Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson is the National Political Correspondent for The Sunday Age and The Sun-Herald
Satellites key to Australia's first space policy
Chris Johnson The use of satellite technology has been ramped up as a national priority, with the launch of Australia’s first ever space policy.
Office perks: Customs' $9K coffee machine spend
Chris Johnson Highly trained sniffer dogs at Australian Customs will be familiar with the strong aroma of coffee after two expensive coffee machines have been provided for their masters.
Political instability unnerves public servants
Chris Johnson Labor's leadership spill has done nothing to provide certainty to the public sector, which has been left in a state of flux over the government's inability to instil confidence in the people who work...
Parachuting Olympian could 'work a treat'
Chris Johnson Australian National University political commentator Andrew Hughes believes parachuting Nova Peris into a Northern Territory senate seat is a desperate political ploy - but one that might work a...
Labor stalwart lashes party powerbrokers
Chris Johnson Labor Party stalwart John Faulkner has delivered a withering indictment of elements inside his own party, saying some members of the ALP lack principles and morals.
PM denies Abbott his day as grand inquisitor
Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard used the Parliament's last sitting day of the year on Thursday to demand Opposition Leader Tony Abbott put up or shut up over accusations she had broken the law through...
PM to be focus of fiery final session
Chris Johnson Federal politicians return to Canberra on Monday for what looks set to be a fiery week before Parliament rises for the Christmas break.
PM goes on attack in AWU episode
Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard blunted the opposition's attack over the Australian Workers Union scandal on Monday, savaging her chief accuser - union official Ralph Blewitt - in the process.
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...
War Memorial rejects honour request for peacekeepers
Chris Johnson Peacekeepers will not be included for now on the Australian War Memorial's Roll of Honour despite a petition signed by more than 17,800 people calling for them to be remembered alongside other...
Chris Johnson
Swan's $16b target to ensure surplus
Chris Johnson Baby bonus payments, private health insurance rebates and the budget surplus target have all been cut, but there is no slashing of public service jobs in the government's latest economic update.
Big picture: Australia in Asia in 2025
Chris Johnson The white paper says that one third of board members of Australia's top 200 publicly listed companies and Commonwealth bodies will have "deep experience in and knowledge of Asia".
PM silent on McKew's claims of disloyalty
Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard is refusing to buy into the debate about the removal of her predecessor but Kevin Rudd wants those involved in the 2010 coup against him to come clean about the roles...
Abbott shifts attack to surplus forecast
Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has turned his focus away from the carbon tax and is attacking the government over its forecast budget surplus.
Slipper exits as tempers flare
Chris Johnson The Government is in damage control following dramatic scenes in Parliament yesterday that resulted in Speaker Peter Slipper's resignation and the Prime Minister mounting an extraordinary defence in...
Slipper takes his revenge on opposition
Chris Johnson Former Speaker Peter Slipper has already exercised his newfound power as an independent MP by voting with Labor to change standing orders against the wishes of the Coalition.
It's time to move past sexism talk, MPs say
Chris Johnson Government ministers have urged all MPs to get back to discussing policy instead of the name-calling that has dominated parliamentary debate in recent months.
Fair Work Australia's civil case threat to Thomson's career
Chris Johnson Suspended Labor MP Craig Thomson hopes civil charges brought against him by Fair Work Australia will be thrown out of court but if they are not, bankruptcy could force the independent out of...
Rudd tells world he's still here and he's backing Gillard as the leader
Chris Johnson Kevin Rudd has publicly declared his support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard and has vowed to do all he can to help return Labor to office in next year's election.
