South Korean whaling plan condemned

Judith Ireland, Andrew Darby Prime Minister Julia Gillard has condemned a South Korean move to begin whaling and has instructed Australia's top diplomat in Seoul to express Australia's opposition to the news.

Navy vessels rescue asylum seekers

Judith Ireland, Daniel Flitton and Michael Bachelard Warnings that people smugglers are using the Australian Navy like ''an NRMA'' shows the government has failed to protect Australia's borders, Opposition frontbencher Christopher Pyne says.

Brumby's munches humble pie

Jessica Wright and Judith Ireland The parent company of Brumby’s Bakery franchise has apologised for ‘‘foolish and ill-considered’’ advice that encouraged bakeries to put up prices and ‘‘let the carbon tax take the blame.’’

Distressed asylum boat located

Jessica Wright, Judith Ireland A boat, reported to be in distress south of Indonesia, has ignored advice to turn around and is heading south towards Christmas Island.

Libya's lawyer concerns must be taken seriously, says ambassador

Judith Ireland, Karen Kissane and Daniel Flitton The Libyan government regards the circumstances surrounding the detention of lawyer Melinda Taylor as a major breach of trust, Australia's ambassador to Libya has warned.

Judith Ireland, Karen Kissane

Freed lawyer speaks to 'delighted' husband

Judith Ireland, Karen Kissane Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor has flown home to the Netherlands, after she was released from jail in Libya overnight.

Too many tours for some Diggers: Defence Association

Judith Ireland Some Australian soldiers are undertaking too many deployments, Australia Defence Association executive director Neil James says.

Wong joins brave new world of Twitter

Judith Ireland It might be Doomsday (with the introduction of the carbon tax), but for Finance Minister Penny Wong, it is a brave new world.

Libya lawyer

Judith Ireland By Judith Ireland

Delight at imminent release of captured daughter

Rory Callinan, Jessica Wright and Judith Ireland Melinda Taylor's parents are relieved and overjoyed at the news the Australian lawyer will be released from Libyan custody as early as this evening.

Government has measure on C-Day debate

Judith Ireland We've had two boat disasters, two days of impassioned debate and votes in two Houses. Yet we've still ended up right back where we started: with our politicians talking about how much they care about...

Senate rejects 'compromise' asylum seeker bill

Judith Ireland The parliamentary stalemate on asylum seekers is set to continue, after Independent MP Rob Oakeshott's compromise bill on offshore processing was defeated in the Senate, 39 votes to 29.

'I've had better days': Washer

Judith Ireland Liberal backbencher Mal Washer thinks that more people will die before the parliament comes up with the right asylum seeker policy and says parliament should not rise tonight until a solution has...

PM unclear if any lost from stricken boat

Jessica Wright and Judith Ireland Prime Minister Gillard said that the lack of precision on the numbers made it difficult to tell if anyone was unaccounted for. "I simply don't know," she said.

One dead, 130 rescued in ocean drama

Judith Ireland and Jessica Wright Authorities have completed the rescue operation and reported 130 people had been rescued. One body was recovered and three people were believed to have gone down with the boat, the Australian...

Detained lawyer speaks to family

Judith Ireland Melinda Taylor has been able to speak to her family for the first time since she was detained in Libya three weeks ago.

Judith Ireland

Cold war lies at the heart of winter politics

Judith Ireland Is this the politics of our discontent? We may have passed the winter solstice (shout out to all the pagans!) but the political scene continues to be whipped by unforgiving winds and dominated by...

PM 'open' to talks on asylum seeker deal

Judith Ireland Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she is "open'' to further discussions with the opposition on offshore processing but is standing by the government's Malaysia solution.

Judith Ireland

Those who want the good news will still read the fine print

Judith Ireland Weird that when the news broke that Fairfax was axing 1900 jobs, closing printing presses, chopping its broadsheets in half and ''monetising'' digital content that there was a certain element of glee...

No sign of early release for Australian lawyer: reports

Bianca Hall and Judith Ireland Libyan Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib has said that Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor is guilty of actions that "compromised national security" and would not be released from detention in Libya,...