Tick for Coalition costings, but clouds looms

PETER MARTIN The Coalition receives a clean bill of health on its election costings, with the Parliamentary Budget Office finding that if anything it understated the boost they will give to the budget.

Hockey looks to Asia as the US stutters

Tom Allard Treasurer Joe Hockey expresses doubts the world has seen the last of the US debt impasse as he urges the US to get its house in order and signas a renewed focus on Asia.

Shorten boasts of Gen Xers at his table

MARK KENNY Opposition Leader Bill Shorten declines to explain why his new spokesman for the 2015 Anzac centenary is a senator who will be out of Parliament nearly a year before the event itself.

Slipper seeks end to 'sham of justice'

DANIEL HURST Former speaker Peter Slipper calls on authorities to consider charging Liberal MP Don Randall, arguing the latest expenses scandal is the starkest example yet of unfair treatment.

Couple tried to fight crooked union boss

KATE MCCLYMONT While disgraced former Labor Party president Michael Williamson looks set to be jailed for stealing $1 million from his former union, a Fairfax Media investigation uncovers a pattern of extraordinary criminality.

We're in the box seat to feel the squeeze

PETER HARTCHER 11:59pm Australia's position may be harmed when the US is diminished but there's also a possible advantage for us from our ally's recent debacle.

Tony Abbott: here are your 10 commandments

Nikki McWatters How might Jesus have governed Australia? As a greenie, leftie, pinko atheist, it strikes me that being a Liberal Prime Minister and a devout Christian is a hard ask, so here's some free advice to Tony Abbott.

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Climate change ship heads to uncharted waters

Wendy Harmer There's no doubt that many of us who looked up to bruised and belligerent skies swirling with ash and a drift of incinerated gum leaves had to wonder, ''is this what the future will be like''?

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Can Shorten calm the madding crowd again?

TONY WRIGHT It was just another night in a pub in the tough little town of Beaconsfield when things turned ugly. It was to become a peculiar test for a union chief named Bill Shorten.

It's time to honour fellow boat people

Arnold Zable On October 19, 2001, an unnamed fishing boat, now known as SIEV X, sank en route to Christmas Island. A total of 353 men, women and children lost their lives.

Labor's carbon tax bind: give in or die fighting

MARK KENNY Opinion She's offered it only within the confines of the government, but word is Peta Credlin has some advice for Labor leader Bill Shorten: take a deep breath, and turn your back on carbon pricing.

Shorten's challenge is to 'do a Whitlam'

John Cain The leadership ballot within Labor Party ranks has recently dominated the party, and so it should. As a long-time party member, I am sure members like the notion of being part of the process of choosing a leader.

Fixing the ALP doesn't start with shouting

MIKE CARLTON Opinion Graciously accepting the Labor leadership, former trade union boss Bill Shorten looked radiant in a tailored charcoal suit, crisp white shirt and a carefully knotted necktie of crushed mulberry.

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