Chris Johnson

PM dismisses legal work claims

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard has angrily dismissed suggestions she left the employ of law firm Slater & Gordon 17 years ago in controversial circumstances.

Independent accuses Abbott of hypocrisy

Chris Johnson Key independent MP Tony Windsor has delivered a blistering parliamentary attack on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott for what he describes as hypocrisy over carbon pricing.

A bit of outreach and it's plain sailing on boats

Chris Johnson Asylum seekers reaching Australia by boat are now likely to be sent to Nauru and Manus Island to live in tents, after the passing of legislation allowing a return to offshore processing.

Soldiers await orders as asylum debate limps along

Chris Johnson Australian soldiers could be on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island as early as Friday preparing for asylum seeker detention centres to be re-opened within a month.

Chris Johnson

PM back to Pacific Solution

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard has all but adopted John Howard's ''Pacific Solution'' to asylum seekers, agreeing to urgently reopen offshore processing centres at Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus...

Opposition chides Swan for channelling Springsteen

Chris Johnson Molly Meldrum for Treasurer? Glenn A. Baker perhaps?

Swan to remind all who's the boss

Chris Johnson Treasurer Wayne Swan has searched deep within himself to draw inspiration from his personal rock idol Bruce Springsteen as he ramps up his criticism of Australia’s richest and most outspoken mining...

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Robb commits to disability scheme

Chris Johnson A Coalition government would go ahead with Labor's National Disability Insurance Scheme and deliver it on schedule, according to shadow finance minister Andrew Robb.

Disability deal a win: Gillard

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard has described deals struck with Victoria and NSW to launch trials of the National Disability Insurance Scheme as an important win for people with disabilities.

Chris Johnson, Emma Macdonald

ACT will lead trial disability scheme

Chris Johnson, Emma Macdonald The ACT will lead the nation with the largest of three trial launches for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, after Chief Minister Katy Gallagher agreed to join with the federal government in...

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Poor poll puts pressure on PM

Chris Johnson Senior Labor figures are discussing the possibility of a return to Kevin Rudd as prime minister in the wake of the government's latest disastrous polling results.

Oakeshott gives Labor sharp reminder of focus

Chris Johnson Government MPs are today scurrying to convince the Australian electorate they are more focussed on policy than on the embattled Labor leadership after a wake-up call from key independent Rob...

Gillard safe in her job for now: backbenchers

Chris Johnson Labor MPs are feeling electorally vulnerable but there is no firm plan to topple Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Prosecutor to examine Slipper case material

Chris Johnson Australian Federal Police have referred possible case material against Speaker Peter Slipper to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for examination.

PM brushes aside fresh talk of leadership spill

By Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard is refusing to buy into a renewed surge in leadership speculation, sparked by chief government whip Joel Fitzgibbon, who suggested continued bad polling might see a...

Abbott's 'sham' is exposed, PM says

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott stars in a pantomime scripted to say no to all action against people smugglers, according to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who insists the Coalition's asylum seeker...

Chris Johnson

AFP hits roadblock on checks

By Chris Johnson Australian Federal Police are struggling to cope with a backlog of national police check applications, forcing applicants to wait weeks for clearances and callers to be left hanging on the phone for...

Food firm distances itself from tax letter

Chris Johnson The parent company of one of Australia's largest bakery chains has been forced to distance itself from a management missive urging franchisees to blame price rises on the carbon tax.

Gillard agrees to fast track kids' freedom

Chris Johnson Indonesia has vowed to work more closely with Australia to fight people smuggling rackets, but it wants its detained underage nationals who were caught working on asylum seeker boats to be released...

People smuggling top priority at Aust-Indon talks

Chris Johnson What to do about people smuggling is the highest priority for talks between Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.