Coalition abandons baby bonus

Jonathan Swan, Judith Ireland An Abbott government would dump the baby bonus entirely - even the reduced, means-tested payments proposed by Labor, shadow treasurer Joe Hockey has said.

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.

Ending ALP waste will finance tax cuts - Hockey

Judith Ireland The Coalition has hit back at Labor claims that families would pay higher income tax and lose payments worth thousands of dollars a year under an Abbott government, saying the ''reality is the...

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?

Comments 16

Gillard likely to miss all of this week

Judith Ireland Prime Minister Julia Gillard is likely to be absent from Parliament for the rest of the week as she grieves for her father, John Gillard, 83, who died at the weekend.

Judith Ireland

No backflips for Abbott as carbon tax D-Day approaches

Judith Ireland In his bid to end the carbon tax before it begins, Tony Abbott has visited factories, small businesses and the homes of working families.

Gillard's hold: Labor MPs nervous, says minister

Jessica Wright and Judith Ireland Labor frontbencher Stephen Conroy has confirmed Labor MPs are "nervous" as senior government ministers rallied for the third day around the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, who is reported to be losing...

Judith Ireland

Pollies' hyperbole is no mall matter

Judith Ireland The Hyperbole is a Canberra institution. Not because it's the biggest place to shop in Tuggeranong but because it's the lifeblood of the political day.

Working and not-working alike get a question time going over

Judith Ireland Christopher Pyne cited Oliver Cromwell, Julia Gillard cited John Howard and Joe Hockey was busy with the Seinfeld references.

Judith Ireland

Gillard soothes the pig-eaters as embattled MP saves his bacon

Judith Ireland Despite the government's best attempts to leak the entire budget before it is handed down, there's always concern on budget night about hidden surprises.

On the QT

Eyes have it as Bishop, Burke face off in row

Judith Ireland She's only three days into the question time gig but Anna Burke has already shown that she ain't afraid of anyone or anything. Not even Julie Bishop's atomic death stare.