Abbott back-pedals to Afghanistan
AHEAD of the contentious parliamentary debate on Afghanistan, Tony Abbott's travel plans are set to dominate another day of political debate.
Climate
Farmers fume over Murray-Darling cuts
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Owen and Mark Schliebs IRRIGATORS will have their water entitlements cut by between 27 per cent and 37 per cent in the guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan to be released tomorrow.
Oakeshott takes spot in climate group
Joe Kelly LABOR has welcomed independent MP Rob Oakeshott's decision to join its climate change committee and urged the Coalition to follow suit.
Oakeshott to join climate committee
FEDERAL independent MP Rob Oakeshott has accepted a place on the government's climate change committee.
Solar costs 25 times more than ETS to cut gas
EXCLUSIVE: Annabel Hepworth SCHEMES that pay households to produce power using rooftop solar panels are costing about 25 times as much to cut greenhouse gases as a nationwide ETS.
Greens favour tariffs to back carbon plan
Matthew Franklin, Mark Kenny THE Greens have indicated that after Australia puts a price on carbon, they could press for tariffs to be imposed on the nations that don't.
Time to speed up climate action: UN
THE UN climate change chief has urged feuding countries to immediately end their fighting and begin working towards a deal to combat global warming.
Labor warns Greens over trade deals
Sid Maher THE Gillard government will resist moves by European countries, and pressure from the Greens, to introduce international environmental trade sanctions.
Water rights to cost extra $3bn
EXCLUSIVE: Dennis Shanahan, Political editor TAXPAYERS face a further bill of $3 billion to buy back water rights from farmers in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Top science body cools on global warming
Graham Lloyd and Matthew Franklin THERE are gaps in scientific understanding making predicting the extent of climate change and sea level rises impossible.
Water projects see $330m go down drain
Rosanne Barrett THE Queensland government took possession of its troubled Tugun desalination plant yesterday.
Wild rivers row splits indigenous leaders
Lauren Wilson JULIA Gillard has been accused of announcing an inquiry into wild rivers legislation to delay action on indigenous self-determination.
PM mugged by 'new paradigm'
Matthew Franklin, Chief political correspondent JULIA Gillard has been stung by the reality of minority government, leading Labor to an embarrassing defeat in the new parliament's first policy ballot.
PM wants Turnbull on climate committee
Joe Kelly JULIA Gillard wants Malcolm Turnbull to represent the opposition on the multi-party climate change committee examining options for pricing carbon.
Windsor open on carbon deal
Sid Maher INDEPENDENT MP Tony Windsor says he remains open-minded about putting a price on carbon.
MPs face a heavy workload in houses
Sid Maher THE Gillard government has vowed to lift productivity, skills and job participation levels.
OPI feels heat over misuse of wiretaps
10:06PM Milanda Rout, Victorian political reporter THE Office of Police Integrity is under fire for not following procedure when allowing police to use wire taps to charge a person.
Push to axe Collins subs now, buy European
Cameron Stewart A RADICAL plan is being pushed by a group of senior Australian submariners
ALP 'alienating' labour heritage
Lanai Vasek LABOR has confused and alienated its union support base.
Australia prey to new crisis: IMF
David Uren THE International Monetary Fund expects Australia's economy to outstrip the rest of the advanced world over the next two years.
Labor 'serious' about disabled reform
Stephen Lunn, Social affairs writer DISABILITY reform, including a national no-fault insurance scheme, will be a key social policy priority for the Gillard government.
Garrett outlines schools blueprint
Matthew Franklin, Chief political correspondent NEW Education Minister Peter Garrett has urged teachers angry about the government's My School website to put aside their concerns and embrace the site.
Bali Nine lawyer 'very upbeat'
Deborah Cassrels THE defence lawyer for Bali Nine death row inmates Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan says he is "very up-beat" about their judicial review.
Julia Gillard
Member for Lalor (ALP). Australia's first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard was returned to power in an election that resulted in the first hung parliament since 1940.
Also in The Australian Today
Business 'threatened' by Labor
Damon Kitney and Annabel Hepworth BUSINESS leaders claim they are being threatened by "thin-skinned" politicians when they choose to speak out on policy issues.
Business leaders want NBN analysis
5:09PM Mitchell Bingemann SOME of the nation's most influential business leaders have called for a cost-benefit analysis into the $43 billion national broadband network.
Rio board to meet on BHP deal
Sarah-Jane Tasker RIO Tinto is considering an emergency board meeting to make a final decision on its $118.8 billion iron ore joint venture with BHP.
