ARU to slice 20 players off top-up list

THE Australian Rugby Union will dramatically cut back the number of contract top-ups it offers, and have already begun shortening the length of contracts on offer.

NBN Co ditches 'gouging' bidders

THE company installing the $36 billion national broadband network has frozen negotiations over vital contracts, alleging exorbitant demands from construction companies.

Soaring costs halt tenders for NBN

THE company in charge of the $36 billion national broadband network has frozen negotiations over vital contracts, citing exorbitant demands from construction companies.

Tax too hard but welfare in Abbott's sights

TONY ABBOTT has shelved a pledge to increase the tax-free threshold and introduce a flat tax if elected after acknowledging there would be losers from such changes and the budget would need to be in surplus to compensate them.

To save Labor, activists must overthrow the political operators

In the dying days of a hard-fought campaign in Balmain I had a very revealing exchange with a voter. I was speaking to a middle-aged woman who had been agonising over whether to vote against Labor for the first time in her life. She told me several "passionate conversations" she'd had with Labor volunteers were what finally convinced her our candidate was "the real deal".