Peter van Onselen joins Daily Mail Australia as political editor

Proven newsbreaker and respected commentator Peter van Onselen has joined Daily Mail Australia as its new political editor.

In his new role, Dr. van Onselen breaks through exclusive issues and provides both political and social commentary.

“We are thrilled with Peter’s appointment and believe his deep knowledge of the political issues affecting ordinary Australians, combined with his acuity, are perfect for our ever-growing readership,” said Felicity Hetherington, editor of Daily Mail Australia .

‘Peter knows Australian politics and the people who run the country inside and out and will tell us how things are going.’

Dr. van Onselen, professor of politics at the University of Western Australia, was an editor at the Australian newspaper for fifteen years.

He was previously political editor at Network Ten from 2018 to 2023, where he also co-hosted The Sunday Project. He has won both the Walkley and Logie prizes for his journalism.

“I am really looking forward to being part of such a dynamic team,” said Dr. Van Onselen.

“I can’t wait to start telling some plain truths about where Australian politics is.”

Dr. van Onselen caused a sensation before the last federal election when he confronted then Prime Minister Scott Morrison with text messages in which then NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian described Mr Morrison as a “terrible, terrible person” and a minister replied that the Prime Minister was a ‘complete psychopath’.

Dr. van Onselen has interviewed every prime minister going back to Malcolm Fraser, and has written books on John Howard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, Mr Morrison and Anthony Albanese.

It was his last Victory: The Inside Story of Labour’s Return to Poweron Mr Albanese’s victory in the 2022 federal elections.

According to figures from Ipsos, Daily Mail Australia was Australia’s third most read commercial news website in March 2024.

Dr. van Onselen will start in his new role on April 29.