The greatest shock of the Australian writer’s new novel about a misogynistic dystopia is that it is based on a real girls’ home from the 1970s

The new prime minister will have to compromise on his beliefs to win over his party

Malcom Turnbull to implement programme for government set out under Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott’s scepticism about climate change and opposition to legalising same-sex marriage left him outside mainstream of public opinion

Malcolm Turnbull to become Australia’s fourth prime minister in two years

The knee-jerk reaction to the concept is that it smacks of Big Brother government

Australia’s first woman prime minister had to deal not just with political battles but also with sexist insults. That’s all the more reason for young woman to enter the field, she says

Last year’s inconclusive budget stymies business as emphasis in Australia shifts from ‘mining to dining’

‘Barnacle-clearing’ leader believes he can turn government’s fortunes around

Misleading ‘exclusive’ in newspaper about tobacco sales gains traction overseas

An Oxford professor says we overestimate the importance of those at the top of the political ladder

Carr’s diaries carry ‘real risk of damaging Australia’s standing’

Australian PM Tony Abbot hopes attention is turning to cricket, Christmas and the beach

Country ‘complacent in prosperity’, Dublin event hears

New PM says scrapping unpopular carbon tax will be a key priority

Opinion: Traditional alliance with US competing with geographic factors

Steady flow of refugee boats from Indonesia a hot political issue

Voters punish outgoing Labor government for six years of turbulent rule

Labor Party facing likely defeat after tumultuous six years in power