May 22, 2013 A refugee widow and her six-year-old son will taste freedom in Australia after ASIO dramatically reversed an assessment she posed a threat to national security.

May 22, 2013 The Coalition has signalled it may break up the Australian Taxation Office if it wins government, to ensure a "more independent" resolution to tax disputes.

May 22, 2013 The federal budget will remain in structural deficit for several years after it is officially forecast to return to surplus in 2015-16, Federal Treasury has estimated.

May 22, 2013 Shadow assistant treasurer Mathias Cormann has dismissed comments from Treasury head Martin Parkinson that his department does not tailor numbers to the government, arguing "you wouldn't expect him to say anything else".

May 22, 2013 Former Federal Labor MP Craig Thomson accused of using a Health Services Union credit card to pay for prostitutes has appeared in court today to face 19 fresh charges.

May 22, 2013 A bleak picture of disadvantage among single parents forced onto Newstart has emerged, with a new Salvation Army report finding the contentious policy has compounded levels of deprivation.

May 22, 2013 Tony Abbott is facing internal pressure from Victorian Liberals to privatise the ABC and SBS if he wins the September 14 election amid claims both organisations are struggling to comply with their charters.

May 22, 2013 Communications Minister Stephen Conroy brokered a deal with the television industry to allow betting companies to continue spruiking live odds during sports broadcasts, despite the growing public backlash against the spread of gambling culture.

May 22, 2013 A virtual war over gay marriage has broken out between key Labor government figures and a powerful Christian lobby group.

May 22, 2013 Stephen Conroy brokered a deal with the television industry to allow betting companies to continue spruiking live odds during sports broadcasts, despite the growing public backlash against the spread of gambling culture.