Fifield says story of Abbott government downfall should be told

• Primrose Riordan

Coalition ministers and backbenchers have backed journalists seeking to provide a public record of the downfall of the Abbott government after the former Prime Minister accused an author of a new account of printing "scurrilous gossip".

Victors Trump and Cruz demand Rubio drop out

• John Kehoe

Ted Cruz claimed victories in two of four states against Republican front-runner Donald Trump in presidential nomination contests at the weekend, strengthening the maverick senator's claim that he is the party's only hope of beating the brash billionaire.

Ted Cruz wins Kansas caucuses

• Mark Niquette

Texas senator Ted Cruz defeated Donald Trump in the Kansas Republican caucuses on Saturday.

Queensland Nickel close to closure after feds turn down rescue

• Mark Ludlow

Clive Palmer's Queensland Nickel could close within days after federal Treasurer Scott Morrison ruled out providing any direct financial assistance to the Townsville refinery.

Trump's rise confounds GOP elite

• John Kehoe

Donald Trump's incredible surge has left traditional conservatives in a state of shock.

• Contains:
• Infographics

Donald Trump is a product of failings in Republican Party and US education system

• Anne Hyland

Anne-Marie Slaughter, a former US State Department director of policy planning, talks about America's presidential candidate Donald Trump and foreign policy.

PM puts Abbott on notice

• Phillip Coorey

Malcolm Turnbull says he'll continue to publicly pull Tony Abbott into line when he sees the need, as the former prime minister further stirred his colleagues on Friday.