Latest In National
Politics
Hug the needy at Christmas, says PM
IT’S been a tough and gruelling year for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, but he says now is the time to share the love with the less fortunate.
Culleton turns on ‘judge Pauline’
SENATOR Rod Culleton has fired up over Pauline Hanson’s reaction to a Federal Court judge who declared him bankrupt today in dramatic scenes.
Abbott told to take a holiday
AFTER Tony Abbott blamed Malcolm Turnbull for not keeping the Liberal party together, a Howard government minister told him to take a holiday.
Government warned over ‘easy fix’
WITHOUT a curious accounting tweak, the Budget would not be returning to surplus for another ten years.
Turnbull’s Coalition under threat
THE Coalition is facing further destabilisation as controversial MPs Cory Bernardi and George Christensen have indicated they may leave.
Woollahra faces merger after court loss
WOOLLAHRA Council has spent nearly $800,000 in ratepayer cash fighting a merger and might spend more trying to overturn today’s second knock-back.
Pauline Hanson’s big power grab
PAULINE Hanson surprised voters with her Senate win this year, but the One Nation leader is set to grow even more powerful.
Trust in government at 50-year low
THE frustration Aussies feel with politics has been well-documented over the past few years, but a new study shows just how dire the situation is becoming.
Sco-Mo’s ‘zombie’ savings plan panned
TREASURER Scott Morrison faces a battle to lock in savings measures needed to secure a surplus in 2021, with his current plan described as “too narrow”.
Support surges for Australian republic
THE results from the latest poll into an Australian republic has revealed a record number of us want it.
Turnbull: Budget is a ‘moral issue’
MALCOLM Turnbull has issued an emotional challenge to Labor and other MPs to pass his budget measures amid pessimism about its path to surplus.
Key workers forced to sleep in cars
ESSENTIAL workers like police, nurses and teachers are increasingly unable to afford to live near work with some shift workers forced to couch surf or sleep in their car to cope.
Sales nails Morrison’s budget problem
IF SCOTT Morrison thought he would escape a Leigh Sales grilling on 7.30 last night, he was sadly mistaken. Instead he copped a roasting.
One Nation candidate may go it alone
UPDATE: The former One Nation candidate who quit less than 48 hours after his candidacy was officially announced is considering running as an independent at the state election.
Illegal election pamphlet case adjourned
EAST HILLS state independent MP Glenn Brookes has given evidence at the trial of his former campaign manager and ex-Bankstown councillor Jim Daniel before the case was adjourned until March 2017.
Culleton rejects court, One Nation claims
SENATOR Rod Culleton has stormed out of a court hearing and refuted Pauline Hanson’s claims he demanded One Nation support his legal fight.
What will a credit downgrade mean?
AUSTRALIA now looks certain to lose its prized triple-A credit rating following the latest budget blowout. Here’s what that will mean for you.
Yes, Sydney is ‘abysmally lame’
A NEW ad was supposed to attract people to Sydney but it’s more likely to drive everyone to its cooler cousin, Melbourne, instead.
Palmer: ‘Don’t go into politics’
CLIVE Palmer has revealed his thoughts about running for politics in Australia, and why he’d never do it again.
‘He does not have the guts to ring me’
PAULINE Hanson says she’s glad to see the back of Senator Rod Culleton, describing him as “ego-driven”, “demanding” and “over-the-top”.
Shorten keen for Australian republic
BILL Shorten has said Malcolm Turnbull has put an Australian republic in the too-hard basket but has offered to work with him to make it a reality.
Jamie Briggs has a new role
JAMIE Briggs, who resigned from the Turnbull ministry after a complaint about his behaviour in a Hong Kong bar, has a new role.
Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten pal it up
ONCE bitter enemies, Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten have shown a unity they never displayed back home, speaking as one over a relaxed lunch.
The odd Aussie MP running group
YOU wouldn’t expect to see them hitting the pavement but federal MPs from both sides of parliament have come together in Jerusalem.
Pauline’s plan to take Queensland
HER party’s popularity has hit double figures in Queensland, but the Federal Government insists it isn’t worried by Pauline Hanson or One Nation’s bid to take the Sunshine State.
