Nick Feik

Environment Minister Greg Hunt has approved the creation of one of the world's largest coalports in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The projects will involve dredging for three port terminals in Abbot Point – affecting World Heritage …

Some issues, it seems, are too important to trust the public with. There are any number of ways that governments justify keeping issues out of public view. National security, for example, or commercial-in-confidence. But sometimes there's no …

Threats to iconic companies Qantas and Holden will always be front-page news. Coinciding as they do with the difficult first few months of Coalition government, their symbolism is even more potent. Following the GrainCorp decision, Qantas and Holden …

This is clearly not the support Holden was hoping for.  The company has been in discussions with the government, seeking an assistance package for its local manufacturing operations. Without it, car-making in this country will cease permanently.  So …

The Coalition has finally tasted parliamentary success. Working with the Greens to remove the debt ceiling would not have appeared high on its list of priorities in opposition, but it was necessary and it gave the government a chance to sideline …

Attorney-general George Brandis authorised an ASIO raid on the Canberra offices of a lawyer representing East Timor against Australia in arbitration in the international courts of The Hague. ASIO seized evidence provided by a former Australian intelligence …

At some point over the weekend the Minister for Education became the Minister for Whatever It Takes To Make This Go Away.  It's too early to gauge the political damage caused by Christopher Pyne's botched adventures in education funding, …

Having secured another prime ministerial interview, Andrew Bolt began thus: "The attacks on you are astonishing." Bolt didn't explain to which ones he was referring but proceeded to rail against the ABC, inviting Abbott to do the same. Then …

The Coalition has placed great emphasis on its ability and ambition to attract foreign investment – Australia is 'open for business', said Abbott when he became prime minister. But it was always going to be conditional, given the tensions …

Another day, another diplomatic stoush. Two, in fact. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has been rebuked by China for "irresponsible" criticism after she summoned its ambassador to express Australia's opposition to its territorial claims …

“When you move into government, you’ve got to stop behaving like an opposition,” said NSW premier Barry O'Farrell yesterday, in response to news that the federal government was ditching the Better Schools Plan “Gonski” …

In the days and weeks before it went into caretaker mode, the previous federal government reached new school funding agreements with the state governments of Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and South Australia and the Catholic schools. (New funding arrangements …

One of the few things the Abbott government has been effective at, in its opening period in government, is alienating people. Its representations to CHOGM and the Warsaw climate change negotiations have set back Australia's international reputation …

The spying scandal drags on, as Indonesia awaits an acceptable response from Prime Minister Abbott. Indonesian politicians ramped up their criticism of Tony Abbott, in particular. Even senior members of opposing parties were backing their prime minister. …

"I deeply regret any embarrassment that recent media reports have caused," Abbott told parliament on Tuesday. "I regret the statement of Australian Prime Minister that belittled this tapping matter," replied President Yudhoyono. Try …