Border Protection
A nation of immigrants tops out at one in four
PETER MARTIN Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott talk about restraining immigration and being '' fair dinkum'' but each is more representative of the changing nature of Australia than they would have us believe.
Coalition takes steps to reactivate Nauru
MICHAEL GORDON THE Coalition has held discussions with Nauru's Foreign Minister, Kieren Keke, about re-opening the processing centre as part of a return to the ''Pacific solution'' for unauthorised boat arrivals.
Does the lucky country need migrants?
BOB BIRRELL UNLESS there is a sharp change in immigration policy, Australia's population is likely to exceed the latest Treasury projection of 35.9 million by 2050. This is the ''big Australia'' vision. The projection's core assumption was that net migration will average about 180,000 a year. By 2008-09, however, it was estimated to be 298,000.
Coalition meets Nauru leaders on boat people
The Coalition has held talks with Nauru's foreign minister about reopening a centre for the offshore processing of asylum seekers.
Abbott immigration cuts to hit WA growth: CCI
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's plan to slash the migrant intake would hinder economic growth and job creation in Western Australia, the state's Chamber of Commerce says.
170 dead since softer asylum-seeker policies, says Ruddock
Former coalition immigration minister Philip Ruddock says about 170 asylum seekers headed for Australia have died since the federal government changed Australia’s border protection policies.
Lib candidate falls on his Facebook
NICKY PHILLIPS AND DEBRA JOPSON VENUS PRIEST is the new Liberal candidate in the western Sydney seat of Chifley after the NSW branch yesterday disendorsed its first choice, David Barker.
Rudd hits back at ABC's security "scoop"
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd said today he attended all "critical" meetings of the National Security Committee of Cabinet.
Abbott pledges $93.1m boost to border security
KATHERINE FENECH Opposition leader Tony Abbott announced a boost in boarder security funding while visiting a Fremantle port today.
Abbott hints at tougher population policy
JACOB SAULWICK Tony Abbott will unveil a new policy on population and migration in the next few days, as both sides of politics compete to promote their opposition to a “big Australia.”
Rudd showed "casual disregard" for national security
MARK DAVIS Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd treated Cabinet's national security committee with "casual disregard" and sometimes had his 31-year-old chief of staff deputise for him at meetings of the highly sensitive body, ABC TV reported tonight.
Gillard ducks on migrant intake
PHILLIP COOREY CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT JULIA GILLARD has shifted gear on the population debate, saying immigration levels should not be an issue when deciding how big Australia should be.
Labor MP admits party being "squeezed" on boat people
The federal government is getting ''squeezed both ways'' by the asylum seekers issue, says western Sydney Labor MP Laurie Ferguson.
Abbott's trip to fruit shop goes pear-shaped
JACOB SAULWICK Opposition leader Tony Abbott's muddled start to the election campaign may have just got messier.
Timor solution put on hold for election
DANIEL FLITTON Labor's plan to convince East Timor to host regional asylum seekers has been put on hold during the election campaign as Australia's diplomats seek to dodge any political flak.
No winners in a poll without substance
WALEED ALY WHO says that if you change the government, you change the country?
Ready reckoner: where the parties stand on key policies
Julia Gillard says the looming election will be a choice between moving forward or returning to a dark past. Tony Abbott says it will give voters a chance to get rid of a bad government full of flawed characters.
Labor closer to Coalition on asylum seeker issue
PHILLIP COOREY CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT LABOR has closed the gap on the Coalition over the asylum seeker issue despite Julia Gillard's policy announcement threatening to unravel.
