Zaky Mallah’s inclusion on Q&A has received high criticism from members of the government. ABC

Mallah caught the ABC bus to Q&A

Zaky Mallah, the former terrorism suspect at the centre of the Q&A storm, travelled to the studio in a free bus the program puts on to take audience members from Sydney’s western suburbs
Bill Shorten is grappling simultaneously with two issues that have the potential to inflict serious damage on him and the opposition. AAP/Mick Tsikas

Government’s citizenship changes target members of listed terrorist organisations

When Bill Shorten was asked by the Royal Commission into union corruption to appear before it, he said he wouldn’t be commenting on allegations about his time as an Australian Workers Union official until he gave evidence.
Pope Francis has made a strong call to action on climate change. AAP/Fabrizio Belluschi

Abbott has papal disconnect on fossil fuels, renewables

Tony Abbott gets some lucky breaks. Imagine if Pope Francis had issued [this week’s encyclical - with its clarion call for the world to address climate change - last year in the run up to the G20 hosted by Australia.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten was forced to ask for his testimony to the royal commission on union corruption to be brought forward in the wake of media stories about union deals. AAP/Mick Tsikas

Grattan on Friday: Bill Shorten’s purgatory puts Labor into limbo

Bill Shorten’s July 8 appearance before the royal commission into union corruption is crucial for his credibility and has major implications for his leadership.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has sought an early appearance at the royal commission. AAP/Mick Tsikas

Shorten seeks to fast‑track union royal commission appearance

In an effort to deal with the political fallout of his union past, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has asked the royal commission into union corruption to bring forward his appearance to July.
Tony Abbott: ‘We can encourage jobs and tackle the costs of living far away from major cities’. AAP/Lukas Coch

Abbott to announce boost for the north

A 20-year roadmap to boost northern Australia’s development and investment will be unveiled by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Recent attacks by Peter Dutton on Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young have gone well beyond legitimate tough criticism – they’ve been abusive. AAP/Dave Hunt

Politicians put forward their worst sides

In the latest Essential poll, just 11% have some or a lot of trust in politicians and 49% have no trust. Not a surprising result perhaps. What is surprising is that politicians don’t seem much worried…
Julie Bishop: ‘The best way for Indonesia to resolve any concerns it has about Operation Sovereign Borders is for Indonesia to enforce sovereignty over its borders’. AAP/Paul Miller

Catch him if you can: Abbott digs in against questions at home and abroad

The government has admitted that it will do whatever it takes to keep the boats stopped and, it seems, if that takes slapping the Indonesians around a bit, it doesn’t seem too concerned. As senior Indonesian…
Tony Abbott highlighted the importance of Indonesia knowing that the Australian government is ‘absolutely resolute’ on stopping the boats. AAP/Tracey Nearmy

Abbott gives no ground to Indonesia in bribe allegation row

The government goes into the parliamentary session’s final fortnight on the back foot over two highly contentious issues: its citizenship legislation and Indonesia’s demand to know whether Australia paid…
Labor leader Bill Shorten will appear before the royal commission into trade union governance and corruption. AAP/Mick Tsikas

Royal commission into union corruption will grill Shorten

Bill Shorten will give evidence at the royal commission into union corruption, which is probing the conduct of the Australian Workers Union, of which he is a former Victorian and national secretary.
Tony Abbott wouldn’t say whether ‘by hook or by crook’ included paying thousands of dollars to turn back a recent boat bound for New Zealand. AAP/David Moir

Abbott won’t say whether Australia paid people smugglers to turn boat around

Tony Abbott declared on Friday that Australia stopped the people smuggling boats “by hook or by crook”. What Abbott wouldn’t say is whether “by hook or by crook” included paying thousands of dollars to…
Tony Abbott said Australia was talking with our friends and partners about ‘how the Iraqi forces might be better helped’. AAP/Dean Lewins

Government wants improvement in use of its Iraq contribution

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has flagged that Australia would like to see its substantial military contribution to the war against Islamic State more effectively used.

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