Federal Politics

Hewson slams Dutton over Fraser criticism

Peter Dutton said Malcolm Fraser made mistakes bringing some people to Australia in the 1970s.

Former Liberal leader John Hewson has accused the Coalition of "cheap political arse-covering" over attempts to link Malcolm Fraser's 1970s immigration policies to gang activity and Islamic radicalisation.

Australia responsible for damage to offshore detainees: UN report

The detention centre on Nauru.

Australia is responsible for the "damage" inflicted on asylum seekers and refugees in offshore detention, with the "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" resulting from its "punitive" attitude towards boat arrivals, according to a United Nations investigation.

Shorten claim of a million foreign workers questioned

Bill Shorten has announced a proposed crackdown on 457 visas for foreign workers.

After a week of rhetoric from Bill Shorten about the need to protect Australian jobs, he Opposition Leader has criticised Malcolm Turnbull and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton over the number of foreigners allowed into Australia with work rights.

'Priority' tax cuts set to go on hold over summer

"It is vital that we get this right": Treasurer Scott Morrison.

The Turnbull government's plan to cut company taxes is set to be delayed until 2017, with a pair of union busting bills, backpacker tax and superannuation changes to take centre stage in the final two weeks of parliament.

Turnbull champions free trade before APEC meeting

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull delivered a strident defence of free trade.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the world must embrace free trade, not retreat from it, in a major economic speech that sharply contrasts with the more isolationist rhetoric of US president-elect Donald Trump.

Doubts over sexual abuse compensation plan as states stall

Religious organisations do pay tax where appropriate.

A national plan to compensate victims of institutional child sexual abuse looks to be in doubt as states and territories withheld their support for the Turnbull government plan, raising questions about the efficacy of an opt-in national redress system.