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...
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.
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.
Abbott ducks questions on asylum seeker protocols
Bianca Hall Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has refused to answer questions about he was briefed before Scott Morrison made controversial comments about asylum seekers on bridging visas needing ''behavioural...
Official barred from visits to Nauru, Manus Island
Bianca Hall The federal government's top legal adviser has told Australian Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs she cannot visit Nauru and Manus Island to assess and act on complaints from asylum seekers...
Human rights chief warned off islands visit
Bianca Hall The federal government's top legal adviser has told Australia's Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs she cannot visit Nauru and Manus Island to assess and act on complaints from asylum seekers...
Few asylum seekers charged with crime
Bianca Hall Asylum seekers living in the community on bridging visas are about 45 times less likely to be charged with a crime than members of the general public.
Liberals under hammer over asylum seeker crime claims
Bianca Hall ASYLUM seekers living in the community on bridging visas are about 45 times less likely to be charged with a crime than members of the public.
Green senator to lodge complaint on asylum seeker comments
Bianca Hall Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will file formal complaints with the Australian Communications and Media Authority over recent comments made by the opposition and ''shock jocks'' about asylum...
High Court dismisses appeal in 'offensive' letters case
Bianca Hall A self-styled Muslim cleric accused of sending offensive letters to the families of dead diggers has had his appeal against the charge dismissed.
PM tells asylum seekers hunger strikes will not change outcome
Bianca Hall Hunger strikes and suicide attempts by asylum seekers on Nauru will not get them ''anywhere'', the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, said on Monday.
Detainee protests futile, says PM
Bianca Hall Hunger strikes and suicide attempts by asylum seekers on Nauru won't get asylum seekers ''anywhere'', Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Monday.
