Gaming the politics of TV sports bet reform

Heath Aston and Colin Kruger An unmistakable message for government is now emerging: Stop this now.

Fraser quits Liberal Party

Former PM Malcolm Fraser quits Liberal Party after allegedly telling his friends that his replacement, Tony Abbott, was "all over the place" in terms of policy

Healthcare founder donates millions to charities

Georgia Wilkins The founder of one of Australia's biggest healthcare companies, Primary Health Care, is giving away almost half his shares in the firm, valued at $76 million, to family and a charitable trust.

Campaign row as Sheikh's wife admits mistake

Stephanie Anderson The wife of Greens Senate candidate Simon Sheikh has admitted she had ''made a mistake'' after allegations her husband had been campaigning during two lectures at the ANU, where she teaches.

Party room to ask hard questions on leave scheme

Michael Gordon and Daniel Hurst Tony Abbott will be asked to defend, discard or modify his promised generous paid parental leave scheme in the Coalition party room next week, amid growing internal concerns that it is no longer...

Liberal MPs want rethink on Coalition's climate change plan

Jonathan Swan Two Liberal MPs want Tony Abbott to review or consider abandoning parts of his $3.2 billion plan to combat climate change in light of ''dire economic circumstances''.

Palmer says party cancelled Slipper's membership

Natalie Bochenski Clive Palmer has disputed former federal Speaker Peter Slipper's assertion that he withdrew his membership application for the billionaire's political party.

Windsor not Palmer's phantom candidate

Amy Remeikis Tony Windsor says he is not Clive Palmer's phantom federal candidate despite rumours of the independent federal MP joining the United Australia Party, sparked by a cryptic tweet.

Alan Jones suggests 'left-wing radical students' link to Boston bombing

Megan Levy Broadcaster Alan Jones is facing an online backlash after suggesting on national television that "left-wing radical students" were behind the Boston Marathon bombings and that Australia should...

Bad decision-making biggest threat to health funds: report

Amy Corderoy, Dan Harrison Expensive new technologies and treatments are being adopted by the health system, despite a ''big black hole'' in the knowledge about their long-term cost and efficacy, experts say.

Liberals miss Islamic celebration

Heath Aston Liberal Party MPs, including federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, have snubbed one of the Islamic community's most important celebrations.

Slipper plea on charges

Former speaker's plea to charges related to alleged fraudulent use of taxi vouchers expected today.

Between a rock and the 'new brutality'

Michael Gordon The TV cameras on both sides of the corridor that leads from the Prime Minister's suite to the House of Representatives were the dead give-away.

Watchdog says it can't investigate claim on Costello

Mark Hawthorne Queensland's anti-corruption watchdog claims it does not have the powers to investigate a complaint made against former treasurer Peter Costello.

Politics

Labor facing wipeout: poll

Mark Kenny Federal Labor faces electoral annihilation, losing seats previously considered ultra-safe, unless the party switches back to Kevin Rudd, a new poll has found.

Libs give leading fund-raiser water board role

Sean Nicholls, Linton Besser, Judith Ireland A PROMINENT Liberal Party figure known for his fund-raising prowess, Nick di Girolamo, was appointed to a $100,000 position on the board of a state-owned corporation by the NSW government last year.

Baillieu resigns as Victorian premier

Mr Baillieu resigned on Wednesday night after MP Geoff Shaw quit the party, threatening the coalition’s grip on power.

Costello conflict claim

Mark Hawthorne, Amy Remeikis A complaint about former federal treasurer Peter Costello lodged with Queensland's Crime and Misconduct Commission highlights potential conflicts of interest between his job overseeing the future of...

Napthine takes the reins after Baillieu's leadership crumbles

Josh Gordon, Richard Willingham, Henrietta Cook Ted Baillieu has resigned as the Victorian premier and been replaced by former Liberal leader Denis Napthine, after the surprise resignation of Frankston MP Geoff Shaw from the Liberal party...