Abbott Government

Australia plans law forcing Google, Facebook to share ad revenue

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in a statement the move comes after talks with Facebook and Alphabet failed to yield a voluntary code to address complaints by domestic media players that the tech giants have too tight a grip on advertising.

Australia's prime minister set to form majority government

Coalition returns to power in a stunning result, after opinion polls and odds-makers tipped the opposition Labor Party to win. The outcome ranks as Australia's biggest election upset since 1993, when Labor prime minister Keating returned to power.

Online histories bite Australian election candidates

Scandals surrounding candidates have become recurring distractions for Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and opposition leader Bill Shorten this week as they attempt to sell their policies on the campaign trail ahead of the May 18 poll.

Australia PM rules out early poll after by-election blow

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who must call national elections by mid-May, acknowledges voter anger over political infighting in Canberra but says he is determined to stay on even if the coalition becomes a minority government.

Scott Morrison becomes Australia's 30th prime minister

The former treasurer in Malcolm Turnbull's government was sworn in as the country's prime minister after he defeated Peter Dutton in a vote to lead the Liberal Party.

Australian PM faces new leadership challenge from conservative rival

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull clings to leadership despite nine Cabinet ministers voting against him, but he is expected to face a renewed leadership challenge from former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton.

Australian prime minister wins leadership challenge

Peter Dutton resigned from cabinet after losing a leadership challenge against prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who had called for the vote after weeks of speculation and falling opinion poll ratings.

Australian secret service secure classified documents accidentally sold

Sold at a discount price, two filing cabinets containing state secrets have become a major embarrassment for the Australian government.

Australia accidentally sells secrets in filing cabinets

Thousands of classified documents spanning a decade were sold with two second-hand filing cabinets at a discount price, prompting an investigation as to how this happened.

Papua New Guinea destroys refugee shelters at Manus immigration centre

Hundreds of asylum-seekers are adamant they will not leave the Australian offshore prison despite police calls for evacuation. Those holed up at the prison say they would rather live in squalid conditions than risk the alternatives provided.

Australian PM Turnbull names Foreign Minister Bishop as substitute

Turnbull says the deputy position will remain vacant until by-election which will be held in Barnaby Joyce's seat on December 2. Bishop would be acting prime minister when Turnbull travels to Israel on Monday, three days behind schedule.

Australia's PM declares victory, Labor concedes defeat

Malcolm Turnbull, Australia's Prime Minister, declares victory on Sunday eight days after polls close, while the Labor party concedes defeat following a tight race.