Labor's IR changes madness: Howard …..

Prime Minister John Howard has used a visit to Western Australia's mining heartland to declare that voting for the Labor Party would be madness because of its industrial relations (IR) policy.

Mr Howard told a fundraising lunch in Kalgoorlie that Labor's plans to abolish Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) will hurt the one in four workers in WA currently on an individual contract.

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Medicare; Private Health Fund costs; Higher Education costs: interest charges on HECS debts; the GST; the impact of the GST on prices, including fuel; no new taxes; Ethanol; Pensions; Foreign Debt; funding of Labour Market programs; reductions in government services; Children Overboard; Iraq & WMD; the funding of Party Political advertising; AWB; the length of Parliamentary sittings; David Hicks; Superannuation; Taxation; Immigration; the Ministerial Code of Conduct; Nuclear Power; the environment; Sorry …..

Bush to cede power to VP during colonoscopy

'The president has had no symptoms,' Snow says before Saturday procedure.

Bush to turn over power to V.P. temporarily July 20: President Bush will hand over power to Vice President Dick Cheney while he undergoes a colonoscopy on Saturday. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports.

Pesident Bush will undergo a routine colonoscopy Saturday and temporarily hand presidential powers over to Vice President Dick Cheney, the White House said.

There was no deal: PM's wife …..

Janette Howard says her husband never made a deal with Peter Costello in
1994 to step aside as Prime Minister after one and a half terms.

In a new biography of John Howard, which exposes the deep personal animus between the Prime Minister and his Treasurer, Mrs Howard says: "John wasn't into making firm commitments".

‘Many consider Mr Costello's comments in the new biography of Mr Howard to be poorly-timed and politically stupid.

Frontbencher Tony Abbott has told Lateline the comments are regrettable, but only a reflection of Mr Costello's mood when he did the interviews for the book last year.

‘At 10 a.m. on April 4, 2001, representatives of 13 environmental groups were brought into the Old Executive Office Building for a long-anticipated meeting. Since late January, a task force headed by Vice President Cheney had been busy drawing up a new national energy policy, and the groups were getting their one chance to be heard.

Costello plays down PM biography comments …..

Federal Treasurer Peter Costello has downplayed comments he made in a biography of Prime Minister John Howard.

Extracts of the book, published in Fairfax newspapers today, reveal Mr Costello remains bitter about a leaked 2001 memo from then Liberal Party president Shane Stone, in which he cops much of the blame for the Government's woes.

He is reported as saying he read it as "an attempt to finger him for the Government's maladies."

Parties' climate change policies lack detail: Flannery …..

Australian of the Year, Tim Flannery, has attacked the major political parties for failing to provide details of their policies on climate change.

The Government has ruled out setting a target for reducing carbon emissions until after the election.

Labor has committed to a target, but has not detailed exactly how it will be achieved.

Abuse Of Public Service Sinks Government Advertising To New Low

Julia Gillard - Deputy Leader, Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Penny Wong - Shadow Minister for Public Administration & Accountability, Corporate Governance & Responsibility, Workforce Participation

Media Statement - 16th July 2007

Russia warns UK over expulsions

The Kremlin has warned Britain it faces "serious consequences" after expelling four Russian diplomats from the UK.

The move followed Moscow's refusal to hand over the former KGB agent accused of murdering Alexander Litvinenko in London last year.

Suspect Andrei Lugovoi, who denies involvement, claimed the charges against him had a "political subtext".

Why Benedict?

His choice of the name Benedict was significant.

In his first general audience in St Peter's Square on April 27, 2005, the new Pope explained why he chose the name.

He revealed: "Firstly, I remember Pope Benedict XV, that courageous prophet of peace, who guided the Church through turbulent times of war. In his footsteps I place my ministry in the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples.

Ministers voice support for Howard amid latest poll

Federal Cabinet ministers say another bad opinion poll for the Coalition has no bearing on their support for John Howard as leader.

Federal Cabinet meets in Canberra today and arriving at the airport, ministers were mostly asked about another poll pointing to a Labor government.

"Polls go up, polls go down. We're focused on running a good economy," Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey said.

Russia sends warning to the West

By Jonathan Marcus

BBC diplomatic correspondent

‘Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at the hotel where the 119th International Olympic Committee Session on 4 July 2007.

President Putin wants Russia to be treated as an equal by the US President.

Howard apologises for forgetting candidate's name

Prime Minister John Howard has apologised to a federal Liberal candidate for forgetting her name.

Vanessa Goodwin is looking to win the southern Tasmanian seat of Franklin from Labor.

Speaking on ABC Radio this morning, Mr Howard said Ms Goodwin has his support but he could not recall her name.

Ms Goodwin says she is not disappointed.