Much more needs to be done to help developing countries build education systems that will give girls the chance to realise their potential, writes Julia Gillard

There are hopes that this is a watershed moment in Australia’s politics but Malcolm Turnbull, the fifth prime minister in just eight years, will need to tread cautiously, writes Gareth Evans

It was acceptable to describe one now retired female politician as a sumo wrestler, writes Terry Prone

Indonesia has postponed the transfer of six convicted drug smugglers to a prison island for execution.

As the Sydney siege memorial grows, a Muslim bride has made a pilgrimage to Martin Place on her wedding day.

Australia’s government has repealed a controversial carbon tax on the nation’s worst greenhouse gas polluters, ending years of contention over a measure that became political poison for those who imposed it.

Australia’s first woman prime minister, who was dumped by her own party ahead of it losing the general election, says she was the target of “aggressive sexism” during three years in power.

Prime minister-elect Tony Abbott has rekindled the sexism accusations that have dogged his political career by naming only one woman — foreign minister Julie Bishop — to the 19-member cabinet that will be sworn into government tomorrow.

New Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has rekindled sexism accusations that have dogged his career by naming only one woman to his 19-member cabinet.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has conceded the Australian election, saying the party "fought the good fight".

Australia’s ruling Labour Party appeared poised for defeat in a national election today, as opinion polls, analysts and an early exit poll suggested the conservative opposition party was on its way to a sweeping victory.

Australians headed to the polls today in an election that is expected to see opposition leader Tony Abbott guide his Liberal Party-led coalition to victory.

Newly-reinstated Australian leader Kevin Rudd put gay marriage on the election agenda, calling for a bipartisan conscience ballot on the issue and raising the possibility of putting it to a direct public vote.

Kevin Rudd has been sworn in as Australian Prime Minister, three years and three days after he was ousted from the same job in an internal government showdown.

After three years plotting his revenge, Kevin Rudd made a spectacular return to the labour leadership and could be named Australia’s prime minister today.

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard has been ousted as Labour Party leader by her predecessor Kevin Rudd by MPs hoping to avoid a huge defeat in upcoming elections.

Last year in Colombia there were 10 political assassinations. Routine targets include trade unionists and student activists. It is a country scourged by kidnappings and violence.

Australia’s prime minister has demanded the political scalp of the high-profile Liberal candidate Mal Brough over the “grossly sexist” wording of a menu for his federal election fundraiser.

Chinese hackers did steal the blueprints of a new Australian spy agency headquarters, a politician has confirmed following media reports.

Australia’s long wait for a Masters champion is finally over, and when Adam Scott won at rainy Augusta National on Sunday an entire nation rejoiced and breathed a collective sigh of relief.

MARGARET THATCHER was the most forceful and influential post-war British prime minister.

China deplored tension on the Korean peninsula yesterday and, in an apparent reference to North Korea, said no country should be allowed to plunge the region into chaos after the US postponed a missile test to ease talk of war.

Australia opened a national probe into child sex abuse yesterday, with premier Julia Gillard warning of “uncomfortable truths” as institutions including schools and churches come under scrutiny.

Groups representing natural mothers and adopted people have called for an investigation into the scale of forced and illegal adoptions in Ireland.

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard has faced down a leadership challenge, emerging victorious from a party vote after former leader Kevin Rudd made a last-minute decision not to run.

Julia Gillard remains Australia’s prime minister after she threw her job open to a leadership ballot but no one was willing to run against her.

Bruce Springsteen kicked off his Australian tour with a tongue-in-cheek warning about his political influence over national economics.

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard took the nation by surprise today by declaring that an election would be held on September 14.

As part of obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Education Department needs to urgently update its 20-year-old anti-bullying policy to include cyberbullying and teach children about their rights online, according to a child law expert.

Australians were bracing for what officials warned could be the worst fire danger day ever seen, as police searched for some 100 people still missing in ravaged Tasmania.

A search for bodies has begun among the charred ruins of more than 100 homes and other buildings destroyed by wildfires in Australia’s island state of Tasmania.

Shock and sympathy were the initial reactions from around the world to the shooting rampage that left 28 people dead, including 20 children, in Connecticut.

The High Court judge who led the investigation into institutional abuse in Ireland has advised the Australian government on how best to probe wide- spread child abuse there.

Australia’s prime minister has ordered an inquiry into claims of child sex abuse in state and religious institutions and community groups.

A second term and a Twitter record — with much to celebrate, a picture of an intimate embrace with his wife Michelle has become US President Barack Obama’s most popular tweet ever with over half a million retweets and counting.

A second term and a Twitter record – with much to celebrate, a picture of an intimate embrace with his wife Michelle has become President Barack Obama’s most popular tweet ever with over half a million retweets and counting.

Australia’s prime minister Julia Gillard did not define “misogyny” wrong in a blistering attack on a male rival – the dictionary did.

Australian politicians have overwhelmingly rejected a bill that would have legalised gay marriage.

Calling an end to the commodity boom is problematic because the definition of what constitutes the boom depends on who you are.

Australia plans to deport would-be asylum seekers to detention camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

Australia’s finance minister has declared rock star Bruce Springsteen the answer to economic woes.

South Korea plans to resume hunting whales for research purposes, officials said today, drawing immediate protests from non-whaling nations and environment groups.

A boat carrying asylum seekers to Australia capsized today and 123 people were rescued from the Indian Ocean, Australia’s prime minister Julia Gillard said, less than a week after more than 90 people drowned on a similar journey.

Scores of people are feared drowned after a boat believed to be carrying about 200 asylum seekers capsized south of Indonesia.

Barack Obama’s announcement that he supports gay marriage has boosted the hopes of rights groups around the world that other leaders will follow his example.

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard said she had asked a lawmaker embroiled in a scandal over payment for prostitutes to quit the Labour Party, in a blow to her fragile minority rule.

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard has dismissed as “disgraceful” claims that she was making light of sexual harassment by allowing the parliamentary speaker to keep his job while facing allegations that he pressured a member of staff for sex.

Australia’s parliament speaker said he was temporarily stepping down over a sexual harassment lawsuit which threatens to further weaken Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s hold on power.

Australia’s prime minister said her country will begin pulling its troops out of Afghanistan earlier than planned.

Irish-born Australian rules football star Jim Stynes, who lost his battle with cancer, will receive a state funeral in his adopted home country.