Understanding mental health problems can benefit workplace productivity

Chris Johnson The head of the union movement and a former Liberal Party chief minister will appear on a unity ticket over industrial relations during addresses to be delivered at the National Press Club on...

Parliament overlooked cyclone Tracy hero Stretton

Chris Johnson The recent death of the man who led the recovery effort after cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin in 1974 was not noted in Federal Parliament, even though a condolence motion or ministerial statement was...

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Abbott swoops to push discipline

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has delivered a clear message to his frontbench that he will no longer tolerate ill-discipline, after forcing his parliamentary secretary Cory Bernardi's resignation for...

Libs have lost core values: Fraser

Chris Johnson Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser has hit out at the party he once led, saying it has strayed too far to the right and has lost the vision of founder Robert Menzies.

Anniversary a chance to talk up Gillard's success

Chris Johnson The government used the second anniversary of the 2010 election to talk up its achievements, while at the same time trying to paint opposition leader Tony Abbott as a man who has problems dealing...

Premiers to snub PM's forum

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard might be left preaching to the choir today as conservative state premiers look set to give her economic forum in Brisbane a miss.

Abbott to reject advice of panel

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott insists he doesn't need a panel of experts to tell him what asylum seeker policy he should adopt.

Abbott's 'sham' is exposed, PM says

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott stars in a pantomime scripted to say no to all action against people smugglers, according to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who insists the Coalition's asylum seeker...

Prosecutor to examine Slipper case material

Chris Johnson Australian Federal Police have referred possible case material against Speaker Peter Slipper to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for examination.

Abbott tells the faithful that he'll be next PM

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has declared he is confident Australians will send him to The Lodge, suggesting to a Liberal Party audience he is a sure bet to be prime minister.

Abbott slams Gonski's nod

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has begun a strong attack against the government for not allowing former treasurer Peter Costello to chair the $70 billion Future Fund.

Costello not right for job: Minchin

Chris Johnson Former Liberal Party heavyweight Nick Minchin has bought into the Future Fund debate to claim that his one-time colleague Peter Costello was not the right person for the chairman's job.

Govt will fight court challenges

Chris Johnson The government is determined to fight any High Court challenge Australia's billionaire miners may launch against the nation's new mining tax.

Slipper must give up ministry: archbishop

Ross Peake, Chris Johnson Speaker Peter Slipper will come under intense pressure to stand aside from private priestly duties when he is confronted by the Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, John Hepworth, about the...

Labor in despair as morale hits new low

Chris Johnson Morale in Labor ranks has plunged to a new low described as ''unprecedented despair'' with many backbenchers fearing the combined Thomson and Slipper scandals have made it all but impossible to win...

Scandal build-up doom for Gillard

Chris Johnson As senior government ministers voice their support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard's actions over the Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper scandals, Labor backbenchers are again talking about the...

Gillard backers desert as poll chances slide

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard's woes have deepened, with more of her backers withdrawing support in the face of shocking poll results and continuing political crises.

Costello denies bid for safe seat

Chris Johnson Former treasurer Peter Costello has denied he made an unsuccessful bid for a parliamentary comeback that has sparked a factional war inside the Liberal Party.

Libs fight as Abbott keeps his distance

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has been forced to insist a feud between two Liberal Party powerbrokers has nothing to do with him and it is not causing any problems for the federal Coalition.