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Gillard inches closer to reins of power
Julia Gillard is now just two seats short of the 76 she needs.
Australian election: Key independent chooses Gillard
Julia Gillard is closer to retaining power in Australia with one of the four independents choosing her over Tony Abbott.
NZ as a republic 'inevitable' - Cullen
Former Deputy PM Michael Cullen has outlined a proposal which would see Parliament elect the Head of State, telling a conference there was "inevitability" about NZ becoming a republic.
Former Lehman boss comes out fighting at crisis inquiry
The former boss of Lehman Brothers has let loose his bitterness at the US government's failure to save his firm in 2008.
<i>Brian Fallow</i>: Income splitting hardest on poor
Peter Dunne's bill is unfair, unaffordable and unlikely to happen, writes Brian Fallow.
<i>Mirko Bagaric:</i> Coalition pact likely with Labor in wilderness
Professor Mirko Bagaric writes that the trio who hold the balance of power in Australia represent strongly conservative areas.
Labor draws level as Gillard signs up Greens' Bandt
Caretaker Prime Minister Julia Gillard has moved to shore up her claim for power.
<i>Editorial:</i> Obama right to turn the page on Iraq
President Barack Obama has brought down the curtain on the seven-year conflict in Iraq.
Gillard signs deal with Greens
An agreement with the Green Party brings Labor's seat tally to a total of 73.
<i>John Armstrong</i>: A textbook example of crisis management
Watching John Key and Bill English dispose of South Canterbury Finance was a bit like watching a python swallowing an antelope.
South Canterbury bailout bill: $405 each
The Govt yesterday paid $1.775bn - or $405 for every person in NZ - to take control of failed moneylender South Canterbury Finance's assets.
SCF took more risks under govt guarantee, Maier says
South Canterbury Finance's exploiting of a Govt guarantee "violated a lot of prudent lending criteria", its CEO says.
Bad lending led to Sth Canterbury's downfall - Key
South Canterbury Finance got into trouble by lending money to people who couldn't pay it back and on assets that have no value.
Hubbard speaks out - Govt to blame
Allan Hubbard is blaming Government regulations for the failure of South Canterbury Finance.
No Sth Canterbury fire sale - English
Finance Minister Bill English says its quick payout to cover losses by South Canterbury Finance investors will mean "minimal disruption" to the wider economy.