Minister attacks fat jibes
DEFENCE Minister Marise Payne has fired up at rumours she’d had a nervous breakdown and was scared to go on television because she was too fat.
Dutton ‘wrong on refugees’: court
IMMIGRATION Minister Peter Dutton took too long in deciding citizenship applications of two former Afghan refugees, a Federal Court ruling has found.
Housing inquiry comes up empty
TOO bad if you were hoping the inquiry on housing affordability would come up with some answers. After almost two years and a 55-page report, no recommendations were made.
Can you answer these questions?
AUSTRALIAN school kids are struggling to answer simple maths questions like this. But since you’re an adult, surely you’re up to the task.
Kindy funding could be under threat
FEDERAL funding for kindergarten hours could be cut as part of an overhaul of education finances, state education ministers have warned.
Most pollies want an Aussie republic
NEW numbers show a majority of parliamentarians support the push for Australia to become a republic. But how would you vote?
Aussie MP endorses Punisher’s extreme tactics
A COALITION MP has thrown his support behind the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war calling for a round up of Aussie drug dealers.
Coalition MP hails brutal drugs war
A CONTROVERSIAL MP has called on Australia to follow the Philippines’ example of rounding up and executing criminals in a war on drugs.
8600 Aussie jobs lost every month
EMPLOYMENT minister Michaelia Cash says today’s employment figures are actually very positive, despite the jobless rate rising to 5.7 per cent in November.
Aussies must ‘rise up’ to defend Christmas
IMMIGRATION Minister Peter Dutton has called on Australians to defend Christmas traditions after hearing a school had stopped end-of-year carols.
‘The most serious corruption’
FORMER NSW Labor Minister Eddie Obeid will appeal a five year jail term. But Premier Mike Baird intends to deliver the one-time pollie another blow.
AAA call hinges on budget update
CREDIT rating agencies issued a warning months ago about our economy, and now Australia’s AAA rating could be gone by Christmas.
NBN cost blowout to impact budget
NEW analysis shows the National Broadband Network’s toll on the budget bottom line could run into the billions over the next decade.
Brandis appoints new solicitor-general
ATTORNEY-General George Brandis has appointed a top silk to take Justin Gleeson’s old job following his resignation over a legal stoush.
Jessica Rudd slams Tony Abbott
KEVIN Rudd’s daughter Jessica has joined a chorus of Australians firing back at Tony Abbott for suggesting welfare recipients might be suffering “a bit of depression”.
Ministers clash over energy policy
JOSH Frydenberg has taken a swipe at Jay Weatherill, saying a lecture from the SA Premier on energy was like being taught how to talk by Marcel Marceau.
Concerns over bottlos staying open later
PEOPLE in NSW will be able to buy alcohol from bottle shops after 10pm from Friday, but health experts say it could lead to trouble.
‘Democracy sausage’ voted word of 2016
‘Democracy sausage’ has been named as the word of the year, beating out some other favourites that rocketed to popularity in 2016.
Bishop quashes reshuffle talk
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has brushed off rumours of a new portfolio amid talk about a wider cabinet reshuffle.
‘Black’ $100 note could be history
THE Turnbull government wants to take the $100 note out of circulation — but a poll of readers shows strong support for our largest banknote.
Parties fight for the battler vote
PAULINE Hanson is working to make One Nation stronger next year but the Turnbull Government has plans of its own to win over the disaffected voter.
Bishop: US to accept refugee deal
JULIE Bishop has said the Government expects Donald Trump to back Australia’s refugee deal as reports of “secret” talks surfaced.
Hanson’s beef with Andrew O’Keefe
PAULINE Hanson has taken aim at Weekend Sunrise co-host Andrew O’Keefe, claiming she won’t go on any of his shows and he is “unwatchable”.
Palmer explains huge weight loss
CLIVE Palmer has been larger than life but the mining magnate and former pollie is showing off a slimmed down figure.
‘Scumbag’ dole bludgers lashed
A RECRUITER says she’s heard every excuse in the book and some people don’t have jobs because they don’t want them.
