Leaders hail indigenous strategy

DAN HARRISON Aboriginal leaders say a new national strategy to strengthen communities will be a watershed in the battle to reduce indigenous suicide rates that, in some age groups, are several times higher than for other Australians.

Hockey plays it cool on chances of any tax cuts

Mark Kenny, Peter Martin Further tax cuts would have to wait until the budget was repaired under a future Coalition government.

ASIO backs down on threat ruling

Daniel Flitton, Michael Gordon 5:07pm A refugee widow and her six-year-old son will taste freedom in Australia after ASIO dramatically reversed an assessment she posed a threat to national security.

Rudd set to challenge again: Pyne

3:48pm Senior Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne says a Labor source has told him Kevin Rudd will again challenge for the leadership in June.

Parental leave is no holiday: Hockey

3:28pm Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey has apologised for an analogy that equated maternity leave for women with men going on holidays.

Coalition plan to split 'aggressive' tax office

JUDITH IRELAND 5:14pm The Coalition has signalled it may break up the Australian Taxation Office if it wins government, to ensure a "more independent" resolution to tax disputes.

String of tax cuts blamed for budget shortfalls

TIM COLEBATCH 12:35pm The federal budget will remain in structural deficit for several years after it is officially forecast to return to surplus in 2015-16, Federal Treasury has estimated.

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Opposition 'doesn't believe' Treasury claims of independence

JUDITH IRELAND 1:06pm Shadow assistant treasurer Mathias Cormann has dismissed comments from Treasury head Martin Parkinson that his department does not tailor numbers to the government, arguing "you wouldn't expect him to say anything else".

Craig Thomson facing 19 new charges as lawyers plead for more time

Mark Russell 10:19am Former Federal Labor MP Craig Thomson accused of using a Health Services Union credit card to pay for prostitutes has appeared in court today to face 19 fresh charges.

Single parents struggle after shift to Newstart

Shane Green, Rachel Browne A bleak picture of disadvantage among single parents forced onto Newstart has emerged, with a new Salvation Army report finding the contentious policy has compounded levels of deprivation.

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Wong accuses Christian group of gay 'bigotry'

MARK KENNY A war of words over gay marriage has broken out between Labor government figures and a powerful Christian lobby group whose support has long been regarded as necessary to winning elections.

Detainee self-harm falls but figures questioned

BIANCA HALL Opinion Self-harm rates among asylum seekers in Australian detention centres has dramatically fallen since September 2011.

Wong lashes out at Christian lobby

MARK KENNY A virtual war over gay marriage has broken out between key Labor government figures and a powerful Christian lobby group.

Conroy backs TV bookies

HEATH ASTON Communications Minister Stephen Conroy brokered a deal with the television industry to allow betting companies to continue spruiking live odds during sports broadcasts, despite the growing public backlash against the spread of gambling culture.

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Conroy faces revolt over deal on live betting odds

HEATH ASTON Stephen Conroy brokered a deal with the television industry to allow betting companies to continue spruiking live odds during sports broadcasts, despite the growing public backlash against the spread of gambling culture.

Deprivation worsening among single parents, report reveals

Shane Green A bleak picture of disadvantage among single parents forced onto Newstart has emerged, with a new Salvation Army report finding the contentious policy has compounded levels of deprivation.

State Liberals propose privatising ABC, SBS

JOSH GORDON Tony Abbott is facing internal pressure from Victorian Liberals to privatise the ABC and SBS if he wins the September 14 election amid claims both organisations are struggling to comply with their charters.

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