Rachel Orton

Rachel Orton is a Canberra-based journalist with more than a decade covering national politics, federal policy, and the people behind public decisions. She began her career at regional mastheads in New South Wales, working her way from court and local council reporting to the federal beat. Over the years, Rachel has built a reputation for clear, evidence-driven stories, particularly around parliamentary accountability, housing and planning, industrial relations, and the shifting cost of living. She has contributed breaking coverage during election cycles and major inquiries, and her work has been shortlisted for state and national media awards. Rachel regularly interviews ministers, crossbench MPs, public servants, and community advocates, translating complex legislation into reporting readers can use. She continues to grow her craft with investigative training and data-led verification, while mentoring younger reporters on source safety and rigorous fact-checking.