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.

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?''

Judith Ireland

Dud dress, hot proposal and asylum insanity mark FDD

Judith Ireland The Festival of Dubious Decisions is an ad hoc affair. It's not tied to any particular date, season or location.

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,...

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.

Parliament's little games so taxing for the PM

Judith Ireland Pope Benedict XVI's decision to step away from the Popemobile was met with surprise as well as understanding around the world. If one can't retire at 85, how could there possibly be a God?

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Judith Ireland

When tweets go wrong

Judith Ireland Coalition MP Andrew Laming has shaken and stirred controversy with his recent tweet, asking if rioters in Logan had done a "day's work".

Judith Ireland

Abbott baby remarks hit barren political ground

Judith Ireland YOU would think that in the current climate, MPs would vigorously avoid saying anything that could possibly be construed as criticism of Julia Gillard's private life.

Oh .. tainted vote, Tainted vote, Touch me baby, tainted vote

Judith Ireland Clearly when it comes to Slipper’s ‘‘tainted vote’’ the Coalition just doesn’t feel the need to get away.

Judith Ireland

The storm passes but Tony still dives in

Judith Ireland Yesterday, Julia Gillard was crowned a political ''badass'' by the international media - a leader who could teach the world a lesson or two about misogyny.

Judith Ireland

Holy mackerel! It's a fishy, but familiar business

Judith Ireland Nothing can stop HMAS Rudd trawling. Even if he has been banned for two years.

Judith Ireland

The worlds of politics and celebrity collide

Judith Ireland Politics and the world of celebrity don't usually mix. Like alcohol and naked flames or vegans and KFC, the two tend to maintain a safe distance from one another.

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Judith Ireland

How well does Gillard really know Canberra?

Judith Ireland Prime Minister Julia Gillard is rousing on the big bad states of Victoria and New South Wales today for not coming to the party on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Grumpy pollies more than one can bear

Judith Ireland National Simultaneous Storytime may sound like a parent's worst nightmare, but it is actually an initiative to promote literacy.

Angry little Vegemite's prima donna effort

Judith Ireland For almost 18 months, Kevin Rudd has grinned that mile-wide grin of his and borne it.

Clear air with Rudd back there

Judith Ireland Take a deep and gulpy breath of air. That invigorating, fresh feeling isn't due to the fact that autumn is officially upon us. Or that Australia's clean energy future is only months away.

Judith Ireland

PM and Abbott at cross purposes

Judith Ireland The government is fond of calling Tony Abbott ‘‘Dr No’’ but that could change to ‘‘Dr Cross’’ after Julia Gillard opened budget week with a provocative shot at the Opposition Leader.

Judith Ireland

A gap year for adults can be good for country

Judith Ireland With the holidays drawing to a close, you can hear the clarion call of the daily grind across Australia.

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