The boats keep coming

Bianca Hall Immigration correspondent Bianca Hall is on Christmas Island, she speaks to Tim Lester about what's going on on the ground.

Islanders feel the squeeze on housing and produce

Bianca Hall As the number of asylum seekers on the island rises, so too do the pressures on the resources of Christmas Island.

Families may be freed on limited visas

Mark Kenny, Bianca Hall Asylum seeker families could be released into the community on bridging visas to relieve pressure.

400 more asylum seekers expected by end of week

Bianca Hall Locals are bracing for another lot of asylum seekers, following the arrival of almost 300 so far this week.

Push to free refugee families as the boats keep coming

Mark Kenny, Bianca Hall Asylum seeker families could be released into the community on bridging visas to relieve pressure on an overwhelmed budget and a border protection system struggling against an unprecedented surge in...

More asylum seekers arrive

Bianca Hall Two boatloads of asylum seekers were brought to shore on Christmas Island on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the tragedy that left a woman in her 30s and a young boy dead.

More deaths predicted as two more boats arrive and numbers soar

Bianca Hall and Michael Gordon Two boatloads of asylum seekers arrived at Christmas Island on Tuesday, bringing the total to 11 since Friday amid an unprecedented surge in irregular immigration by sea.

No confidence motion will spice up budget week

Bianca Hall, Jonathan Swan The Coalition will put a motion of no confidence in the government into the parliamentary schedule for budget week in May.

No confidence vote to be moved in budget week

Bianca Hall, Jonathan Swan Coalition to put a motion of no confidence into the parliamentary schedule for budget week in May.

Coalition to push new no confidence motion

Bianca Hall, Jonathan Swan and David Wroe Labor will remain a party riven with deep and vicious differences despite Prime Minister Julia Gillard staring down the leadership challenge, the Coalition says.

Praise for Macklin after disability scheme clears final hurdle

Bianca Hall Legislation setting up the National Disability Insurance Scheme has cleared its final parliamentary hurdle on Thursday, sparking a rare congratulations for the government from the opposition benches.

Watchdog holds fears for indefinite detainees

Bianca Hall Fears have been raised for the welfare of about a dozen asylum seekers who have been held in detention for more than two years, with no immediate hope of release.

Single-parent move a 'breach of human rights'

Bianca Hall A Labor-dominated parliamentary committee has found that the federal government's move to force single parents off parenting payments, and onto the lower Newstart allowance, could be a breach of...

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Joyce denies he's after Truss's job

Bianca Hall and Mark Kenny Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has laughed off suggestions he has designs on the party's leadership, categorically ruling out challenging leader Warren Truss for the top job.

New party to keep a close watch over population, immigration

Bianca Hall Population growth is ''causing or exacerbating all of Australia's major problems'', according to a new political party created for the September election.

Libs no to condemning vilification

Bianca Hall Coalition votes against bid to have Parliament's upper house condemn vilification of asylum seekers and refugees.

Crean will press states over local government referendum

Bianca Hall The chances of a referendum on the constitutional recognition of local government being held on election day in September are receding because Victoria and Western Australia are refusing to support...

ACTU to fight 457 visa 'slavery'

Bianca Hall The treatment of some migrant workers on 457 visas is ''tantamount to slavery'', says the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

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Mining

Mining tax 'crude form' of control of states

Bianca Hall The federal government's mining tax is 'a crude form of control of the states', Andrew Forrest's lawyer told the High Court on Wednesday.

Mining tax unconstitutional, court told

Bianca Hall The federal government's minerals resource rent tax is unconstitutional because it imposes different tax rates on miners in different states and territories, the High Court has heard.