Labor rounds on Tanner over criticism

Jessica Wright and Phillip Coorey Senior Government figures have rounded on Lindsay Tanner over his characterisation of Labor as soulless and without purpose or conviction.

It'll be a close contest, says Gillard

Phillip Coorey JULIA Gillard has emerged from her first full day of meetings at the United Nations, saying Australia was encouraged about winning a seat on the UN Security Council but next month's vote was too...

Phillip Coorey

Numbers game as Gillard plays meet and greet

Phillip Coorey 'Thankfully it's not show and tell,' said a senior member of Australia's delegation to New York this week. 'It's our best hope.'

'Labor has lost its purpose - and soul'

Phillip Coorey LABOR has become an electoral machine largely devoid of purpose and risks a period of "unprecedented bleakness", the former finance minister and party powerbroker Lindsay Tanner says.

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Abbott has a blinkered view, says Carr

Phillip Coorey The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bob Carr, has accused Tony Abbott of having a blinkered view of the world for opposing Australia's bid for the United Nations Security Council.

Gillard's UN meeting cruelled by illness

Phillip Coorey A stomach bug has felled Julia Gillard, forcing her to cancel three significant events on the first full day of her visit to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

Asian focus is vital for economy's future, says Carr

Phillip Coorey The Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, has had to deliver a major speech on behalf of Julia Gillard in New York last night after the Prime Minister fell ill.

Australia 'best placed' in growing region for UN seat

Phillip Coorey THE Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has outlined a national interest case for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, saying Australia is central to a region rapidly gaining influence.

Gillard to talk up Australia's Asia future

Phillip Coorey, New York Prime Minister Julia Gillard warns that Australia must become Asia-literate and Asia-capable if it is to sustain the economy well into the future.

PM (and SBY) in NY at UN

Phillip Coorey, New York Prime Minister Julia Gillard has outlined a national interest case for Australia winning a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Gillard leads final push for UN role

Phillip Coorey, New York Prime Minister to focus on African nations in last push for non-permanent Security Council seat.

Gillard to woo Africa in final stage of UN bid

Phillip Coorey THE Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, will focus heavily on African nations while in New York this week as she leads the final concerted push for Australia to win a non-permanent seat on the United...

Phillip Coorey

Security Council bid long overdue

Phillip Coorey When Julia Gillard touches down in New York this morning, she will be on a mission from Rudd. It was on a Saturday afternoon, 4 1/2 years ago, during his first major overseas odyssey as prime...

Attack on public service a case of 'sour grapes': union

Phillip Coorey and Jessica Wright A CALL to cull the number of political staffers in ministerial offices by half has been met with outrage by public service unions who say the suggestion, made by the head of the Business Council of...

Political yoke pulls public sector down, says business chief

Phillip Coorey THE Business Council of Australia has deplored the decline of the public service, saying intimidation by growing legions of political staffers has led increasingly to poor policy that hurts the...

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Bernardi cops it sweet but stands firm

Phillip Coorey, James Robertson CORY BERNARDI arrived in London unrepentant about his claim that legalised gay marriage could be extended to include bestiality and arguing he was a victim of ''modern politics''.

Unrepentant Bernardi lands in London

Phillip Coorey Cory Bernardi has arrived in London unrepentant about is claim gay marriage could lead to bestialty and arguing he was a vicitim of ''modern politics''.

'Freelance' and you're fired: Abbott

Phillip Coorey THE Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, has warned his frontbenchers, including the Nationals, that they face the sack if they ''freelance'' between now and the next election.

Gillard, Lowy defend multiculturalism

Phillip Coorey THE Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and one of Australia's greatest refugee success stories, Frank Lowy, joined forces last night to defend multiculturalism against criticisms prompted by the riots in...