Politicians say a lot of things in public, and so it’s only natural that occasionally they will use words incorrectly. Lampooning sometimes follows, and in most cases the mistakes should be quickly forgotten and forgiven. (The exception being gaffes, where an inadvertent truth is revealed, but we can talk about that another time – I’m sure it won’t be long until we have an excuse.)

It's all starting to fray badly around the edges for Malcolm Turnbull, writes Bob Ellis.

"With great respect to those who don't share my views and recognising our proud history of European settlement in this country and beyond, over 200 years and more, I will lend my voice to the republican movement in this country," General Morrison said in his acceptance speech on Monday night.

Is Australia really a multicultural safe haven of equal opportunity? Or is racism more prevalent than ever before?

Joe Hockey has had a very chilly reception in Washington DC as he starts his new job as Australia's Ambassador to the United States. 

Mr Hockey has arrived in the US capital to take up the plum diplomatic job, just in time to experience the "snowmageddon​" that is sweeping the area first-hand. 

He has posted several photos to Twitter showing the Ambassador's residence blanketed in snow, as well as a  "snelfie" (snow selfie), complete with slight grimace and hoodie. 

US Republican front-runner Donald Trump says he could stand in New York's Fifth Avenue "and shoot somebody" and not lose voters.

Yet, large and growing minorities in every country of Europe, and now in America, believe that not only is this proposition absurd, the end result could be national suicide. And when one considers the millions who are flocking to Trump and Sanders, it is hard to believe that the establishments of the two parties, even if they defeat these challengers, can return to same old interventionist, trade, immigration, and war policies.