A statement from the Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the death of Hazel Hawke.
Air safety body slammed over air ambulance crash investigation
The country's air-safety investigation bureau has been castigated in its handling of an inquiry into the ditching of an air-ambulance plane in the sea off Norfolk Island in November 2009.
Senator gives away $50,000 pay increase
Democratic Labor Party senator John Madigan will give away his parliamentary pay increase to provide training equipment to school students.
PM drops down global list of powerful women
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has been named in a list of the most powerful women in the world, behind German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Beyonce but in front of Queen Elizabeth and actress Angelina Jolie.
Australia fails asylum seekers, says Amnesty
Australia has ''failed abysmally'' to protect asylum seekers, argues Amnesty International's annual report, released on Thursday morning.
ASIO backs down on threat ruling
A refugee widow and her six-year-old son will taste freedom in Australia after ASIO dramatically reversed an assessment she posed a threat to national security.
Man acquitted of people smuggling charges
He helped sail a leaky fishing boat packed with 97 asylum seekers to Christmas Island but a court found he had no idea where the boat was going.
Hospitals fail infection benchmark: report
Two Victorian hospitals have failed to meet a national infection control benchmark, according to data to be released on Thursday.
Private teachers confused by Gonski
Private teachers are confused about how Julia Gillard's signature education reforms will affect their schools, prompting a key union to demand the government spell out clear, transparent information.
Childcare, schools lead rise in cost of raising children
The cost of raising children has risen 50 per cent in the past five years with a middle-income family now spending $812,000 on two children, new modelling shows.