Gillard takes on Abbott in the populist and cynical stakes

Michael Gordon Simon Crean maintains Australia's new cultural policy joins the dots on a range of Labor priorities.

Michael Gordon

The national disgrace that is our asylum-seeker debate

Michael Gordon A month before Julia Gillard's mini-campaign in Sydney's outer west, Tony Abbott took his own mini-campaign to Melbourne's outer east, and reflected with justifiable pride on the diversity of...

The demonisation continues

Michael Gordon The kindest thing that can be said of Scott Morrison's call for a freeze on the release of asylum seekers into the community on bridging visas is that it is a massive overreaction.

Michael Gordon

Team Legal goes in to bat for desperate Sri Lankans

Michael Gordon Here's a poser to start a dinner table conversation: Name one Australian institution that has emerged from a year of dismal politics, dashed expectations and revelations of systemic failure with its...

Michael Gordon

Friendship hits a snag in a sea of confusion over boats

Michael Gordon Paris Aristotle and David Manne are good friends. They have been for more than 15 years.

Michael Gordon

Everything is not all right, we're uptight, out of sight

Michael Gordon There are signs that both sides of politics are at least trying to inject a dose of confidence into the electorate.

Our politics has entered a new phase of uncertainty

Michael Gordon In this fluid political environment, stand by for more moments to make you wince.

Michael Gordon

Is this the beginning of a Gillard revival?

Michael Gordon Julia Gillard isn't big on admitting to personal failings. Truth is, she is at her best when her back's against the wall and she's conceding absolutely nothing.

Michael Gordon

The trouble with Labor's new-look Nauru solution

Michael Gordon If the comparison is with the early days of John Howard's Pacific Solution, the transfer of the first plane-load of asylum seekers to Nauru yesterday was a qualified success.

Michael Gordon

New regime every bit as tough as Howard's but will it work?

Michael Gordon The big surprise of the blueprint crafted by Julia Gillard's expert panel is that it is even tougher, in key respects, than the plan Tony Abbott was prepared to back just six weeks ago.

Michael Gordon

Plugging leaks in refugee boats policy

Michael Gordon A report from the retiring head of the Australian Human Rights Commission shines a light on the real reason our leaders have not found a way to respond to the issue of people who come to our country...

Michael Gordon

Time to stop finger-pointing and start being constructive

Michael Gordon It's time Tony Abbott made it possible for Julia Gillard to implement policies to prevent asylum-seeker tragedies.

Michael Gordon

Sound-bite diplomacy no solution to asylum seeker quandary

Michael Gordon There is a simple way to end the impasse on asylum seeker policy, but Tony Abbott and his immigration spokesman refuse to embrace it. Why?

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Michael Gordon

Washer's pain in the pursuit of a solution

Michael Gordon Mal Washer's emotional torment is the backstory to a paralysed Parliament.

Michael Gordon

Like it or not, Indonesia seems part of a solution

Michael Gordon Many poor Indonesian fisherman are serving mandatory five-year jail terms in Australia, while most of the smuggler kingpins get off the boats before they're intercepted.

Michael Gordon

PM begins the fight of her political life

Michael Gordon Julia Gillard underscored the uphill battle she faces to restore faith in her leadership when she observed yesterday that the nation has been debating the pros and cons of putting a price on carbon...

Michael Gordon

NT's tough love: helping hand or a heavy hand?

Michael Gordon An Aboriginal couple in their mid-20s are driving home to the central Australian community of Yuendumu when they are pulled over by the cops.

Michael Gordon

Let Games begin, for relief from the political hurdles

Michael Gordon Rewind four years. Popular Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd addresses a reception for the national team.

Michael Gordon

Abbott rejects no-lose deal

Michael Gordon A new political year has begun, but the landscape is unchanged.