Michelle Grattan

“There are literally tens of thousands of victims [of the banking sector], if not more...This string of scandals has to stop.”

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will launch a campaign to exploit Malcolm Turnbull’s suggestion that it would be logical for state governments to take over full funding responsibility for government schools.

The federal government has fallen behind Labor in Newspoll for the first time under Malcolm Turnbull, with Labor now leading 51-49% on a two-party basis.

A critical look at how key members of the government and the opposition have performed politically and on important policy issues.

"Cutting income company taxes also has good effects – it can encourage investment, it can encourage higher productivity, it can encourage more investment from overseas."

Violent Islamist extremism appears to have reached a crisis point in Europe with a “perfect storm” of circumstances, Malcolm Turnbull has said.

The new test would change the law so it only has to be shown that the effect, rather than the purpose, of a corporation’s decision would be to substantially lessen competition.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham has flagged that the government is still committed to reconsidering the balance between what students and government pay for higher education.

A spokeswoman said the government was “committed to a plebiscite as soon as possible after the election. The timing is dependent on the election timing.”

PM Malcolm Turnbull told parliament that “increasing capital gains tax is no part of our thinking whatsoever”. But his office later said he was referring to Labor's proposal to halve the capital gains tax discount from 50% to 25%.

Morrison has agreed to the acquisition of the land and assets of the Tasmanian Land Company (TLC) to Chinese-owned Moon Lake Investments.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull questioned whether the benefits of increasing the GST would be worth the difficulties of doing so.

Labor government would crack down on employers who exploit workers, with the introduction of harsher penalties and other measures, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has promised.

Australia should not be complacent about maintaining its top credit rating, which depends on achieving budget repair and a more diverse economy, Treasury secretary John Fraser has said.

Malcolm Turnbull has directly lobbied US legislators to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, which he describes as “a very critical part of America’s continued presence in the Asia-Pacific”

An Amnesty International investigation has uncovered Australian officials may have paid money to the crew of a boat intercepted in July 2015.

The downing of MH17 in July 2014 involved much Australian activity on the UN Security Council – which Bishop spearheaded, winning widespread praise. At home, Hockey was digging his political grave.