University sector to be hit in Gonski reforms

Judith Ireland The federal government has announced $2.8 billion worth of cuts to the university sector in order to free up funds for its Gonski school reforms.

Abuse inquiry draws out victims

Judith Ireland Victims groups are bracing for a flood of people wanting to give evidence about child sexual abuse, as the royal commission holds its first sitting in Melbourne this week.

Flood of tales for abuse inquiry

Judith Ireland Victims groups are bracing for a flood of people wanting to give evidence about child sexual abuse, as the royal commission holds its first sitting in Melbourne this week.

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.

Future Fund gives the flick to tobacco shares

Judith Ireland, Dan Harrison THE Future Fund will drop tobacco producers from its investment portfolio.

Two customs officers arrested in latest drug sting

Judith Ireland Two customs officers have been arrested by the Australian Federal Police for allegedly importing pseudoephedrine through Sydney Airport.

Parliament's little games so taxing for the PM

Judith Ireland Pope Benedict XVI's decision to step away from the Popemobile was met with surprise as well as understanding around the world. If one can't retire at 85, how could there possibly be a God?

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Iemma in frame as McClelland decides to bring down curtain

Daniel Hurst, Sean Nicholls, Judith Ireland THE former federal attorney-general and prominent Kevin Rudd supporter Robert McClelland is to retire from federal politics.

Slipper 'faces jail' as dishonesty charges detailed

Jonathan Swan and Judith Ireland Former speaker Peter Slipper could be jailed if found guilty of a taxpayer-funded tour of top wineries using his government Cabcharge card, legal experts say.

Greens MPs congratulate hoaxer whose deceit triggered sharemarket turmoil

Jonathan Swan, Judith Ireland, Damien Bright THE Greens leader, Senator Christine Milne, has endorsed a controversial hoax by an anti-coal activist, saying his actions were ''part of a long and proud history of civil disobedience, potentially...

Jail a risk if Slipper wined, dined on public dime

Jonathan Swan, Judith Ireland FORMER speaker Peter Slipper could be jailed if found guilty of a taxpayer-funded tour of top wineries using his government Cabcharge card, legal experts say.

Greens go out on a limb, but will it hold them?

Judith Ireland When the Greens senator Lee Rhiannon hit ''send'' on a tweet this week, congratulating the activist Jonathan Moylan for his hoax against Whitehaven Coal, the Twittersphere held its breath.

Navy security review after heist

David Wroe, Judith Ireland The navy has begun a review of security across its fleet after an intruder broke into a Darwin naval base, overpowered a guard and stole weapons.

Commission urged to hear prisoner victims of child abuse

Judith Ireland THE victims support group Broken Rites will call on the federal government to directly contact prison inmates and people on government benefits to make sure they are included in the royal commission...

Inquiry 'needs to include prisoners'

Judith Ireland Victims support group Broken Rites will be calling on the federal government to directly contact the prison population and people on government benefits, to make sure they are included in the royal...

Gay slur sparks Gillard boycott of Christian event

Dan Harrison, Judith Ireland THE Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has pulled out of speaking at the Australian Christian Lobby's national conference after its leader suggested a homosexual ''lifestyle'' was more hazardous to...

High Court denies final bid to extradite war crime suspect

Judith Ireland, Farah Farouque ALLEGED war criminal Charles Zentai has warded off a final legal bid by the federal government to extradite him to Hungary in connection with the murder of a Jewish teenager in 1944.

Asylum seeker stalemate continues despite Malaysia tragedy

Judith Ireland The latest boat disaster has done nothing to change the stalemate between the government and opposition on asylum seekers.

'Prima donna' Rudd doesn't mention the war

Judith Ireland Kevin Rudd has taken the moral high ground in the war of words over his leadership chances. Speaking in Queensland this afternoon, the Foreign Minister had nothing but praise for Simon Crean, who...