Hockey to cut $300 billion to reach target

MARK KENNY The Abbott government would have to take $300 billion out of commonwealth spending over the next ten years in order to achieve its target surplus of 1 per cent of GDP in 2023-24, analysis of figures released by Joe Hockey shows.

Comments 561

Carbon questions still unanswered

Lisa Cox and Mark Kenny Economists and environment groups have rounded on the Abbott government’s "direct action" climate change policy after key details of its centrepiece, an emissions reduction fund, were revealed on Thursday.

• Analysis: Coalition would prefer we ignored climate policy

PM's indigenous adviser calls for funding

SAFFRON HOWDEN Less than a month from the federal budget, one of Prime Minister Tony Abbott's Aboriginal affairs advisers has called for a doubling of the number of indigenous rangers working to protect almost 500 million hectares of land across the continent.

Abbott ally called as ICAC witness

Sean Nicholls, Kate McClymont A Liberal Party official linked to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Premier Mike Baird will give evidence at the Independent Commission Against Corruption's inquiry into alleged illegal donations starting on Monday.

Reduce costs of medical devices: insurers

DAN HARRISON The Abbott Government could save more than $1 billion over four years if Australian prices for medical devices were brought into line with those paid in other countries, private health insurers say.

Rudd, Garrett face inquiry next month

MATTHEW KNOTT Former prime minister Kevin Rudd and ex-Labor colleagues Peter Garrett and Greg Combet have been called to appear before the royal commission into their government's home insulation scheme next month.

Auditor-General slams Medicare handling

DAN HARRISON The Auditor-General has raised questions about the ability of the department responsible for Medicare to safeguard the integrity of the $19 billion program.

Cambodia asylum deal moves closer

SARAH WHYTE Australia is moving closer to a Cambodia solution as the Immigration Minister is pushing to expand his regional resettlement "club" despite poor social and economic conditions in the Pacific region.

Comments 157

• UN representatives criticise boat tow-back policy

Running costs double jets' price tag

DAVID WROE The cost of running the 58 Joint Strike Fighters announced by the Abbott government will double the price tag for the cutting-edge planes to a towering $24 billion, it was revealed on Wednesday.

Comments 153

• Lib MP attacks jets order as a 'dud' decision

Unis urge free market to dictate fees

MATTHEW KNOTT Australia's top universities are urging the Abbott government to embark on the biggest shake-up to university funding since the introduction of HECS by removing government caps on student fees.

Comments 43

Race-hate laws: maybe we don't need them

GAY ALCORN Keating's race hate reforms went too far in 1995. Brandis' amendments are just as bad.

Ddeaths at sea for annihilation on land

RICHARD ACKLAND With every passing day, news from the asylum seeker front line gets darker.

Comments 67

We're all in the waiting room on health

Stephen Leeder Since coming to power last year, the federal government has not offered the community a health policy or even a story about what it intends to do. Instead, we are saturated with pronouncements that healthcare as we know it is unsustainable.

Comments 30

The republic cause is receding

Nicholas Reece With the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge winding up their trip to our southern land it is time for a bit of straight talk amongst we Australians.

Time to consider US-style university system

Fred Hilmer The recent Facebook post by Education Minister Christopher Pyne querying whether Australia’s higher education system could include US-style colleges was interesting to say the least.

Comments 38

Time is almost up for Queen Elizabeth

PAUL SHEEHAN Once upon a time, during the visit of a new, young and good-looking Queen Elizabeth, it was estimated three-quarters of the Australian population went out to see her.

Comments 216