Legislation
David Marr
Labor's anti-discrimination legislation is a bigots' charter
David Marr The Gillard government is too scared to brawl with the bishops, rabbis and imams over equality.
Solar legislation fires heated debate
The debate on the ACT's solar electricity generation scheme took a bitter turn yesterday as the territory Government won the in-principal support it needs for the third tranche of its solar program.
Assembly to review self-govt legislation
The ACT Legislative Assembly will embark on a ''root and branch'' review of the Self-Government Act, in the wake of reform to federal territories' rights laws.
George Williams
Tax challengers take a swing, but legislation is unlikely to buckle
George Williams The Gillard government's carbon and mining taxes are set to be tested in the High Court. These constitutional assaults will be launched by two of Australia's mining billionaires.
The day the steel melted
Tony Wright Julia Gillard once spoke of having been a shy, reserved child who had grown a shell hardened by the rigours of politics and who had learnt the arts of ''holding a fair bit back, and hanging tough''.
The battle won, woman of steel sheds armour
Tony Wright Julia Gillard once spoke of having been a shy, reserved schoolchild who had grown a shell hardened by the rigours of politics and who had learnt the arts of ''holding a fair bit back, and hanging...
Sly support for referendum
John Warhurst Supporters of same-sex marriage would be misguided to encourage a referendum this September.
Industrial lite on the hill
Michael Gordon Tony Abbott has produced a minimalist industrial relations policy with a bold objective - to eliminate what he considers the biggest threat to a Coalition victory in September.
Anger subsides as leaders reach NDIS compromise
Stephanie Peatling Imagine if this Parliament finished with national disability insurance scheme signed, sealed and delivered.
Free-rein proposal by Canberra should be hobbled before the pass
Chris Berg If the government has its way, we'll have an extra question to answer at the federal election in September.
Pyne's Anzac call wide of the mark
Peter Garrett The School Education Minister responds to a Coalition call for Anzac Day to feature more prominently in the curriculum.
Why a referendum on gay marriage is a bad idea
Rodney Croome I understand why some supporters of marriage equality support independent MP Tony Windsor's idea of a referendum on the issue.
Windsor vote push could open can of worms
George Williams A national vote on gay marriage holds the alluring prospect of providing an immediate way to achieve this important social change.
See what public thinks on same-sex marriage
Gerard Henderson The media in Australia is obsessed with same-sex marriage. It is far from clear, however, that this is a priority for many Australians living in the suburbs and regional centres - far away from the...
PM goes for broke on disability scheme
Stephanie Peatling The Prime Minister is seeking to make the introduction of a national disability insurance scheme one of the hallmarks of her leadership.
Beyond the fringe
Tom Chivers The annual White House Correspondents' Dinner is an opportunity for the President to try out a bit of self-deprecation.
Cynical game played at the expense of the disabled
Mark Kenny Around 2 million Australians desperate to see disability insurance become a reality are now caught in a political game of chicken with neither side of politics prepared to unconditionally back...
Controls are needed to prevent a generation of problem gamblers
Richard Di Natale My bill to introduce restrictions on the promotion of betting odds during sports broadcasts and programs such as The Footy Show has certainly evoked some passionate responses.
Michael Gordon
From class wars to classroom war: the Gillard battle plan
Michael Gordon Dejected federal Labor MPs have something positive to say to their alienated, disengaged and even hostile constituents.
Slick language in the service of poor policy
Jacqueline Maley These people, the online commenter said, should be sent home ''now, today, if not sooner''. Sooner than now? I thought. Isn't that the name of a Smiths song?
