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In 2010, two conservative English-born Oxford chaps will carry the hopes of their parties into general elections in the United Kingdom and Australia.

David Cameron and Tony Abbott have entered the leadership arena in contrastive political circumstances and represent radically different ideas on how to return to government.

But the difference between them is perhaps nowhere more evident than on climate change. More

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In creeps political conservatism, pervasive moral tut-tutting, the hate literature disguised as 'open discussion'. In creeps political conservatism

In creeps political conservatism, pervasive moral tut-tutting, the hate literature disguised as 'open discussion'. More

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It's highly doubtful the 2010 Twitter efforts of our politicians will be successful in changing votes. Twitterverse

It's highly doubtful the 2010 Twitter efforts of our politicians will successfully influence voters. More

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Profile picture of British historian Simon Schama History lesson

Historian Simon Schama talks about current US politics in the context of the country's history. More

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ABC Columnists

  1. The right focus

    Let's hope cricket headlines will focus on the game, not Lara Bingle, this week. More

  2. Picture perfect

    Just like a painting, you have to stare a while to see what's happening in politics. More

  3. Well-readhead

    The Kindle is far cheaper than actual books but the range is too limited. More

  4. Senate talk

    The Government needs to try harder in the Senate. More

  5. Mark their words

    The battle begins over Australia's new media landscape. More

  6. Failure of leadership

    Did Australia hava a better relationship with Indonesia when it was a dictatorship? More

  7. Family or work?

    Michael Clarke has come under fire for leaving the NZ tour to be with his fiancee. More

  8. Listen and learn

    Tony Abbott still has a lot to learn from his colleagues. More

  9. More war movies?

    Are we going to see a flood of war movies on the big screen? More

Business Analysis

Strange times for investing

These are strange times for investing; it feels like anything could happen. More

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Unemployment - what's in a number?

Unemployment. It is one of the most watched, and perhaps least understood, economic figures. More

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Demolishing the entire superannuation system

Is it worth having workers' retirement savings put at risk, and traded at the mercy of the market? More

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You Said It

What I can't stand is that everything is either 'political correctness gone made' or 'un-Australian'. No, it's generally justifying rude, unethical, unacceptable or silly behaviour.

AJ, on In creeps political conservatism (via story comment)

Thank you for having the good sense to acknowledge that these social networking bandwagon jumps by politicians are largely ineffectual - though I don't think it's just about how they (mis)use the technology, I'd argue that Twitter can only 'point' to real political discussion (i.e. links to other media, traditional and online) not generate it.

Lawson, on Politicians traversing the twitterverse (via story comment)

My experience is that the longer a flat market exists the lower the risk.

Peter Cass, on Strange times for investing (via story comment)

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Watch

  1. Monday 15 Mar 2010

    Bush Sr. vs. Bush Jr.

    Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. get to talking just like you'd expect a father and son to around one another.

  2. Friday 12 Mar 2010

    A political investment

    Abbott's new tax isn't a tax, it is an "investment in human capital".

  3. Friday 12 Mar 2010

    Evolution trumps Creationism

    Richard Dawkins hammers home what he sees as his key argument against the existence of God.

More video »

Your Photos

Ants gather around spilled custard in the kitchen of a house

Ants gather around spilled custard in the kitchen of a house in the Brisbane suburb of Goodna, March 12, 2010. (Peter Cox)

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Provoking comment on the web

The same old waltz of prurience and prudery

Our reaction to Lara Bingle exposes us as Victorian throwbacks, says David Burchell in The Australian.
"Bingle may or may not be a ditz. But by treating her as such, merely because she has become a token in our great sexual roundabout of desire and disapproval, we make even bigger ditzes of ourselves."

Learning From Lehman

The New York Times says a new report on the Lehman collapse reminds us of the crying need for adult supervision of Wall Street.
"The surviving banks have only gotten bigger and more politically powerful. If the Valukas report is not a wake-up call, what would be?"

Batten down the hatches

The Sydney Morning Herald's Paul Sheehan says the world has become an economically unstable place, with enormous unresolved issues.
"Australia's economy is fundamentally sound, but the global economy is fundamentally unsound. Even a good boat can be swamped by a bad sea..."

Grim words from China

A rare warning from the Chinese Premier that the world could return to recession should be heeded closely, writes Robert Gottliebsen in the Business Spectator.
"We will need to watch the curbs on Chinese local government work. And if the Chinese do pull back, Australia will bear a lot of the short term pain."

ABC Blogs

  • All Points

    Go behind the scenes with ABC news journalists as they cover the news agenda around Australia.

  • Antony Green's Election Blog

    Share ABC psephologist Antony Green's expertise as he analyses all things electoral.

  • Articulate

    Articulate is ABC News Online's daily take on arts news and events in Australia and throughout the world.

  • Off Air

    Thoughts on the news agenda of the day from ABC News journalists and presenters.

  • The Shallow End

    The Shallow End is ABC News Online's way of casting a critical eye over entertainment news from Australia and the world.

  • The Sports Desk

    ABC Sport Online's daily take on the world of sport.

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