Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson is the National Political Correspondent for The Sunday Age and The Sun-Herald
Live exports to Egypt suspended
Chris Johnson The Australian livestock sector is again reeling after the emergence of new footage showing extreme cattle cruelty in Egyptian abattoirs.
Satellites key to Australia's first space policy
Chris Johnson The use of satellite technology has been ramped up as a national priority, with the launch of Australia’s first ever space policy.
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...
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...
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.
Bonus rort for public servants 'over soon'
Chris Johnson Wasting taxpayer funds on redundancy packages for Commonwealth public servants who are close to retiring will soon be a thing of the past, according to the federal opposition.
Asian Century stillborn as activity stalls
Chris Johnson Rumblings within the public service suggest the much-publicised Asian Century white paper has stalled in its implementation stage, with the government taking too long to appoint an advisory board and...
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.
Bill for ASC bullying probe $170k
Chris Johnson The government has paid more than $170,000 to external consultants to address complaints of bullying and inappropriate behaviour at the Australian Sports Commission.
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...
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.
$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.
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.
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 more at ease when she is abroad
Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard has confessed she now enjoys representing Australia on the world stage.
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...
PM goes on attack in AWU episode
Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard blunted the opposition's attack over the Australian Workers Union scandal on Monday, savaging her chief accuser - union official Ralph Blewitt - in the process.
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.
