The Age: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Melbourne's leading newspaper.

In the fourth of his series on the mood of the nation, Martin Flanagan visits Cronulla beach, site of the 2005 race riot.

Liberals in workplace worry

A high-profile Liberal candidate has fuelled claims that the Government would extend WorkChoices if re-elected, saying some apprentices should be allowed to receive less than minimum rates of pay if they agree.

Candidate with a profound vision of disabled people's place in society

Peter Gibilisco has been an election candidate for four weeks, but most won't know his name.

The excluded many in our midst need help now

One man is calling for radical support for people with disabilities.

Drought 'caused by sin', says pastor

Australia's drought is caused by sin and will be relieved by prayer, according to controversial Pentecostal pastor Danny Nalliah.

Howard brands Labor's new economic stance 'the great con'

John Howard has sharpened his political attack on Kevin Rudd, accusing the Opposition Leader of being a poser whose claims to economic conservatism are a ruse.

Rudd calls on candidates to knock on every door in final week

Kevin Rudd has urged his candidates to fight for votes suburb by suburb and street by street in the campaign's final week.

Nelson doubts Dutch pull-out

The Dutch Government is unlikely to pull its 1700 troops and airmen out of Afghanistan, says Defence Minister Brendan Nelson.

ALP nomination in order: QC

ALP candidate George Newhouse has denied allegations that his nomination for the marginal seat of Wentworth is invalid.

Queensland promises ALP poll riches

Kevin Rudd could get more than halfway to government in Queensland alone if the average of Age/Nielsen polls taken during the campaign was to be replicated next Saturday.

Softly, softly Labor plans for a win

Kevin Rudd wants everything to go smoothly if the polls are right and Labor takes over in Canberra.

Vaile cries foul over damaging audit

Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile has suggested that the timing of a damaging Auditor-General's report into government abuse of regional grants was politically motivated, pointing out it was released a week before the election.

It's Bennelong time since a PM was rolled

On Thursday afternoon Labor hopeful Maxine McKew walked through a church garden in Bennelong, the electorate she hopes to steal from Prime Minister John Howard next Saturday.