Slipper brings back Speaker's gown

New parliamentary Speaker Peter Slipper has worn a black gown and flagged new rules for question time.

RBA struck balance on rates- Swan

Treasurer Wayne Swan believes the RBA has struck a balance by leaving the cash rate unchanged.

Unions to strike as EU pressures Greece

Greek trade union leaders have called a general strike as EU leaders mount pressure on PM Lucas Papademos.

Romney eyes new wins in Republican race

Mitt Romney hopes the caucuses of Colorado and Minnesota to cement a Republican presidential nomination.

Abbott talks betrayal at MPs' service

Tony Abbott has delivered a reading about betrayal at a church service marking the new parliamentary year.

Coalition Nauru plans in shreds- Bowen

The government says the coalition's Nauru detention centre costings are in tatters.

Force banks to pass on rate cuts-Green

The Australian Greens want banks to be forced to pass on official interest rate cuts.

I'll deal with whoever is leader - Brown

Bob Brown says he would reach a fresh arrangement with a new Labor leader should Julia Gillard be toppled.

Burma's Suu Kyi can run for parliament

Burma's election commission has given Aung San Suu Kyi permission to participate in April elections.

Aussies don't trust politicians - survey

A new survey has found 60 per cent of Australians don't believe what their political leaders say.

Political sexism lives on, says senator

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young says sexism is alive and well in Australian politics.

Abbott says Gillard playing sexism card

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Julia Gillard is playing the 'sexism card'.

UK govt summons Syrian ambassador

Syria's ambassador in London has been summoned to the Foreign Office to discuss the violence in the country.

US closes embassy in Syria

The Obama administration has closed the US Embassy in Damascus and pulled all US diplomats out of Syria.

PNG court summons political leaders

The Supreme Court of PNG has ordered those involved in the recent political crisis to appear today.

Gingrich 'Super Tuesday' hopes

US, Israel 'in lockstep'

Obama 'deserves' re-election

Queen marks 60 years on throne

PM - Election winnable

Key wants Waitangi marae visit

Romney wins landslide in Nevada

Coalition to quiz Thomson, tent protest

Clinton urges friends of Syria to unite

Niinisto wins Finnish poll in landslide

Govt pushes ahead with health means-test

Gillard reads riot act to Labor caucus

Body scanning legislation going ahead

Syrian diplomatic break urged

Gillard ahead of Abbott in latest poll

Gillard has support of caucus - Swan

William starts Falklands tour of duty

Xenophon wants breast implant inquiry

Katter says Abbott not assured of vote

No intervention into Thomson inquiry

Abbott brushes off Turnbull popularity