Speaking truth to power is difficult enough. But as human rights lawyer Diana Sayed discovered on Q&A this week, when power plays the victim card it becomes practically impossible.
Good morning, early birds. Labor's new post-election frontbench has made its debut, and the government pushes Solomon Island investments in a bid to ward off China's Pacific growth. It's the news you need to know, with Rachel Withers.
Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd is adamant that criticising shadow ministers in private emails is a breach of the public service code of conduct. Which — oops — seems to be exactly what he did.
Penny Wong went wonderfully Stanley Kubrick to get an apology out of Michaelia Cash in Senate Estimates yesterday.
Missing public servants and emails in a quantum state of flux dominated the first day of estimates.
Our pick for best politicians of 2017 represent different aspects of what it means to be a good senator.
Can Yarra Council refuse to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day? ... Penny Wong meets B1 and B2 ... Rob Mitchell's (literal) tinfoil hat ...
If you wouldn’t uncritically air the views of anti-vaxxers or climate change conspiracists, you should avoid lending credibility to those who would demonise gays or reframe marriage equality as an attack on free speech.
The Senate has knocked off the government's renewed effort to pass a marriage equality plebiscite already, opening the way to a damaging and painful debate that will smear same-sex couples.
Good morning, early birds. Almost two dozen coal-loving MPs are threatening the PM over the Clean Energy Target, and it might be time to switch off Channel Ten. It's the news you need to know, by Cassidy Knowlton and Max Chalmers.