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 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...

Abbott keeps distance on IR call

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has moved to distance himself from his hero John Howard over the contentious issue of industrial relations and the prospect of a return to WorkChoices.

Chris Johnson

PM back to Pacific Solution

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard has all but adopted John Howard's ''Pacific Solution'' to asylum seekers, agreeing to urgently reopen offshore processing centres at Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus...

A bit of outreach and it's plain sailing on boats

Chris Johnson Asylum seekers reaching Australia by boat are now likely to be sent to Nauru and Manus Island to live in tents, after the passing of legislation allowing a return to offshore processing.

Soldiers await orders as asylum debate limps along

Chris Johnson Australian soldiers could be on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island as early as Friday preparing for asylum seeker detention centres to be re-opened within a month.

Swan slashes 4200 PS jobs

Chris Johnson Thousands of Canberra-based public servants will lose their jobs to help get the economy back in the black, under a federal budget that pushes a new round of middle-class welfare initiatives.

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.

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.

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.