Politics
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Govt told before 2012 funding that Ford would shutter plants: report
Report suggests Labor knew funding would not convince Ford to keep plants open beyond 2016.
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PM to tour western Sydney
Gillard visits politically crucial area for second time in a week.
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Ford pressured to help axed workers
Automaker pledges help, but amount unknown; PM says Ford should help 'generously'.
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Vic premier pledges Geelong help
Napthine tells industry, business leaders there is 'some light at the end of the tunnel'.
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PM agrees to auto summit
Gillard resists tariff pressure, agrees to ACTU request for summit.
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Gillard rejects calls for car tarrif hike
PM resists demands from unions, Labor MPs to hike tarrif to 10% while currency remains high.
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Liberals arrogant on election chances: Gillard
PM says Coalition confidence about winning in Sept 'out of control'.
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Falling dollar aids auto industry: Emerson
Trade minister says lower currency provides powerful export assistance to industry.
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Exports the solution for car industry: Abbott
Opposition leader says greater focus on exports is the way forward for car industry.
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Ford to assist axed workers: Graziano
CEO says company will work with governments on transition package for workers, will not specify how much Ford will commit to fund.
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Bradbury defends assistance to auto industry
Assistant treasurer says govt will continue to support industry despite Ford's decision.
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ACTU wants car crisis talks
Trade union wants govt to hold a crisis meeting on the future of local manufacturing.
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Independent schools hit out at Gonski
ISCA joins Catholic schools in querying the PM's funding of the Gonski reforms.
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Tasmania to sign up to Gonski
Giddings flags intention to sign up to reforms, allocates funds in budget.
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US must rein in war on terror: Obama
US president lays out security plan in major policy speech.
The Spectators
Bet the Lodge: Polling power
Stephen Koukoulas 11This week's move in the betting markets highlights just how much bookies are dependent on poll swings – with the seat of New England the exception to the rule.
Do we want fewer, tougher tax men?
Rob Burgess 26There is room for reform at the nation's tax office but Joe Hockey's proposal to knock tax administration and policing into place could be counterproductive.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Jackson HewettIn this week's essential reading guide Bartholomeusz predicts a Ford domino effect, Koukoulas runs the ruler over Australia's economy, Burgess foresees a carbon flip and Irvine surveys a Bernanke brainwave.
Stop the rot on Treasury forecasts
Jessica Irvine 42Wayne Swan could have better explained the role of Treasury forecasts, but Joe Hockey's undermining of confidence in the department is just as bad.
Partisan stories leave Australia defenceless
Rob Burgess 19Both sides of politics have an interest in pretending Australian prosperity was their handiwork. But before long, global headwinds will reveal Australia’s true position.
Stripping off the 'real budget' disguise
Phil Lewis 13Reports by the Parliamentary Budget Office and Treasury confirmed Labor has blown out a structural budget deficit that began under John Howard's government, and the next government has quite a job on its hands.
No olive branch for a European comedy
Oliver Marc Hartwich 12New regulations on olive oil show what a farce the noble European Union integration project has become.
The apolitical factors that tripped up Treasury
Bernard Keane & Glenn Dyer 17Martin Parkinson has provided some insight into how Treasury muffed its forecasts and cornered the treasurer, citing dollar behaviour, Asian growth mix-ups and miner optimism.