menu_open Columnists
Peter Hartcher

Peter Hartcher

The Sydney Morning Herald

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

It’s not the crisis the PM wants, but it’s the opportunity he needs

It’s not the crisis the PM wants, but it’s the opportunity he needs

Fuel price hikes and shortages have created a sense of emergency. But that’s not the only reason Anthony Albanese should seize this moment to drive...

yesterday 9

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

It’s not the crisis the PM wants, but it’s the opportunity he needs

It’s not the crisis the PM wants, but it’s the opportunity he needs

Fuel price hikes and shortages have created a sense of emergency. But that’s not the only reason Anthony Albanese should seize this moment to drive...

yesterday 10

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

It’s not the crisis the PM wants, but it’s the opportunity he needs

It’s not the crisis the PM wants, but it’s the opportunity he needs

Fuel price hikes and shortages have created a sense of emergency. But that’s not the only reason Anthony Albanese should seize this moment to drive...

yesterday 10

The Age

Peter Hartcher

It’s not the crisis the PM wants, but it’s the opportunity he needs

It’s not the crisis the PM wants, but it’s the opportunity he needs

Fuel price hikes and shortages have created a sense of emergency. But that’s not the only reason Anthony Albanese should seize this moment to drive...

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

If Trump’s America is not winning this war – and it’s not – who is?

If Trump’s America is not winning this war – and it’s not – who is?

US credibility is harmed, its power in the Indo-Pacific is drained and its munitions stocks are depleted. Yet the president can’t say what his goal...

17.03.2026 20

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

If Trump’s America is not winning this war – and it’s not – who is?

If Trump’s America is not winning this war – and it’s not – who is?

US credibility is harmed, its power in the Indo-Pacific is drained and its munitions stocks are depleted. Yet the president can’t say what his goal...

17.03.2026 20

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

If Trump’s America is not winning this war – and it’s not – who is?

If Trump’s America is not winning this war – and it’s not – who is?

US credibility is harmed, its power in the Indo-Pacific is drained and its munitions stocks are depleted. Yet the president can’t say what his goal...

17.03.2026 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

If Trump’s America is not winning this war – and it’s not – who is?

If Trump’s America is not winning this war – and it’s not – who is?

US credibility is harmed, its power in the Indo-Pacific is drained and its munitions stocks are depleted. Yet the president can’t say what his goal...

17.03.2026 10

The Age

Peter Hartcher

Matt Canavan has done in an hour what Angus Taylor failed to do in a month

Matt Canavan has done in an hour what Angus Taylor failed to do in a month

Australia - the complacent country - is receiving a wake-up call on race, resilience and energy.

14.03.2026 10

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

Matt Canavan has done in an hour what Angus Taylor failed to do in a month

Matt Canavan has done in an hour what Angus Taylor failed to do in a month

Australia - the complacent country - is receiving a wake-up call on race, resilience and energy.

14.03.2026 20

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

Matt Canavan has done in an hour what Angus Taylor failed to do in a month

Matt Canavan has done in an hour what Angus Taylor failed to do in a month

Australia - the complacent country - is receiving a wake-up call on race, resilience and energy.

14.03.2026 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

Matt Canavan has done in an hour what Angus Taylor failed to do in a month

Matt Canavan has done in an hour what Angus Taylor failed to do in a month

Australia - the complacent country - is receiving a wake-up call on race, resilience and energy.

14.03.2026 10

The Age

Peter Hartcher

In Trump’s chaotic theatre of war, there’s only one lead role

For most people, violence is risky. For the US president, it’s a spectacle.

10.03.2026 10

The Age

Peter Hartcher

In Trump’s chaotic theatre of war, there’s only one lead role

For most people, violence is risky. For the US president, it’s a spectacle.

10.03.2026 20

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

In Trump’s chaotic theatre of war, there’s only one lead role

For most people, violence is risky. For the US president, it’s a spectacle.

10.03.2026 10

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

In Trump’s chaotic theatre of war, there’s only one lead role

For most people, violence is risky. For the US president, it’s a spectacle.

10.03.2026 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

To remain one and free, Australia must confront three key systemic challenges

Exhausted systems fail. It takes creative, energetic leadership to develop new ones. Best to start yesterday. Failing that, today.

07.03.2026 30

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

To remain one and free, Australia must confront three key systemic challenges

Exhausted systems fail. It takes creative, energetic leadership to develop new ones. Best to start yesterday. Failing that, today.

07.03.2026 20

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

To remain one and free, Australia must confront three key systemic challenges

Exhausted systems fail. It takes creative, energetic leadership to develop new ones. Best to start yesterday. Failing that, today.

07.03.2026 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

To remain one and free, Australia must confront three key systemic challenges

Exhausted systems fail. It takes creative, energetic leadership to develop new ones. Best to start yesterday. Failing that, today.

07.03.2026 20

The Age

Peter Hartcher

Trump’s opening military strike against Iran was ‘exquisite’. Now comes the tricky bit

“I don’t think he has a plan and that’s the problem,” security expert John Bolton says.

02.03.2026 20

The Age

Peter Hartcher

Trump’s opening military strike against Iran was ‘exquisite’. Now comes the tricky bit

“I don’t think he has a plan and that’s the problem,” security expert John Bolton says.

02.03.2026 20

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

Trump’s opening military strike against Iran was ‘exquisite’. Now comes the tricky bit

“I don’t think he has a plan and that’s the problem,” security expert John Bolton says.

