{
  "id": 1999649,
  "title": "Labor has made the most of its cooperation with the Coalition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/labor-has-made-the-most-of-its-cooperation-with-the-coalition",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T19:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-20/labor-coalition-deals-ndis-gambling-cooperation-albanese-taylor/107049472"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the final term of Parliament, Anthony Albanese frequently referred to Peter Dutton as \"Captain No\" for his tendency to oppose everything without reason. This was a common tactic used by the Labor Party. Prior to \"Captain No,\" there was \"Dr No,\" Tony Abbott. However, it would be difficult for Labor to assign a similar label to Angus Taylor after the recent bipartisan cooperation. The opposition leader has expressed his agreement with the government on several occasions. The two parties have shown a rare degree of collaboration, covering a range of issues from gambling ads to the NDIS, and from social media regulation to avoiding a \"Widow's Tax.\"\n\nThe Liberals noted that they are not the party that says \"no\" to everything, and they aim to work constructively in the national interest. This cooperation is particularly significant given the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Pauline Hanson's One Nation. The Coalition's internal divisions over gambling advertising have been put aside for the sake of bipartisanship. Similarly, Labor has faced internal pushback, with many members unwilling to cross the floor due to party rules.\n\nThe bipartisan deal involves a complex set of rules on gambling advertising, and there are still many operational details to be finalized. While advocates for a complete ban have been disappointed, both leaders believe that the pressure will ease with the bill now passed. The NDIS, another contentious issue, has seen the Coalition support Labor's changes, despite the sector's disappointment with the outcome. With the cost of the scheme still increasing annually, the fiscal credibility of the opposition would have been at stake if they had delayed further.\n\nHowever, there are still political risks ahead as these changes are implemented, and stories of people with disabilities being removed from the NDIS or having their supports reduced are emerging. The bipartisan deal on the NDIS is seen as the most significant of the week, providing the government with political cover for future issues and helping to maintain community support for the transformative scheme. The Prime Minister's goal was to complete all these deals with the Coalition in one go, ensuring a clear path for the upcoming Liberal deal week.",
  "summary": "Fights over immigration, superannuation, housing, tobacco excise and data centre rules will continue and intensify. But this was a week for cooperation.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}