Australians want a federal corruption watchdog, even though major parties don't

A large majority of Australians want a federal corruption watchdog similar to the NSW ICAC, though the Coalition and Labor are opposed to it.

Labor to announce further childcare funding

Federal Labor will today pledge $160 million to tackle child care and after-school care waiting lists, if elected.

• Child care a big issue in country's most marginal seats

Senator Ricky Muir reflects as election looms

Changes to Senate voting will make it much harder for minor party candidates to be elected. RN's Sian Gard joined Senator Ricky Muir during what could be his final week in Parliament.

Election 2016: How are political campaigns funded?

Every election political parties spend millions on research, polling, marketing and advertising to carefully craft and then sell their message to voters.

Entrepreneurs concerned politicians still misunderstand start-ups

Innovation has been a key focus for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, but Melbourne entrepreneurs are concerned the Government and the Opposition still don't really understand start-ups.

Trump scares daylights out of Australians: Di Natale

Donald Trump winning the United States election would be "dangerous" for the whole world and even talking about the prospect is "scary", Greens leader Richard Di Natale says.

What are the Government's proposed super changes?

Superannuation concessions are set to cost the federal budget almost $30 billion this financial year. Here is what you need to know about the Government's superannuation concessions.

Coalition pledges $5 million to help threatened species

Australia's threatened species would receive additional funding under a Government announcement coinciding with World Environment Day.

Vote tracker: Electoral views along Melbourne's longest tramline

Voters along Melbourne's longest tramline will help decide some of the city's most marginal seats. But if the voters are any guide, the candidates face a chorus of confusion, disinterest and disenchantment.

Dance hall to homeless shelter: The rich history of Havelock House

Canberra's Havelock House gained its reputation during the mid 20th century, when the capital suffered an accommodation crisis. Built in the 1940s as a sort of upmarket hostel, it's since served as a homeless shelter and the headquarters of the AFP.

Labor promises to invest $160 million in arts

Bill Shorten vows a Labor government will boost arts funding and dump the Coalition's controversial Catalyst arts program, handing back funding decisions to the independent Australia Council.

Meet the student taking on Tony Abbott (and James Mathison)

Clara's aware that she won't knock Tony Abbott out of the race but says there's still value in fighting a losing battle.

Queenstown business owners worry about their future if NBN is not rolled out via fibre

Locals in Queenstown on the west coast of Tasmania fear jobs and income will be lost if the NBN is not delivered by fibre to their town.

• Labor pledges millions for Tasmanian tourism infrastructure fund

Farmers will vote on backpacker tax

Pineapple farmers in Central Queensland say the continued uncertainty around the proposed backpacker tax is deterring travellers who would normally have come for a picking stint.

Vote Compass: Australians support return to carbon pricing

Former Liberal leader John Hewson has cast doubt on the political truism that Tony Abbott's campaign to "axe" the carbon tax won him the last election, as new figures show a significant majority of Australians now support putting a price on carbon emissions.

Malcolm Turnbull and his beard envy

While Malcolm Turnbull has been in the public eye for decades, many might not know of his apparent fondness... for beards.

Turnbull won't contemplate GST hike in next term

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declares he will not contemplate lifting the GST in the next term of Parliament.

Students' political newsroom helps young voters engage with politics

Many are not even old enough to vote, but a group of university students has created a national newsroom to cover the federal election.

Calls for Indigenous housing funding promises before election

Northern Territory Indigenous organisations call on both sides of federal politics to make generous promises on remote housing before the July 2 election.

Are our political leaders out of ideas?

This week's Leaders' Debate between Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten was widely criticised as boring, but did the lack of action, and seemingly conviction, conceal a deeper malaise? Waleed Aly, Scott Stephens and journalist George Megalogenis discuss.

Vote Compass: Australians oppose any relaxation of CSG restrictions

A growing number of Australians are against any easing of restrictions on the coal seam gas (CSG) industry, Vote Compass data reveals.

Fact check: Are there 'over a million 457s' in Australia?

Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie has singled out the number of 457 visas as a reason for what she sees as a lack of employment opportunity in Australia.

"We have over a million 457s out there, and that's another reason why we don't have jobs here," Senator Lambie told ABC TV's Q&A on May 30.

Are there over a million people with 457 visas "out there" as Senator Lambie suggests? ABC Fact Check runs the numbers.

Great election campaign stuff-ups and blunders throughout history

Lateline takes a look at some of the most awkward campaign blunders in Australia's election history.

Hewson calls for leadership on poverty, not tax

Former federal leader of the Liberal Party Dr John Hewson calls for leadership on the issues of poverty and inequality.

What would swing the votes of our most marginal seat?

Last election, it was the most marginal seat in the country. So what would make people in McEwen swing either way this election?

Spot the difference on policy

Have a look at the key areas in which the Coalition, Labor, and the Greens hold different policies, including negative gearing, same-sex marriage, and climate change.