Immigration
No mantra justifies this employer takeover of immigration policy
Dave Noonan Most Australians would be astonished that employers do not even have to advertise for Australian workers before getting 457 visa workers approved, let alone prove no Australian workers are available.
Mark Barabak
Obama immigration decision shows he can't wait
Mark Barabak BY CALLING a halt to the deportation of hundreds of thousands of young people who are in the US illegally, President Barack Obama not only helps himself politically with two groups vital to his...
Ross Gittins
Punters well aware of economic case against more immigration
Ross Gittins The Big Australia issue has gone quiet since the election but it hasn't gone away. It can't go away because it's too central to our future and, despite Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott's rare agreement...
Annabel Crabb
Ruddboat had all hands on deck to bale out flood of immigration queries
Annabel Crabb The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has much to report on the climate front. For instance, as he told his colleagues yesterday at their regular Tuesday morning love-in, Australia has just been invited by...
New broom can make a mess
Jack Waterford Nothing erodes effectiveness more than constant reorganisation, rebadging and reshuffling at the top
Asbestos dust-up overcooked as pollies turn up heat
Tony Wright Material no longer prized for its fireproofing ability also fails to reduce the scorching of politicians.
Ice queen Gillard must thaw or be carved up by slogans
Jacqueline Maley When Julia Gillard addressed her first caucus meeting as Prime Minister after the 2010 election, her Labor colleagues gave her a standing ovation.
ON THE QT
Good time to listen in naughty corner
Judith Ireland You have to feel for Anna Burke. Is there a more tedious job in Australia than being parliamentary Speaker?
What sort of prime minister will this man be?
Tim Soutphommasane It is simplistic to think we are entering a new conservative stage in our national politics.
Abbott, O'Farrell have equal claim to Menzies' legacy
Gerard Henderson Premier Barry O'Farrell is a proud follower of Robert Menzies (1894 to 1978), the founder of the modern Liberal Party.
Abbott's new election effort is by the book
Jacqueline Maley All writers know that books are like children. So it was no surprise that when Opposition Leader and author Tony Abbott faced the media on Monday, he clutched his latest literary creation to his...
Sri Lanka's abused worthy of help
Chris Johnson Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor returns today from a visit to Sri Lanka, where he discussed the challenges of refugees and people smuggling.
Say whatever you like about Thatcher, but keep it civil
John Warhurst The judgments of Thatcher in death have been as diverse and as spirited as they were in life.
Seven strategies to rally the nation's fortunes
Matthew Kidman Is Tony Abbott about to become the single most important driver of the Australian share market?
Use of term 'illegal' is ignorant or mischievous
Jane McAdam While the Coalition may have hoped to score political points with the reappearance of its "illegal boats" billboard this week, it has shone a spotlight on its feeble grasp of international law.
Daniel Flitton
Escape to a fair deal? Not in this country!
Daniel Flitton Keeping people in detention with no explanation, no trial, no appeal, should be a crime.
Giving teeth to racist dogma
Matthew Zagor As Scott Morrison has now confirmed his ''behaviour protocols'' for boat arrivals released into the community is opposition policy, it's worth looking at exactly what the opposition immigration...
Nothing illegal about those seeking asylum
Bianca Hall It's gathering dusk at Christmas Island's Flying Fish Cove. A father stands tall and strong on his paddleboard, his infant cross-legged on the board behind him.
Time for rethink on asylum seeker treament
Gillian Triggs Australia is at risk of breaching human rights treaties with its treatment of asylum seekers.
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?
