Independent
Malcolm Fraser
China versus Japan: it's time for us to be independent
Malcolm Fraser The ownership of islands in the East China Sea now represents a highly sensitive and dangerous issue.
Thalia Anthony
Taser incidents need independent scrutiny
Thalia Anthony A review of a recent death involving a Taser is welcome, but does not diminish the appearance of police investigating police.
Action on inept anti-terror laws must get priority
George Williams Last week on budget day the federal government released two independent reports on Australia's anti-terrorism laws.
Coalition must be smarter when it issues preferences
Gerard Henderson Julia Gillard, Wayne Swan and Greg Combet appear to believe Labor will win the election.
Gallagher backs paid parking - but wants funds to stay local
Emma Macdonald and Tom McIlroy Canberra workers and visitors to national institutions will be forced to cough up almost $74 million in new parking fees in the Parliamentary Triangle and at Acton over the next three years.
Treasurer's faith in theory is touching
Tim Colebatch Why can't we believe the budget forecasts? Why were they so wrong over the past decade? Does Wayne Swan decide the forecasts, as the Liberals imply, or does Treasury?
The forecasts don't lie - but that doesn't mean you can trust them
Tim Colebatch Why can't we believe the budget forecasts? Why were they so wrong over the past decade? Does Wayne Swan decide the forecasts, as the Liberals want us to think, or does Treasury?
Anger subsides as leaders reach NDIS compromise
Stephanie Peatling Imagine if this Parliament finished with national disability insurance scheme signed, sealed and delivered.
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.
Expectation in the age of entitlement
Matt Wade Will your family be around the TV on Tuesday night to see what the federal government has in store?
Ready to jump off a cliff for principles
Barnaby Joyce Life in politics is punctuated with major challenges that throw into question the authenticity of your political mettle.
Gonski changes mean all can reach learning potential
John Falzon The Gonski review tells us 79 per cent of the most socio-economically disadvantage students go to public schools.
One shot at boosting our schools: it's now or never
Nicholas Reece The education reforms are the circuit-breaker our schools desperately need.
The thimble and pea trick on schools
Sean Nicholls Julia Gillard's plan to implement David Gonski's education reforms was unveiled at a crucial time for the states and territories: right in the middle of their budget preparations.
Come clean on role we played in abetting torture
George Williams A report has found Australia participated in the CIA's detention and torture of terrorist suspects after the attacks of September 11, 2001. This should come as no surprise.
Revive the body politic
Michael Short There will be at least some debate ahead of the federal election about policies and ideas. And there will be the banal and brutal attacks.
Behind Abbott's royal tug of war
Jack Waterford Tony Abbott has done us all a favour by placing anathema on the appointment of a new governor-general by the prime minister, Julia Gillard.
Napthine's crew in the sights of a loose cannon
Farrah Tomazin You get the feeling that Frankston MP Geoff Shaw enjoys his notoriety.
As the public purse thins, the rich feel the pinch
John Watson Soaring living costs and a rising reliance on private services are a double blow.
