Good morning, early birds. Chinese officials reportedly targeted Australian residents over a secret investigation into Chinese influence in Australia, and the Coalition and Labor each enjoy a bump in the polls. It's the news you need to know, with Chris Woods.
Behind the Department of Home Affairs' shadowy facade is a shambolic bureaucracy which refuses to learn from its past scandals.
According to tipsters, things are grim indeed at Mike Pezzullo's Home Affairs, where wearing polka dots or meeting with friends might get you a citation.
The Home Affairs (née Immigration and Border Protection) Secretary has launched a 1900-word rant on his "philosophy" at his senior staff, mixing absurdities with a treasure trove of bureaucratic cliches.
Looking past the shiny and obvious, this week's Senate estimates hearings were full of newsworthy comments.
The troubled Department of Immigration may prefer to ignore staff anger at its executive rather than deal with it, Crikey has been told.
There is no area where the Department of Immigration doesn't stuff up. Not even its own accommodation.
The government claims the 457 visa program has "lost credibility". Which prompts the question -- who is to blame? The same department that has screwed up so many other things.
Well before Turnbull became PM, Labor toyed with the idea of an Australian equivalent of the Department of Homeland Security for years -- as far back as Mark Latham's time.
LGBTI refugees should be sent to another country by PNG, says the head of Immigration, but it's nothing to do with Australia. And the real victims of offshore processing are bureaucrats hurt by criticism.