The US-based political news site Politico is set to launch an Australian outlet later this year, marking its entry into the Canberra press gallery with a focus on insider politics and policy news. This expansion is spearheaded by Ryan Heath, an Australian journalist renowned for launching Politico’s Brussels Playbook a decade ago. The new edition, titled the Canberra Playbook, will debut when the federal parliament resumes after its winter break.
Heath emphasized the necessity for journalism that elucidates power dynamics while connecting global dots. “Australians need journalism that both explains power dynamics and connects the dots globally,” he stated. “In this era of great power and technology upheavals, Politico’s ability to examine Australia’s most important security and trade relationships is unrivaled.” He assured that Politico would bring the same depth and fresh perspectives to Canberra as it has in other global capitals.
Politico’s Strategic Global Expansion
The announcement comes as Politico aims to bridge its readership across North America and Europe with Australian politics, providing insights into geopolitical developments in the Indo-Pacific region. Goli Sheikholeslami, Politico’s chief executive, highlighted this expansion as a testament to the organization’s growth and commitment to global political journalism.
“This investment in a third continent underscores how Politico enters its third decade as a strong, successful, and growing news organisation, committed to linking international power centres and illuminating politics, power, and policy on a global scale.”
Founded in Washington in 2007, Politico has established a profitable business model that combines free and subscription content. The organization operates with a team of 350 journalists spread across major cities including Washington, Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin, Sacramento, and New York.
Canberra: A Strategic Choice
Heath, who is returning to Australia to lead the new bureau, described Canberra as an ideal location for Politico. “Canberra is unmistakably a Politico town,” he noted, citing its dense diplomatic community and its role as a geopolitical capital bridging East and West. Despite the ambitious nature of the venture, Heath assured that the new outlet would start modestly. “We’re not going to bite off more than we can chew,” he remarked.
Owned by Axel Springer, a major media company that also owns Business Insider and Europe’s highest-circulation newspaper, Bild, Politico has contemplated an Australian launch several times. This move finally materializes amid a landscape where several international media brands have struggled to maintain a foothold.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Australian Media Market
Australia has witnessed the entry and subsequent exit of several international media brands over the past decade and a half. Notable examples include BuzzFeed Australia, Huffington Post, Vice, Business Insider Australia, and the New York Times. BuzzFeed Australia, for instance, launched in Sydney in 2014 with a robust team but closed in 2020. Similarly, the New York Times shuttered its Bondi bureau in 2024, ceasing its Australia-focused publication.
However, some international outlets have thrived. Guardian Australia, Daily Mail Australia, and the BBC have successfully established operations. According to the latest Ipsos report, Guardian Australia ranked as the fourth most-read news site in the country in January, while Daily Mail and BBC held the seventh and tenth positions, respectively.
By the Numbers: Guardian Australia was the fourth most-read news site in January, Daily Mail seventh, and BBC tenth, according to Ipsos.
Politico’s entry into the Australian market represents a significant opportunity to provide in-depth political analysis and connect global audiences with Australian politics. As the venture unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor how Politico navigates the challenges of the Australian media landscape and whether it can replicate its international success.
