Canberra
The unseen art
Daniel Flitton Unless the foreign service is properly funded and given more authority, Australian diplomats abroad can do little more than raise the flag.
Remembering history
Tania Major Why has indigenous policy in this country failed? The federal government must realise that what looks good in Canberra looks very different in Kowanyama or the Kimberley.
Ciggies up, fruit and veg down: the politics of prices
Jacqueline Maley and Mark Davis Gillard ain't gonna shilly-shally: she responds to those "anonymous allegations reported on TV"
I'm not a soft touch: Gillard on front foot over leaks
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has stridently defended her record on two of the former Rudd government's biggest welfare increases, but has not denied questioning their affordability.
Rudd denies being leaker
Kevin Rudd has denied being the source of the latest round of embarrassing Cabinet leaks that have targeted the leadership of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Why has our indigenous policy failed?
Tania Major TO answer this question, it would be easy to list the usual suspects, such as fluctuating political will and commitment; dependence on the political cycle; the lack of consultation; inadequate,...
Do we really want Charles as king?
Greg Barns THERE is a saying about putting the cart before the horse, and it is particularly apt when one thinks about Julia Gillard's recent remarks about an Australian republic.
Big projects go where the people - and the votes - are
Tim Colebatch You can't accuse Auditor-General Ian McPhee of going soft on the government. Two reports issued by his team show the government playing fast and loose with its own rules in allocating money for...
Cabinet pair minister to the sick in a sterilised set-piece
Greg Baum Julia Gillard spent yesterday morning at the Launceston General Hospital and a superclinic in Devonport.
No back-pedalling when Abbott and co hit the road
Katharine Murphy When Tony Abbott rode out in Brisbane yesterday morning before dawn, the logistics were the work of his lead-out man.
Build network or scrap it
Ari Sharp Not long after the Labor government came into office in 2007 the Opel high-speed internet plan started by its predecessor bit the dust.
Fresh scrutiny for ABC charter
Ari Sharp The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, has said he is prepared to consider a review of the ABC's charter if the government is re-elected, amid accusations the broadcaster has drifted beyond its...
Abbott welcomes his wife as Gillard goes it alone
Tom Arup and Kirsty Needham There's been nothing quite like it since Andrew Peacock, inconveniently without a wife at the time, hit the 1990 campaign trail.
Brumby plan exposes Gillard
Adam Morton, David Rood and Katharine Murphy Premier John Brumby has exposed Julia Gillard over climate change by unveiling an ambitious plan that would require hundreds of millions of dollars in federal support and — eventually —...
Women who run the show for Gillard and Abbott
Katharine Murphy Amanda Lampe and Peta Credlin, as chiefs of staff to Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, have two of the most powerful jobs in Australia, writes Katharine Murphy.
Gillard win would install Lodge's first de facto couple
Julia Gillard has confirmed Australia will have its first de facto couple in The Lodge if Labor wins the election, saying that "where ever I live, he will live".
Clear path for carbon price, Wong says
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has defended Labor’s climate change policy saying it creates a clear path for the introduction of a carbon price.
'I work, I vote'; small business is on guard
Philip Wen It may not have the deep pockets of the powerful mining lobby, but small business may yet have a big say in who leads the country.
Worm makes Gillard the winner 63-37
Carol Nader, Canberra Tony Abbott turned up to the debate expecting to get thrashed by a worm. And, according to the official result, he was.
Of men and mice
Damien Murphy While not quite approaching the anger of the godlike Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, the pygmy grudge match between two low-profile, long-serving Queensland Liberals MPs, Alex Somlyay and Peter Slipper,...
