Political news
Taxpayers to foot the bill for Bronwyn Bishop's official portrait
Adam Gartrell 12:00 PM Bronwyn Bishop's political career could be dead but her steely gaze will live on forever in the halls of Parliament House.
Donors tapped to buy senator a home
![Senator Arthur Sinodinos outside Parliament House in Canberra.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/r/3/h/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnraih.png/1458953792496.jpg)
Kate McClymont 12:35 AM Key Liberal fundraisers sounded out major donors to the party to chip in for a house for Arthur Sinodinos.
Tony Abbott highlights meeting with David Cameron
![Tony Abbott meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/q/t/h/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqt5y.png/1458913403056.jpg)
Latika Bourke 11:34 PM Tony Abbott has touted a meeting with the British Minister David Cameron on Twitter during his trip to the United Kingdom, the latest meeting with a world leader publicised by Abbott since being ousted as Prime Minister.
No fresh set of eyes for small business, advisers say
![a](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/x/i/m/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqzm8.png/1458947427146.jpg)
Nassim Khadem 12:15 AM When it comes to the way the Australian Taxation Office deals with small business taxpayers, its approach has been criticised.
Taxman Chris Jordan makes his mark
![Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan is perceived, by some, to push the envelope.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/r/8/z/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqxet.png/1458947317141.jpg)
Nassim Khadem 12:15 AM Chris Jordan has trekked some big mountains, but none of them challenged him like the ATO did.
Vengeful micro parties go after Joyce's scalp
![Preference whisperer Glenn Druery.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/r/c/6/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqzwr.png/1458912979867.jpg)
Damien Murphy 11:45 PM The Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is to be targeted by "far right wing" micro parties directing preferences against him in the seat of New England, according to the preference expert Glenn Druery.
PM could save $350m by scrapping taxpayer support for religion
![The Parliamentary Budget Office was asked by crossbench senator David Leyonhjelm to look at the potential savings if the ...](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/z/s/e/y/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqxj5.png/1458913459435.jpg)
Adam Gartrell 8:20 PM The Turnbull government could improve the budget bottom line by $350 million by scrapping taxpayer support for religious organisations.
Four LNP candidates in the battle for Brisbane
![Dr Edward Fraser has put himself forward for pre-selection for the federal seat of Brisbane.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/r/7/m/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnr7lg.png/1458887687167.jpg)
Nathanael Cooper 5:34 PM Four very different candidates have put their hand up for pre-selection in the federal seat of Brisbane but LNP sources say one is a clear leader.
Labor to start health attack in Turnbull's electorate
![Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/9/t/z/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnr1f2.png/1458888248465.jpg)
Jane Lee 12:01 AM Labor will kick off its attack against the Coalition's cuts to health this weekend at a health clinic for homeless people, which is set to close in Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's electorate.
We need 'ongoing' money to fight multinationals: Jordan
![Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan hopes funding to fight corporate tax avoidance and other key programs can continue.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/x/k/8/y/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqzzr.png/1458947477647.jpg)
Nassim Khadem 12:15 AM Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan hopes the May federal budget will include more money to fight multinational profit shifting.
Submarine makers vie to impress Australia in underwater arms race
![HMAS Collins (foreground) in formation with HMAS Waller (left) and HMAS Rankin in Cockburn Sound.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/5/7/v/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqjwv.png/1458898069194.jpg)
David Wroe 4:37 PM Why does Australia need $50 billion worth of new submarines?
Melbourne booms as locals leave Sydney
![Melbourne is clearly Australia's fastest-growing city and will overtake Sydney as the nation's largest by 2056.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/p/r/y/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqfd2.png/1458878830410.jpg)
Peter Martin 3:07 PM Melbourne has consolidated its position as Australia's fastest-growing city, gaining an extra 95,600 residents in a year in which Sydney gained only 84,200.
Jones and Turnbull clash in Lateline interview
![Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Jones face-off](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/q/t/1/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqsjv.png/1458902185771.jpg)
Aisha Dow 2:03 PM Malcolm Turnbull says voters are not interested in leadership tensions.
Wind farm commissioner insists he's providing good value for taxpayers
![The national wind farm commissioner, Andrew Dyer.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/n/1/e/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnl6du.png/1458862405488.jpg)
Tom Arup Australia's wind farm commissioner insists taxpayers are getting good value for money out of his $200,000 a year salary.
Poll shows just 3% of voters support likely budget centrepiece
![Treasurer Scott Morrison might have a tough time selling a cut to the company tax rate.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/k/f/o/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnq4t5.png/1458829138259.jpg)
Michael Koziol Devastating poll that will put further pressure on the Coalition's pre-budget planning.
