Alcopops are likely to be cheaper within weeks while almost $300 million could be
returned to distillers after the government's tax hike on pre-mixed drinks was
defeated.

New data pointing to a recession in Australia this year is "significant proof" of
the impact of a severe global economic slowdown, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Money from the government's $42 billion economic stimulus package isn't being used
for pork barrelling in Queensland's state election, Deputy Prime Minister Julia
Gillard says.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board was in two minds before deciding to pause
on interest rates in March, as it sought room to make more cuts in the future as the

The Greens say they have reached an agreement with the government on new industrial
relations laws to replace Work Choices.

The fate of the government's alcopops tax hike falls to one "impossible" senator,
Family First's Steve Fielding, the Greens say.

An Australian soldier has been shot dead in a firefight with Taliban insurgents,
becoming the ninth digger and the first member of a new training team to die in
Afghanistan.

(AAP) - NSW Waratahs coach Chris Hickey has hit back at his critics, including former
Wallaby Glen Ella, denying his men play boring rugby.

The federal government won't release its whale kill tapes for fear of annoying the
Japanese, the Australian Greens claim.

NRL players have been put on notice that they're on a short leash in 2009 after the
match review committee laid nine charges on Monday, five of them for wrestling.