Shorten takes secret overseas trip
THE Federal Opposition Leader has made a surprise pre-Christmas visit to lift the spirits of these very important Australians.
Turnbull pokes his chin out again
THE Prime Minister’s speech on whether Australia should become a republic is being seen as yet another crucial test of his leadership.
Scott Morrison put on notice
CREDIT ratings agencies have warned Treasurer Scott Morrison they won’t accept unrealistic forecasts in next week’s budget update.
PM warned over republic talk
MALCOLM Turnbull is set to address calls for Australia to become a republic but monarchists warn any breakaway talk could cost him votes.
Why ‘dole bludgers’ reject jobs
IT’S very easy to bash “dole bludgers”, but there’s a reason why 35,000 welfare recipients have turned down work.
Brandis flies into a storm of questions
EMBATTLED Attorney-General George Brandis has returned from a week in Europe to a barrage of questions about the Bell Group and his rumoured next job.
Hanson: ‘We’ve been taken for fools’
PAULINE Hanson says major political players are “too gutless” to sort out Centrelink’s Islam polygamy scandal and Australians were being “taken for fools”.
Triggs: Race laws should be tighter
HUMAN Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs has said Australia’s racial discrimination laws should be “strengthened”, not watered down.
‘Australia has its own little Trump’
THE New York Times has launched a blistering attack on one of Australia’s most controversial policies - and singled out our “own little Trump”.
Minister blasted for ‘callous’ comments
FINANCE MINISTER Mathias Cormann is under fire for “callous” comments about the economic impact of paid leave for domestic violence victims.
Turnbull faces supersized union
DESPITE its recent industrial relations law wins, the Turnbull Government is facing an even stronger union movement next year.
Cormann rejects recession talk
THE Finance Minister has rejected claims that we are heading for recesion, saying the forecast for a Budget surplus is still standing.
Is Australia headed for recession?
FINANCE Minister Mathias Cormann has rejected the claims after it emerged that the economy saw its first decline since March 2011 in the September quarter.
Labor premiers stall Turnbull’s plans
MALCOLM Turnbull issued a warning to the state premiers, saying without serious reforms Australians’ living standards are at risk.
Higher power bills are ‘inevitable’
NO ONE wants to pay more for electricity but it looks like we will be facing higher prices no matter what pollies say.
Port Arthur dad’s warning to Turnbull
WALTER Mikac has given a haunting warning to the PM and premiers over the decision they are due to make today about the controversial Adler shotgun.
Train delays ‘not good enough’
MORNING train commuters will be refunded the cost of their tickets, after major delays left peak hour travellers stranded.
Turnbull won’t back burqa ban
MALCOLM Turnbull has said he would not back a burqa ban, despite Pauline Hanson’s vow to fight for one next year after Germany announced its plans.
‘An extra 30 minutes? What a joke’
NSW Premier Mike Baird’s changes to the lockout laws have been blasted as “a joke” that will do nothing to save Sydney’s night life.
Premiers set to fire up over energy
MALCOLM Turnbull has slapped down Jay Weatherill’s suggestion for a state-based carbon scheme, setting the scene for a fiery COAG meeting tomorrow.
Economic backslide a ’bump in the road’
AUSTRALIA has just had its worst three months of economic growth in eight years but Malcolm Turnbull said there’s nothing to fear.
Pay calculator: Your salary vs your MP’s
WHO do you think is working harder, you or the politicians your tax dollars are funding? Wonder no longer. This tool lets you compare salaries.
Why disaster is actually a good thing
AUSTRALIA posted its worst economic performance since the Global Financial Crisis yesterday, but there are some crucial things the numbers hide.
Bernardi’s wish after carbon tax backflip
BARNABY Joyce is toeing the Prime Minister’s line that there will be no carbon tax, but controversial Senator Cory Bernardi has another climate change wish.
Culleton declares: ‘I’ve already won’
ONE Nation Senator Rod Culleton has claimed that no matter what happens with his High Court hearing over his eligibility for the Senate, he has already won.
Hanson slams ‘rude’ Waleed
PAULINE Hanson has joined multi-millionaire Dick Smith in criticising The Project host Waleed Aly after a fiery interview last night.
