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.

Plot for the top job thickens, but then minister gets written out

Judith Ireland Once upon a time, a very senior minister held a press conference.

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.

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.

Measuring hot air in degrees

Judith Ireland A hot air balloon crashes into the side of Wayne Swan's department, Canberrans look around, befuddled.

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

Turnbull's plaintive cry not all that questionable

Judith Ireland Just how much power does Malcolm Turnbull wield over the wild world of Australia's Parliament?

Judith Ireland

Free character assessment here

Judith Ireland Character is a big deal within the hallowed halls of Parliament House.

Judith Ireland

Sporting chance of success for asylum-seeker solution

Judith Ireland There is a spirit of peace and fresh starts in the air, no? Not only did the Spice Girls reunite for the sake of the Olympic Games, they have also resolved their 15-year feud with rock band Oasis.

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.

As Albanese navigates, another MP burns

Judith Ireland Australian politics may be busy trying to out-bizarre itself, but Anthony Albanese has been getting on with the business of government.

On the QT

House of insults drives Gillard to distraction

Judith Ireland It would be fair to say that politics is an insult-heavy game.

Judith Ireland

Talk of death dies hard with ditch the witch

Judith Ireland There has to be a kinder, gentler way for Tony Abbott to describe the political battle ahead.

Judith Ireland

Tainted huff, but no soft sell

Judith Ireland In usual circumstances, the aim of the game is to stay inside the chamber.

Time suddenly on Abbott's side

Judith Ireland Has Christopher Pyne taken up painting by numbers? Is Tony Abbott now having midday spa treatments? Perhaps Julie Bishop is enjoying 12-course lunches with matched wines and petit fours and Warren...