February 4, 2026 – Australia Headlines

1Australia news as it happened: RBA raises interest rates for first time since 2023; Cory Bernardi recruited by One Nation as Ley, Littleproud fail to reach Coalition resolution

Story gist: The Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates for the first time since 2023. Cory Bernardi joined One Nation to contest the South Australian state election as Coalition leaders Sussan Ley and David Littleproud failed to resolve internal disputes.
Left
Morning Mail: Bernardi goes to One Nation, David Copperfield claim in Epstein files, purple tomatoes get green light
— The Guardian
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Center
Cory Bernardi to contest SA state election for One Nation
— Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning Guardian frames Bernardi’s One Nation move casually in a newsletter with eclectic stories like Epstein files and purple tomatoes, downplaying political implications and omitting Coalition tensions. Center ABC reports neutrally on Bernardi contesting SA election. Right-leaning coverage absent, missing potential emphasis on conservative fragmentation or One Nation gains.

2Epstein files reveal Peter Mandelson supported campaign to undermine then-Australian PM Kevin Rudd’s mining super profits tax

Story gist: Epstein files reveal UK politician Peter Mandelson supported a campaign against then-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s proposed mining super profits tax.
Left
Epstein files reveal Peter Mandelson supported campaign to undermine then-Australian PM Kevin Rudd’s mining super profits tax
— The Guardian
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Center
Calls to strip UK politician of title amid Epstein leak claims
— Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning Guardian emphasizes Mandelson’s role in undermining Rudd’s progressive tax policy. Center ABC highlights calls to strip Mandelson’s title amid Epstein leaks, focusing on scandal and accountability. Right-leaning outlets absent; no coverage, missing perspective that might defend Mandelson or downplay ties to Epstein or anti-tax efforts.

3NSW protest restrictions extended ahead of Israel president’s visit

Story gist: New South Wales extended protest restrictions ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia. The measures address anticipated demonstrations during his stay.
Left
Who is Israel’s president Isaac Herzog and why is his visit to Australia expected to prompt mass protests?
— The Guardian
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Center
NSW protest restrictions extended ahead of Israel president’s visit
— Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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Right
Major security fears for Herzog visit
— The Australian
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Bias summary: Left-leaning Guardian emphasizes protests by profiling Herzog and questioning why his visit prompts mass demonstrations, highlighting controversy. Center ABC uses neutral factual headline on restrictions extension. Right-leaning Australian stresses ‘major security fears’ for the visit, justifying precautions and focusing on protection rather than protest motivations.

4Parents prepare to bring ‘beautiful girl’ home after Japan ski lift death

Story gist: An Australian woman died after becoming snagged in a ski lift in Japan. Her parents are preparing to bring her body home.
Left
Family of Australian woman who died after Japanese ski lift accident remember their ‘beautiful girl’
— The Guardian
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Center
Australian woman dies after becoming snagged in ski lift in Japan
— BBC
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Right
Tragic detail revealed in freak ski death
— News.com.au
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Bias summary: Left-leaning Guardian emphasizes family grief and emotional remembrance with ‘beautiful girl’ quote. Center BBC provides neutral factual report on the death and incident details. Right-leaning News.com.au highlights sensational ‘tragic detail’ and ‘freak’ accident framing, amplifying drama. All cover the same event but vary in emotional tone and emphasis on human interest versus facts.