Belgian envoy decries Malcolm Turnbull's 'dangerous' comments on Brussels bombings
![Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warned in a speech on Wednesday that Europe faces a "perfect storm".](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/n/4/r/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqqhz.png/1458818750522.jpg)
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's linking of the European refugee crisis with the Brussels bombings is dangerous, the Belgian ambassador says.
Liberal donations scandal highlights ICAC's important work
![Funding scandal: Cabinet secretary Arthur Sinodinos.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/q/t/s/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqer9.png/1458811794667.jpg)
Michaela Whitbourn The ICAC exposed donations irregularities striking at the heart of our democracy.
Reliance on mental health drugs in remote areas
![Psychiatrists and psychologists in major cities tend towards counselling mental health patients but remote areas see ...](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/h/e/q/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqkvs.png/1458803524623.jpg)
Jane Lee People living in disadvantaged or remote areas are more likely to rely on medication to treat their mental health problems because they have less access to psychiatric treatment than people in cities, experts say.
Up to $15,000 loaned out to Australian travellers
![On the spot loans are available for Australian travellers to replace a missing passport.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/x/0/4/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnq4ee.png/1458876398376.jpg)
Nicole Hasham Australians travelling in Thailand, Indonesia and Italy are the most likely to run into financial strife and call on taxpayers at home to bail them out – but some loans are never repaid, new data shows.
Labor calls for Sinodinos to stand aside
![Cabinet secretary Arthur Sinodinos](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/n/y/v/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnpyt1.png/1458790932612.jpg)
Michael Koziol Labor has called on the Turnbull government's cabinet secretary Arthur Sinodinos to stand aside following the "extraordinary finding" of the NSW Electoral Commission on illegal donations to the NSW Liberal Party.
Challenge to Senate changes based on 'hopeless' grounds
![Senator Bob Day](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/c/0/8/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnpo0q.png/1458794384732.jpg)
Michaela Whitbourn A High Court challenge to Senate voting changes is based on "hopeless" or "weak" grounds, the federal government's top lawyer has said.
MPs caught short over campaign costs
![Senator Nick Xenophon says rules need to be tightened to stop politicians campaigning for their own re-election at the ...](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/o/p/0/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnpcs4.png/1458770799718.jpg)
Stephanie Peatling We are not only in the midst of the longest election campaign but possibly the most expensive.
PM warns of Europe's perfect storm
![Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says 'failed and neglected integration' had fuelled a terrorism 'perfect storm' in Europe.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/n/0/w/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnpro1.png/1458772896148.jpg)
Mark Kenny, David Wroe European authorities have lost control of their own security in a perfect storm of poorly integrated Muslim communities, and an inability to know who is within its borders, Malcolm Turnbull has declared, delivering a dire prognosis of the acute threat facing the continent.
Canberrans 'dislike construction unions': Lib polling
![The CFMEU's ACT secretary, Dean Hall.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/l/u/m/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnoae7.png/1458731909922.jpg)
Markus Mannheim Survey coincides with Turnbull's attempt to capitalise on anti-union sentiment.
Plenty sleight of hand in Malcolm Turnbull's clean power play
![The government has announced a new clean energy innovation fund, but will cut money for renewable energy elsewhere.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/l/i/g/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnpn7j.png/1458774712645.jpg)
Tom Arup Whatever they are paying the spinners in the Turnbull government it is not enough.
Politician 'entitlements' should be renamed 'work expenses', review finds
![Claimed $5000 in travel expenses: Minister Christopher Pyne during question time at Parliament House in Canberra.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/6/b/m/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnp6qv.png/1458735100432.jpg)
Michael Koziol Report says the current system is too ambiguous, lacks transparency and has undermined public confidence.
EXCLUSIVE
States buckle on federal schools funding cuts
![NSW Premier Mike Baird has flagged the four-year spread of payments in public comments.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/n/a/j/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnpeew.png/1458723491167.jpg)
Mark Kenny NSW Premier Mike Baird is proceeding with a new compromise deal which would spread out the final two years of Gonski funding over four years.
Chopping block recommended for one of the classic pollie perks
![Review into parliamentary entitlements triggered following the Bronwyn Bishop helicopter scandal.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/c/8/e/1/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnp6lh.png/1458729537539.jpg)
Judith Ireland One of the most treasured pollie perks could be on the chopping block.
'Politics not economics' holds key to HECS-from-dead plan
![Professor Bruce Chapman says politics will win the HECS-from-the-dead argument.](/web/20160326025948im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/x/e/q/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnpj8b.png/1458715596934.jpg)
Matthew Knott Collecting student debts from the dead would not put people off university study, but any revenue gains could be undermined by creative estate planning, the architect of the HECS repayment system says.