Political News
MH17 crash: Russia furious at 'unacceptable' Tony Abbott comments
MARK KENNY Moscow has voiced anger over being blamed by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the downing of a Malaysia passenger jet over eastern Ukraine that killed all 298 people on board, calling his comments "unacceptable".
Senate digs in its heels on mining tax
Mark Kenny James Massola Tony Abbott's tax-removal scorecard is locked at a frustrating one-one draw after the government's successful repeal of the carbon tax on Thursday was followed by the failure to axe the mining tax on Friday.
Tony Abbott criticises Russia's response to MH17 tragedy as 'deeply unsatisfactory'
MATTHEW KNOTT 7:30pm Prime Minister Tony Abbott has delivered a blunt warning to Russia it will be shunned by the international community unless it accepts some responsibility for the Malaysia airlines flight MH17 crash and backs a fully transparent international investigation into the tragedy.
The mining tax is dead already
MALCOLM MAIDEN 1:22am Even if it is not repealed, the mining tax is dead in the water.
Mining tax survives after Senate rejects government plan to axe Schoolkids Bonus
LISA COX 3:09pm The Abbott government has been dealt a major blow after the repeal of the mining tax was defeated in the Senate.
Al Gore, EU climate chief Connie Hedegaard regret carbon price repeal
PETER HANNAM Al Gore says the Abbott government’s repeal of the carbon tax is “a disappointing step" that will leave Australia falling behind other rich nations in reducing emissions.
Governments have run out of money to fund infrastructure, says Joe Hockey
Treasurer Joe Hockey says governments are out of money and can only fund vital infrastructure with funds from the private sector.
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17: 'Terrible tragedy', Tony Abbott offers condolences to families for what would be 'unspeakable crime'
Lisa Cox, Matthew Knott Australia will call in the Russian ambassador to discuss the investigation into the downing of Malaysia flight MH17, as Prime Minister Tony Abbott says it appears Russian-backed rebels are responsible for shooting down the commercial flight over eastern Ukraine.
First Australian suicide bomber in Iraq reportedly kills three people in Baghdad
DAVID WROE The first Australian suicide bomber in Iraq reportedly killed three people in the heart of Baghdad on Thursday, raising the involvement of local jihadists in the spiralling violence to a chilling new level.
Islamic extremist Musa Cerantonio to walk free after deportation from Philippines
LINDSAY MURDOCH Philippine authorities are treating Australian religious extremist Musa Cerantonio as a 'high-risk and high-value' prisoner, but he is set to walk free after his imminent deportation to Melbourne.
Three-way military drill a road map to survival
DAVID WROE Australia will host the first three-way joint military exercises with China and the US in a move to deepen defence ties that appears to offset concerns that relations with Beijing were on shaky ground.
Fate of group held on ship back before court
SARAH WHYTE The High Court challenge on behalf of more than 150 asylum seekers being held on an Australian customs ship on the high seas will resume on Friday.
Heaven forbid - it's as if Abbott and his cohort were blessed
Jacqueline Maley It will go down in Canberran folklore as a myth, but it most certainly happened.
Victory laps as environmental future enters a policy hollow
Comment Mark Kenny The imaginary banner behind Tony Abbott might have read ''Emission accomplished!'', such was his obvious delight as he strode to the lectern on Thursday.
Emission accomplished as carbon tax ditched
Mark Kenny and Lisa Cox Tony Abbott has boldly declared his government 'conservationist' while delivering the biggest win of his prime ministership with the successful repeal of the carbon tax.
Senate attempt to repeal mining tax but keep compensation set to fail
JAMES MASSOLA Government signals it will block the amended bill, saying it punches a $10 billion hole in the budget.
Coalition will work with any party to pass laws: Tony Abbott
JAMES MASSOLA Tony Abbott says the Coalition will work with any political party to pass laws through the Parliament, as he brushed aside suggestions his government broke pre-election promises not to raise taxes.
Carbon emission challenge will not go away
PETER HANNAM The demise of the carbon price closes one chapter in the tortured tale of Australia’s climate change policy. But the story is far from over.
Senate blows a $3.5b hole in government's asset recycling plan
MATTHEW KNOTT One of the centrepieces of the Abbott government's budget – a new $6 billion fund to encourage state governments to privatise their assets – was gutted by 60 per cent by the Senate.
Businesses warn over carbon tax savings
Beau Donelly Businesses that welcomed Tony Abbott during his long-running campaign against the carbon price have celebrated its repeal, but said savings would not be able to be passed on to consumers in full.
