Judith Ireland

Abbott falters on surplus promise

Judith Ireland Labor has accused Tony Abbott of 'crab walking' away from his commitment to deliver a budget surplus in its first year of government, after the Opposition Leader told a community forum that 'all bets...

Queensland warned for dragging heels on royal succession changes

Judith Ireland The Gillard government is preparing to override Queensland's attempt to change British royal succession laws if the state does not fall into line with the federal approach at the Council of...

Nationals pick Joyce to take on Windsor

Judith Ireland and Sarah-Jane Collins Barnaby Joyce has been preselected as the Nationals candidate for the seat of New England.

Labor figures split over Crean attack on Gillard

Judith Ireland Labor MP Ed Husic says he will not 'tut tut' Simon Crean's assessment of Julia Gillard.

Unis robbed to pay for schools

Judith Ireland The average Australian school student would be $4000 better off over the next six years, provided the federal government gets an agreement from the states on its long-awaited school education reforms.

Joyce to challenge Windsor

Judith Ireland Barnaby Joyce says he expects the looming battle against Tony Windsor for the northern NSW seat of New England to be ''extremely tough''.

MPs voices fall on tin ears

Judith Ireland Western Sydney Labor MP Ed Husic has said he will not 'tut tut' Simon Crean's harsh assessment of Julia Gillard, in which the former Labor leader accused the Prime Minister of having a 'tin ear' for...

Bishop blast for Carr after story of Thatcher's 'racist comments'

Judith Ireland Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop has called on Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr to apologise to the family of Margaret Thatcher, after he remembered some ''unabashedly racist'' comments made by...

Carr attacked over 'slur' on Thatcher

Judith Ireland Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop has called on Foreign Minister Bob Carr to apologise to the family of Margaret Thatcher, after he recalled some ''unabashedly racist'' comments made by the...

Greens brace for conservative tide

Judith Ireland The Greens risk losing two Senate spots at the federal election, Christine Milne is concedes.

Greens braced for tough fight in Senate poll

Judith Ireland Greens leader Christine Milne admits the party faces a tough fight in the September federal election to hold the balance of power in the Senate, with the possibility that senators Sarah Hanson-Young...

Fund managers must reveal earnings - Milne

Judith Ireland Super fund managers could be forced to disclose how much they earn as part of a push by the Greens to boost transparency in the $1.5 trillion superannuation industry.

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.