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.

Nothing doing here mate, move along

Judith Ireland Budget day in Canberra is a time-honoured tradition. It's a festival of lock-ups, leaks and scurrying about.

Missing Holocaust hero honoured with Australian citizenship

Judith Ireland A Swedish diplomat who led a rescue operation to save nearly 100,000 Jews in Nazi-occupied Hungary has been recognised as the first honorary Australian citizen.

Australian honour for Holocaust hero

Judith Ireland ''I owe everything to Australia but I owe my life to Raoul Wallenberg,'' said Frank Vajda, recalling the Swedish diplomat, and now first ''honorary Australian citizen'', who saved his life during...

Police swear off Rudd leak case without finding culprit

Judith Ireland The mystery of who leaked the video of a swearing Kevin Rudd looks likely to remain unsolved, with the Australian Federal Police closing the case without identifying a culprit.

Joyce to challenge Windsor

Judith Ireland Queensland senator Barnaby Joyce has been preselected as the Nationals candidate for the seat of New England, setting up a battle with independent MP Tony Windsor and potentially paving the way for...

Wood heater link to heart, lung diseases

Judith Ireland Hundreds of thousands of people are endangering their health by the use of wood heaters.

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.

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.

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.

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...

Decline in 457 visa abuse casts doubt on crackdown

Daniel Hurst, Judith Ireland The number of employers found to have abused the foreign worker visa program has steadily declined over the past three years, casting serious doubts about the rationale behind the Gillard...

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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Proposed law leaves intersex 'vulnerable'

Judith Ireland THE federal government's proposed anti-discrimination laws leave intersex people vulnerable to discrimination, advocates say.

Intersex concerns on human rights bill

Judith Ireland The federal government's proposed anti-discrimination laws leave intersex people vulnerable to discrimination, according to advocates.

New threat to offshore processing

Bianca Hall and Judith Ireland Papua New Guinea's Opposition Leader alleges asylum seekers are being held illegally.

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.

All the better to see the opposition with

Judith Ireland, Shelly Horton WHEN the Prime Minister took to the stage at the National Press Club on Wednesday, the nation buzzed with excitement.