Drift to Rudd, as MPs waver

Chris Johnson Labor backbenchers are again being sounded out about the possibility of a Kevin Rudd comeback, while their apparent drop in public appearances suggests a new level of government despondency.

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Thomson issue to go to privileges committee

Chris Johnson Federal Independents are split over whether Parliament should censure scandal-plagued MP Craig Thomson.

Thomson can't be judged, MPs say

Chris Johnson Independent MPs have cautioned against parliament becoming judge and jury over claims Craig Thomson misused his former Health Services Union credit card for personal gain, including paying for...

Rumoured rent row could leave spies out in cold

Chris Johnson Australia's top spies will have to wait to move into their grandiose new headquarters if a suspected rental disagreement between their bosses and the Department of Finance and Deregulation is not...

UN seeks continued Australian Africa aid

Chris Johnson United Nations World Food Programme bosses from Africa are today in discussions with the Australian government over the need for continued aid to Somalia and South Sudan.

Independent MPs pushing for guidelines

Chris Johnson Federal backbenchers from both sides of politics are not rushing to embrace the concept of a formal code of conduct for MPs' behaviour.

Libs fight as Abbott keeps his distance

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has been forced to insist a feud between two Liberal Party powerbrokers has nothing to do with him and it is not causing any problems for the federal Coalition.

Abbott attacks Gillard's 'class war'

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has accused the government of trying to portray Australia's political contest as one between billionaires and battlers.

Costello denies bid for safe seat

Chris Johnson Former treasurer Peter Costello has denied he made an unsuccessful bid for a parliamentary comeback that has sparked a factional war inside the Liberal Party.

Cash plan passed after Thomson vows to explain

Chris Johnson Bonus cash for families with school children will be handed out across Australia next month, after Labor succeeded in getting Parliament's support for the controversial budget measure.

Swan slashes 4200 PS jobs

Chris Johnson Thousands of Canberra-based public servants will lose their jobs to help get the economy back in the black, under a federal budget that pushes a new round of middle-class welfare initiatives.

It's only $1.5b, but Swan has a surplus

Chris Johnson Treasurer Wayne Swan will flag today a modest surplus of $1.5 billion for 2012-13.

HSU report casts gloom over budget

Chris Johnson Federal MP Craig Thomson used his Health Services Union credit card to pay for prostitutes, according a Fair Work Australia investigation.

Gillard backers desert as poll chances slide

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard's woes have deepened, with more of her backers withdrawing support in the face of shocking poll results and continuing political crises.

Scandal build-up doom for Gillard

Chris Johnson As senior government ministers voice their support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard's actions over the Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper scandals, Labor backbenchers are again talking about the...

Scandals crossed the line, PM says

Chris Johnson The Federal government remains in crisis today despite Prime Minister Julia Gillard's move to kick Craig Thomson out of the Labor Party and to keep Peter Slipper away from the Speaker's chair.

Labor in despair as morale hits new low

Chris Johnson Morale in Labor ranks has plunged to a new low described as ''unprecedented despair'' with many backbenchers fearing the combined Thomson and Slipper scandals have made it all but impossible to win...

Slipper produces Cabcharges to refute fraud claims

Chris Johnson Speaker Peter Slipper has answered claims of criminal fraud against him by releasing documents he says proves his innocence.

Government set to intervene on footy broadcasts

Chris Johnson The government could come to the aid of the professional football codes by rushing legislation through Parliament if Optus's right to stream Australian Football League games on the internet is upheld...

Slipper must give up ministry: archbishop

Ross Peake, Chris Johnson Speaker Peter Slipper will come under intense pressure to stand aside from private priestly duties when he is confronted by the Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, John Hepworth, about the...