02.03.2026 20

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

Trump’s opening military strike against Iran was ‘exquisite’. Now comes the tricky bit

“I don’t think he has a plan and that’s the problem,” security expert John Bolton says.

02.03.2026 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

No one doubted America’s ability to unleash hell. The question is how it handles what comes next

Ayatollah Khamenei was the head of one of the world’s worst regimes. His assassination does not assure its downfall.

01.03.2026 30

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

No one doubted America’s ability to unleash hell. The question is how it handles what comes next

Ayatollah Khamenei was the head of one of the world’s worst regimes. His assassination does not assure its downfall.

01.03.2026 30

The Age

Peter Hartcher

No one doubted America’s ability to unleash hell. The question is how it handles what comes next

Ayatollah Khamenei was the head of one of the world’s worst regimes. His assassination does not assure its downfall.

01.03.2026 30

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

No one doubted America’s ability to unleash hell. The question is how it handles what comes next

Ayatollah Khamenei was the head of one of the world’s worst regimes. His assassination does not assure its downfall.

01.03.2026 30

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

State election will be an acid test for One Nation, and for Albanese

The March 21 poll is a referendum on the viability of Australia’s existing two-party system.

27.02.2026 10

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

State election will be an acid test for One Nation, and for Albanese

The March 21 poll is a referendum on the viability of Australia’s existing two-party system.

27.02.2026 10

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

State election will be an acid test for One Nation, and for Albanese

The March 21 poll is a referendum on the viability of Australia’s existing two-party system.

27.02.2026 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

State election will be an acid test for One Nation, and for Albanese

The March 21 poll is a referendum on the viability of Australia’s existing two-party system.

27.02.2026 10

The Age

Peter Hartcher

Trump has not restrained predators Putin and Xi. He’s joined them

As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, there are five geopolitical and strategic lessons to be learnt for nations like Australia.

23.02.2026 50

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

Trump has not restrained predators Putin and Xi. He’s joined them

As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, there are five geopolitical and strategic lessons to be learnt for nations like Australia.

23.02.2026 20

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

Trump has not restrained predators Putin and Xi. He’s joined them

As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, there are five geopolitical and strategic lessons to be learnt for nations like Australia.

23.02.2026 30

The Age

Peter Hartcher

Trump has not restrained predators Putin and Xi. He’s joined them

As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, there are five geopolitical and strategic lessons to be learnt for nations like Australia.

23.02.2026 20

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

Hanson could become our Farage, our Trump. Or she could just flame out

Barnaby Joyce wants to transform the One Nation leader’s party from personality cult to a modern political movement. But is it actually just one...

20.02.2026 30

The Age

Peter Hartcher

Hanson could become our Farage, our Trump. Or she could just flame out

Barnaby Joyce wants to transform the One Nation leader’s party from personality cult to a modern political movement. But is it actually just one...

20.02.2026 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

Hanson could become our Farage, our Trump. Or she could just flame out

Barnaby Joyce wants to transform the One Nation leader’s party from personality cult to a modern political movement. But is it actually just one...

20.02.2026 20

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

Hanson could become our Farage, our Trump. Or she could just flame out

Barnaby Joyce wants to transform the One Nation leader’s party from personality cult to a modern political movement. But is it actually just one...

20.02.2026 20

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

US nuclear umbrella will no longer shelter us from the rising threat of war

Many countries are breaking a long-standing taboo to say the “n” word. Australia must confront the challenge of a new nuclear age.

16.02.2026 20

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

US nuclear umbrella will no longer shelter us from the rising threat of war

Many countries are breaking a long-standing taboo to say the “n” word. Australia must confront the challenge of a new nuclear age.

16.02.2026 50

The Age

Peter Hartcher

US nuclear umbrella will no longer shelter us from the rising threat of war

Many countries are breaking a long-standing taboo to say the “n” word. Australia must confront the challenge of a new nuclear age.

16.02.2026 20

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

US nuclear umbrella will no longer shelter us from the rising threat of war

Many countries are breaking a long-standing taboo to say the “n” word. Australia must confront the challenge of a new nuclear age.

16.02.2026 80

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

Taylor-made Libs have three possible futures. Only one will save them

The Liberal Party, and the nation itself, is at a political crossroads. What happens next could redraw the Australian political map forever and see a...

13.02.2026 30

The Age

Peter Hartcher

Taylor-made Libs have three possible futures. Only one will save them

The Liberal Party, and the nation itself, is at a political crossroads. What happens next could redraw the Australian political map forever and see a...

13.02.2026 30

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

Taylor-made Libs have three possible futures. Only one will save them

The Liberal Party, and the nation itself, is at a political crossroads. What happens next could redraw the Australian political map forever and see a...

13.02.2026 10

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

Taylor-made Libs have three possible futures. Only one will save them

The Liberal Party, and the nation itself, is at a political crossroads. What happens next could redraw the Australian political map forever and see a...

13.02.2026 90

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

Japan’s election result is a geopolitical earthquake and a ‘very big deal’ for Australia

The Japanese people have just given Sanae Takaichi a super-majority in the parliament. It signals a period of great change ahead for one of...

09.02.2026 20

WA Today

Peter Hartcher

Japan’s election result is a geopolitical earthquake and a ‘very big deal’ for Australia

The Japanese people have just given Sanae Takaichi a super-majority in the parliament. It signals a period of great change ahead for one of...

09.02.2026 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher