Norfolk Island exodus as government deal stalls

Natalie O'brien Desperate families have been forced to leave their homes on Norfolk Island and there are fears many more will follow after the federal government backed away from a financial reform package that...

Windsor calls for gay marriage referendum

Heath Aston Australians would vote in a referendum on gay marriage as soon as September under a radical proposal by independent MP Tony Windsor, supported by the Greens and other crossbenchers.

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.

Gillard prepares ministerial reshuffle

Judith Ireland Prime Minister Julia Gillard is working on major changes to her ministerial line up but won't confirm if more firings are imminent.

More Australian shows to come as Canberra, TV networks make a deal

Jonathan Swan Federal government to cut TV licence fees in exchange for more Australian content.

$200m film lost to Britain

By Steve Dow Australia has lost a $200 million film by the makers of the Matrix movies that would have employed 2000 people because the federal government refuses to increase financial support, apart from a...

'Nothing sinister' in arts exit

Andrew Taylor Head of Australia Council for the Arts says there is nothing conspiratorial in her impending departure.

Tragedy just made us much stronger

John Howard THE Bali attack in October 2002 rocked Australia to its very core. It was an act of murderous terrorism, claiming the most lives in a single incident outside Australia, except in wartime.

A message from Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott We turn to each other in adversity, and often the worst can bring out our best.

Gong for 'little master' knocks Indian media for six

Matt Wade, Michelle Grattan HOW do you get India's attention? Give Sachin Tendulkar a gong.

Masterful stroke as PM awards gong to 'Little Master'

Matt Wade, Michelle Grattan How do you get India's attention? Give Sachin Tendulkar a gong.

Officials to turn a new leaf as paper-pushing bill hits $220m

Markus Mannheim THE days of paper-pushing bureaucrats may be coming to an end because the government can no longer afford to put it off.

Govt wages war on paper

Markus Mannheim The pipedream of the paperless office will be within reach in three years – because taxpayers can no longer afford to put it off.

Small screen drama: industry's quota fears

Julieanne Strachan Australian acting, directing and producing heavyweights have sounded the alarm over the future of local content on free-to-air and subscription television because the federal government has not...

Tanner denies fanning leadership row as he closes political chapter

Lenore Taylor, Phillip Coorey LINDSAY TANNER says his book criticising the Labor Party and the poll-driven ''panic'' that led to the coup against Kevin Rudd was not designed to help provoke another leadership change.

Defence personnel's personal secrets revealed in archive files

Markus Mannheim A woman who asked for copies of her father's military records was given a bundle of papers showing he had a sexually transmitted disease and a history of misconduct.

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Trust pushes for $50,000 Miles Franklin prize to be declared tax free

Susan Wyndham WHEN Patrick White won the first Miles Franklin Literary Award for his novel Voss in 1957, he said: ''I am going to buy a hi-fi set and a kitchen stove''.

Digital age takes libraries off the shelf

In 2012, it is possible to interview the incoming chairman of the National Library of Australia about his new role with no mention of the word "books".

Broad-brush stroke for the arts in schools plan

Bianca Hall For the first time, all Australian students will study dance, drama, media arts, music and the visual arts until year 10, under a draft national curriculum issued yesterday.