May 19, 2013 Military police at Australia's detention centre in Afghanistan were pressured to make prisoners more "pliable" by gagging them, depriving them of sleep and denying them exercise.

May 19, 2013 The Liberal Party will focus on Victorian seats held by Labor with more than a 10 per cent margin, now that ''the state problem'' of Ted Baillieu has been resolved with the installation of Premier Denis Napthine.

May 19, 2013 The Gillard government has stashed away a ''war chest'' of nearly half a billion dollars in secret projects to be announced before the election.

May 19, 2013 Greens leader Christine Milne is being accused of running a dysfunctional office and allowing a culture of intimidation, after the sudden resignation of a highly regarded senior employee.

May 19, 2013 The Gillard government has stashed away a ''war chest'' of nearly half a billion dollars in secret projects to be announced before the election.

May 19, 2013 Strong tensions within the Greens have emerged just months from the federal election, with party leader Christine Milne being accused of running a dysfunctional office and allowing a culture of intimidation.

May 19, 2013 Farmers are demanding the federal government explain why they will have to wait 14 months before they can apply for help under its new financial assistance scheme.

May 18, 2013 Bill Shorten has vowed that Labor will keep its hands off the goods and service tax, following revelations that Tony Abbott could include the GST in a review of the tax system if the Coalition is elected.

May 18, 2013 After spending most of the past two years more valuable than the greenback, the Australian dollar has finally been driven well below parity with its American counterpart.

May 18, 2013 Foreign Minister uses used special powers to cancel the visa issued to alleged crime boss.