PM forced to clean up his own mess
A HANDSHAKE with the PM gone wrong resulted in a floor covered in espresso this morning. You have to feel for the bloke who caused it.
Malcolm Turnbull’s humiliating backdown
THE backflips from the Turnbull Government just keep racking up. Another of the government’s thought bubbles has officially burst.
One Nation ‘now mainstream’: Costello
FORMER Howard government treasurer Peter Costello has given a scathing appraisal of the government’s performance in Parliament on ABC’s 7.30.
Culleton fires back at Hanson
ONE Nation senator Rod Culleton has said he expected more from Pauline Hanson, as he remains tight-lipped about his future in the party.
Dick Smith backs Pauline: ‘We agree’
MULTI-millionaire Dick Smith has warned Australia will be “destroyed” if his new political ally Pauline Hanson’s policies aren’t taken seriously.
Freo council’s Aust Day smackdown
THE Federal Government has banned the City of Fremantle from holding citizenship ceremonies on its alternative Australia Day.
PM backflips on carbon tax
MALCOLM Turnbull has backflipped on his old stance on carbon pricing after facing a backlash from his own party over a climate change review.
Voter support for Turnbull hits new low
VOTER support for Malcolm Turnbull has fallen to its lowest level since he seized power, the latest Newspoll shows.
Council to lobby against rat racing
MOTORISTS dodging tolls on WestConnex could turn residential streets into a “rat run”, but the State Government has no plans to fix the problem until after the project opens to traffic.
Alternative Australia Day event banned
A LOCAL council has been banned from moving its usual Australia Day citizenship ceremonies to another day after the government intervened.
Abbott slams PM: ‘Hardly a smart move’
FORMER prime minister Tony Abbott does not support Malcolm Turnbull’s latest decision, saying it’s hardly a smart move.
Gender audits for public sector
GENDER audits in government and public sector workplaces will be undertaken as the Victorian Government launched its first Gender Equality Strategy.
Protesters to target PM’s coal meeting
PROTESTERS will rally against a proposed mega coal mine in Queensland as Malcolm Turnbull meets the mining group’s boss in Melbourne today.
Abbott’s ‘green army’ plan faces axe
A MAJOR review of Australia’s climate change policies will look at a form of carbon pricing, while Tony Abbott’s ‘green army’ plan is set to be axed.
Losing triple-A rating ‘inevitable’
FORMER Liberal leader John Hewson has dealt the Turnbull government a serious blow, saying “it’s just a matter of timing” as to when Australia loses its triple-A credit rating.
Parliament protesters may be charged
PROTESTERS who shut down Question Time this week and abseiled the face of Parliament House could still be charged, but an expert warns a crackdown will only alienate the public.
One Nation at war with itself
SENATOR Rod Culleton has signalled a possible split with One Nation after a tiff with Pauline Hanson over the backpacker tax.
New laws keep terrorists in jail
CONVICTED terrorists will be kept in jail once their sentence expires if they are still considered a threat, under new laws passed last night.
Hanson ‘so angry’ with One Nation senator
LOOK out, Rod Culleton. Senator Pauline Hanson has vented her fury at the One Nation senator for crossing the floor over the backpacker tax.
Malcolm Turnbull limps to the finish line
MALCOLM Turnbull really needs a holiday. The PM managed to scrape by with a narrow, last gasp win yesterday, but his year was anything but a success.
‘I don’t think I’ll face Turnbull’
LABOR leader Bill Shorten says the Coalition will likely ditch Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull before the next election.
Odds Shorten on a new Lib leader
BILL Shorten has told ABC’S 7.30 the Coalition will likely ditch Malcolm Turnbull before the next election just hours after a feel-good Christmas message to the PM.
Backpacker tax passes the Senate
THE 15 per cent backpacker tax has cleared its final hurdle in an 11th hour deal, passing the Senate after the Greens agreed to support the hotly debated bill.
‘I’m speechless, it doesn’t just disappear’
EXCLUSIVE: A MOTHER of a Down syndrome child has hit out at a bureaucrat who refused to answer a crucial question during an inquiry.
