Tony Abbott

Anthony John "Tony" Abbott (born 4 November 1957) is the Leader of the Opposition in the Australian House of Representatives and federal leader of the centre-right Liberal Party of Australia.

Abbott has represented the seat of Warringah since the 1994 by-election. He was Minister for Employment Services, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and Minister for Health and Ageing in the Howard government at various times from 1998 to 2007 and Leader of the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007. After the defeat of the Howard government at the 2007 federal election, he was Shadow Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs until he resigned from the Malcolm Turnbull shadow cabineton 26 November 2009 in protest against Liberal Party policy. Following a successful spill motion, Abbott defeated Turnbull 42 votes to 41 in the Liberal Party of Australia leadership election of 2009. Abbott will lead The Coalition to the next federal election which will be held on 21 August 2010. (Credit: Wikipedia)

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces early withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan

Australia Announces Early Withdrawal Of Troops From Afghanistan, Opposition Terms Decision As Politically Motivated

Australia is planning to pull out most of its troops by 2013, a year earlier than planned. Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced Tuesday that the mission in Afghanistan was nearly completed and most of its troops would be back home by 2013, smh.com reported.

PM Gillard

Australian PM Gillard Fends Off Leadership Challenge from Rudd

Gillard told reporters that she was grateful for the ''overwhelming endorsement'' from her colleagues.

Australian PM Julia Gillard Attacked by Angry Protesters, Dragged to Safety by Bodyguard

Julia Gillard’s Media Adviser Quits after Australia Day Incident [PHOTOS, VIDEO]

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's media adviser resigned following the incident in which her bodyguard had to drag her to safety through an angry crowd of aboriginal activists in Canberra.

Coalition to PM Gillard: Apply More Pressure for Craig Thomson to Fully Cooperate on HSU Scandal Probe

Julia Gillard Rescued from Angry Protesters by Police

About fifty police officers escorted the two politicians to safety.

Handout picture shows activists from Forest Rescue posing for a photograph aboard the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Sea Shepherd: Australian Anti-Whaling Activists Detained by Japanese

They are apparently on a hunger strike as well.

Yingluck Shinawatra

Winds of change - Women set to rule the world?

With the advent of the first female Prime Minister in Thailand, women now seem to be more powerful than ever.

Gillard govt to set carbon price from mid-2012

Australia's government launched a third attempt on Thursday to make carbon polluters pay for their emissions, unveiling plans for a fixed-price scheme from 2012 and vowing not to surrender this time in the face of fierce opposition.

Cyclone Yasi

Support for Australian government tumbles after disasters

The Australian government's support has slipped to dangerously low levels following a summer of natural disasters and as Prime Minister Julia Gillard fights for a new tax to pay for flood and cyclone reconstruction, a new poll found on Monday.

Australia PM Gillard battens down for disaster fallout

Australia's cruel summer of cyclones and floods could generate a new, devastating political storm for Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who now must buck hostile public opinion to find a way to pay for the clean-up.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard waves to supporters at the Labor Party election headquarters in Melbourne

Australian PM Gillard proposes new “flood tax”

In response to the reconstruction costs associated with the floods that have devastated Queensland and Victoria provinces, the prime minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, has unveiled a new “flood tax” to help pay for the rebuilding.

Australians may face one-time tax to pay for flood costs

Australians may be hit with a one-time “flood tax” to help pay for the damages wrought by the devastating floods in Queensland and Victoria.