137 Results

The reality away from corporate spin is a simmering conflict.

How will the Australia Network fit with the ABC charter, and in particular the public broadcaster’s independence from the government of the day?

The Australia Network is a waste of money, but apparently capable of making politicians lose all reason.

The Howard Government managed to let the Australia Network process go unmolested. But Labor ministers couldn’t help themselves.

Wikileaks’s latest cables offer a particularly revealing insight into the way Alexander Downer and some of his officals conducted themselves when he was Foreign Minister.

If you ever wanted a demonstration of the chaotic nature of the Liberal Party’s factional landscape, the fight for the federal presidency should do it.

A weekend WikiLeaks cable has shown that in 2006 the US pressured Australia and New Zealand to “not rush” full sanctions on Fiji’s newly installed dictator Frank Bainimarama’s regime, for fear of undermining the war effort in Iraq, writes Luke Miller.

Not many people go to Nauru unless they absolutely have to, writes Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet.

This will not be end of Kevin Rudd’s starring role in the WikiLeaks Canberra cables, writes Luke Miller.

It was fabulous to see Peter Reith emerge yesterday from whatever dark cupboard he’s been hiding in since 2001 to come out and call for a new IR reform agenda. Indeed, the whole band was back together for John Howard’s book launch, says Margot Saville.

Let’s face it: the Taliban is a strong part of the political environment in Afghanistan and therefore we must engage with them to achieve stability. It’s just like how peace only arrived in Northern Ireland once the IRA joined the negotiation process, says former foreign minister Alexander Downer.

The government’s decision to publicly criticise Israel for the “abuse and counterfeiting” of Australian passports is not about Israel. It’s about the way civilised governments treat each other.

Rudd continually stuffed up his green credentials and now the public tide of opinion is turning against him and even Labor insiders agree, writes Alexander Downer.

Peter Garrett is responsible for four deaths, but PM Rudd will protect him out of fear of Tony Abbott. This despite Rudd calling for Alexander Downer’s blood for a lesser incident, recalls Glenn Milne.

Recently, ex-foreign minister Alexander Downer blasted the government’s relationship with China, leaving MP Michael Danby none too happy about the criticism. China is more aggressive and friends with the most oppressive nations in the world now. Patronising advice by old timers isn’t needed, says Danby.

Residents need to stop thinking that the State Government can solve their problems, writes Alexander Downer. State governments do not have the resources, therefore it’s up to locals to take action with issues like water.

Alexander Downer is loving the schadenfreude of seeing Kevin Rudd battle Indonesia over asylum seekers. He should have learnt from Tampa that negotiating with Indonesia on refugees is never a good idea.

“It’s almost certainly all over for Malcolm Turnbull”, writes Michelle Grattan. Joe Hockey seems the obvious replacement leader, but will he be any different than Turnbull?

Ex PM John Howard rewrote history with the claims of his and Downer’s secret support of East Timor’s independence, says Bruce Haigh. What about public opinion and the actions of the US?

How involved and aware were Australian authorities in the torture of terror suspect Mamdouh Habib? If Habib is permitted to fight for compensation, then the details of Australia’s actions may finally see the light of day.