first task as environment minister
Murray Watt, known for his effectiveness, is confident he can deliver long-delayed environmental reform. His first and most consequential task is the ‘carbon bomb’ project awaiting approval.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
May 24, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Murray Watt is known as a fixer. What will he do for the environment? Mike Seccombe spoke to the new minister. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environ... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
“These people are like a cancer in the Liberal Party…if they have their way, they will kill the Liberal Party for good.” @jsocrates.bsky.social reports: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Exclusive: How Abbott and Credlin control the Liberals
Liberal MPs reveal how the former prime minister and his close confidante have been at the centre of a string of disastrous decisions that led to the party’s stunning election loss and the collapse of...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
May 24, 2025 at 11:19 PM
“These people are like a cancer in the Liberal Party…if they have their way, they will kill the Liberal Party for good.” @jsocrates.bsky.social reports: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
“They are hopelessly internally divided on net zero. You could say we are, but we’re actually not.” Liberal insiders talked to @kjbar.bsky.social … www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
‘Tail’s wagged the dog’: The Coalition’s implosion
The Nationals staked their political future on four policy positions, in what looks increasingly like a messy and misguided coup.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
May 24, 2025 at 11:12 PM
“They are hopelessly internally divided on net zero. You could say we are, but we’re actually not.” Liberal insiders talked to @kjbar.bsky.social … www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Strong swings to Labor see Albanese win second term as Coalition loses leader www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/2025/05... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Albanese wins second term as Coalition loses leader
Anthony Albanese’s Labor government has won the election resoundingly, securing a majority with strong swings around the country, and Peter Dutton has lost his seat of Dickson.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
May 4, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Strong swings to Labor see Albanese win second term as Coalition loses leader www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/2025/05... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Happy election day to all who observe (all of us).. Here’s where it will be won and lost: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Where the election will be won and lost
Today’s election will likely prove historic for the Liberal Party’s vote, with seats such as Robertson shaping as new bellwethers.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
May 3, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Happy election day to all who observe (all of us).. Here’s where it will be won and lost: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Exclusive from @kjbar.bsky.social: David Pocock lays out his two top priorities in talks for a minority government. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Exclusive: David Pocock’s demands of a minority government
In an interview with The Saturday Paper, the independent ACT senator lays out the two top conditions for his support in the likely scenario of a hung parliament.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
April 12, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Exclusive from @kjbar.bsky.social: David Pocock lays out his two top priorities in talks for a minority government. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
“What I keep seeing in Washington is President Trump and Republican and Democratic lawmakers, all talking about Australia...That’s reassuring, but the flip side is that with visibility comes with risk." www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
‘We are being tested’: Inside Labor’s trade war strategy
The distraction of an erratic US-driven trade war is forcing Labor to pivot on the campaign trail, while offering opportunities to sharpen its pitch as the superior economic manager.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
April 12, 2025 at 3:02 AM
“What I keep seeing in Washington is President Trump and Republican and Democratic lawmakers, all talking about Australia...That’s reassuring, but the flip side is that with visibility comes with risk." www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Saul Griffith on a key Australian election issue: "A lowest-cost energy system that also rapidly addresses climate change. Fortunately, these things are no longer in conflict. Zero-emission, all-electric is also going to be the lowest-cost energy system." www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi...
The simple path to zero carbon
There is a lot of good in Australian climate policy, and some bad. The good news is that energy is on the political agenda this election cycle and finally we are seeing a race to the top. Electrificat...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
April 12, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Saul Griffith on a key Australian election issue: "A lowest-cost energy system that also rapidly addresses climate change. Fortunately, these things are no longer in conflict. Zero-emission, all-electric is also going to be the lowest-cost energy system." www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi...
The timing of this election has tilted the playing field, Mike Seccombe reports.
(And in case you missed it — until midnight, you can get 20% off a subscription…) www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic...
(And in case you missed it — until midnight, you can get 20% off a subscription…) www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic...
Inside story: How Albanese’s late election sent the teals broke
Independent campaigns were structured around an April 12 election – and the decision to go later has added roughly $250,000 to required spending in each seat.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
March 29, 2025 at 10:53 PM
The timing of this election has tilted the playing field, Mike Seccombe reports.
(And in case you missed it — until midnight, you can get 20% off a subscription…) www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic...
(And in case you missed it — until midnight, you can get 20% off a subscription…) www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic...
It’s finally official! The five-week campaign for the federal election is under way — here’s what’s at stake on May 3: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
What’s at stake on May 3
The prime minister has kicked off a longawaited official campaign that most believe will deliver a hung parliament, as the independents work to harness growing voter disaffection with the major partie...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
March 28, 2025 at 5:51 AM
It’s finally official! The five-week campaign for the federal election is under way — here’s what’s at stake on May 3: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Reposted by Emily Barrett
In Labor’s re-election pitch, Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ fourth budget sees the nation’s books back in the red, with $17 billion dollars’ worth of tax cuts and efforts to “Trump-proof” the Australian economy.
Federal budget unveils tax cuts and improved forecasts
The Albanese government delivers an election-eve budget focused on the priorities of health, education and cost-of-living, sweetened with tax cuts and more positive revisions to the economic outlook —...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
March 25, 2025 at 9:07 AM
In Labor’s re-election pitch, Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ fourth budget sees the nation’s books back in the red, with $17 billion dollars’ worth of tax cuts and efforts to “Trump-proof” the Australian economy.