Dr Peter van Onselen is an Australian academic, author and commentator. He is currently Winthrop professor of politics and public policy at The University of Western Australia, and the Political Editor at Daily Mail Australia. He also appears regularly on ABC Insiders.
Peter was the Political Editor at Network Ten from 2018-2023, cohosting The Sunday Project with Lisa Wilkinson and The Professor & The Hack podcast with Hugh Riminton during his time at the network. From 2009-2024 Peter was the Contributing Editor at The Australian newspaper, where he also wrote a weekly column in the Weekend Australian. From 2010 to 2017 Peter hosted news and politics programs on Sky News Australia, including the daily lunchtime program To the Point, with former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, and Sky’s flagship Sunday morning program Australian Agenda, with The Australian newspaper’s editor-at-large Paul Kelly.
Peter has won Walkley and Logie awards for his broadcast journalism (at both Sky News and Network 10), News Awards for his print commentary in The Australian and been a finalist in News Awards for his business journalism. Peter has authored or edited ten books, including five bestsellers. His biography of John Howard was rated by The Wall Street Journal as the best biography of 2007. His latest book Victory on Anthony Albanese’s 2022 election win was published by HarperCollins.
During his 20 year academic career Peter has served as the foundation chair of journalism at UWA, professor of politics and public policy at Griffith University and associate professor and head of discipline in government and politics at Edith Cowan University.
Peter holds a PhD in political science (UWA), a masters in commerce (CSU), a masters in policy studies (UNSW) and a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours in political science and a major in philosophy (UNSW), having also studied economics and public policy with the University of Oxford.
He is a fellow at the UWA Institute of Public Policy, a member of the Australian Economic Society, the Australasian Political Studies Association and an ambassador for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation having previously served on the board of Teach for Australia.
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