Treasury admits mining tax unlikely to raise $2b

Judith Ireland Treasury has conceded that the mining tax looks unlikely to bring it the $2 billion it was forecast to, increasing the pressure on Treasurer Wayne Swan as he tries to find savings before the budget.

Gillard set for cabinet reshuffle

Judith Ireland Julia Gillard is expected to announce major changes to her ministerial line-up on Monday, following the leadership ructions last week.

Jockeying begins in Gillard's weekend reshuffle

Judith Ireland Prime Minister Julia Gillard is working on major changes to her ministerial line-up in the wake of the leadership spill last week that triggered a series of high-profile resignations.

There may be achievements, but voters still aren't getting Labor's message

Judith Ireland The government can't make itself heard, despite a strong economy and agenda.

Plot for the top job thickens, but then minister gets written out

Judith Ireland Once upon a time, a very senior minister held a press conference.

Subtle spark of life for Kev's cool crew up the back

Judith Ireland The long, low groan you can hear across the country is Australia asking: ''Are we there yet?''

Ending of political thriller is shrouded in mystery

Judith Ireland Look one way and cabinet members are denying or not commenting on reports they are rethinking their support for the Prime Minister.

On the QT

Indiana Gillard gets out of tight spot

Judith Ireland You don't need a PhD in political genius to know federal Labor is in a special kind of trouble right now.

Greens reserve right to vote against Conroy media bills

Judith Ireland The Australian Greens are reserving the right to vote against the federal government's controversial media reforms this week, according to communications spokesman Scott Ludlam, who says his party in...

PM reminded of promise on debates

Judith Ireland The Gillard's government's pledge to set up an independent body to organise federal election debates seems to have fallen into the ''black hole of good intentions'', independent MP Rob Oakeshott says.

Gillard enters volatile week of talk on whether to walk

Judith Ireland Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her fellow MPs will return to Canberra this week for the last parliamentary stint before a seven-week hiatus.

Silent treatment for leader debate

Judith Ireland The federal government's pledge to set up an independent body to organise election debates appears to have fallen into the ''black hole of good intentions'', says independent MP Rob Oakeshott.

Coalition 'plans pensioner slug'

Judith Ireland The Gillard government is to step up its attack on the Coalition over the cost of living, using this week's rise in the pension to argue that nearly 3.5 million people would lose $1.

Is that a drum roll sounding?

Judith Ireland Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her fellow MPs return to Canberra this week for the final parliamentary stint before a seven-week hiatus.

Reprieve for Hazara man

Judith Ireland, Esther Han An asylum seeker who was to be deported on Sunday has been given a reprieve after a last-minute injunction was lodged with a Sydney court.

Measuring hot air in degrees

Judith Ireland A hot air balloon crashes into the side of Wayne Swan's department, Canberrans look around, befuddled.

On the QT

Gillard is not likely to be going anywhere soon

Judith Ireland If you're a political leader in a precarious position, it can be hard to know what to do.

Judith Ireland

Polls apart: Gillard gets taste of good, bad, ugly

Judith Ireland You can picture the scene. A new day has just dawned in the national capital. The Prime Minister has barely opened an eye - not even had time for a cup of tea - as an adviser hovers nervously: ''PM,...

Swan rejects banks tax

Judith Ireland, Clancy Yeates, Mark Kenny Treasurer Wayne Swan has dismissed a Greens idea to impose a ''super profits'' tax on the big banks, saying it was not under government consideration.

Greens' big bank tax shot down

Judith Ireland Treasurer Wayne Swan dismisses a Greens idea to impose a super profits tax on the big banks, saying it was not under consideration by the federal government.