Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson is the National Political Correspondent for The Sunday Age and The Sun-Herald
Doors opened in Israel for Labor minister 'going places'
Chris Johnson Cabinet minister Bill Shorten secured an audience with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem because the Israelis were convinced he could one day be Australia's leader.
Ill wind blows through Liberal ranks
Chris Johnson Several Liberal MPs plan to publicly defy the party line by attending an anti-wind farm rally.
Broader mine tax to 'stop cuts in PS'
Chris Johnson Broadening the base of the minerals resource rent tax could be exactly what the public service needs to ensure its numbers are not slashed after this year's federal election.
Political instability unnerves public servants
Chris Johnson Labor's leadership spill has done nothing to provide certainty to the public sector, which has been left in a state of flux over the government's inability to instil confidence in the people who work...
Office perks: Customs' $9K coffee machine spend
Chris Johnson Highly trained sniffer dogs at Australian Customs will be familiar with the strong aroma of coffee after two expensive coffee machines have been provided for their masters.
Protect our war doctors: Red Cross
Chris Johnson The International Committee of the Red Cross is appealing to the Australian Government to help create a global push for greater protection of medical teams in war zones and areas of humanitarian...
Parachuting Olympian could 'work a treat'
Chris Johnson Australian National University political commentator Andrew Hughes believes parachuting Nova Peris into a Northern Territory senate seat is a desperate political ploy - but one that might work a...
North Korean embassy trip put on hold
Chris Johnson The Gillard Government has stalled plans for North Korea to re-establish a diplomatic presence in Australia in light of the latest nuclear test from the totalitarian state.
Libs, Nats set for bitter battle over Hume
Chris Johnson Nationals senator Fiona Nash looks set to upset the Liberals' plans for the federal electorate of Hume by sticking her hand up for the Lower House seat.
Trouble brewing over $63K coffee machine spend
Chris Johnson Swiss-made coffee machines costing taxpayers more than $63,000 are sprinkled throughout a federal government department, causing quite a stir inside the Coalition.
$100,000 on coffee machines leaves bitter taste
Chris Johnson Caffeine-addicted bureaucrats in the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism are making a "mochary" of the government's push to tighten public sector spending.
Department in hot water over its coffee machines
Chris Johnson SWISS-MADE coffee machines costing taxpayers more than $7000 each are found throughout a federal government department, causing quite a stir in the Coalition.
ACT a model for tax reform, says Swan
Chris Johnson The ACT has been held up as an example for other jurisdictions to follow when it comes to reforming tax.
PM more at ease when she is abroad
Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard has confessed she now enjoys representing Australia on the world stage.
Labor stalwart lashes party powerbrokers
Chris Johnson Labor Party stalwart John Faulkner has delivered a withering indictment of elements inside his own party, saying some members of the ALP lack principles and morals.
PM denies Abbott his day as grand inquisitor
Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard used the Parliament's last sitting day of the year on Thursday to demand Opposition Leader Tony Abbott put up or shut up over accusations she had broken the law through...
Abbott: I won't use gender and class to divide nation
Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has accused Prime Minister Julia Gillard of trying to divide Australia with gender and class wars.
Public service told to prepare for March poll
Chris Johnson The Canberra bureaucracy is being primed for a federal election to be possibly held early next year.
PM to be focus of fiery final session
Chris Johnson Federal politicians return to Canberra on Monday for what looks set to be a fiery week before Parliament rises for the Christmas break.
Women congregate to celebrate ordination
Chris Johnson There are only three female bishops in the Anglican Church of Australia and this week they are in Canberra celebrating what they and other women priests have achieved over the past 20 years.
