Michael Clarke has come under fire for leaving the tour in New Zealand to be with fiancee Lara Bingle.
Some say it should count against him when the ledger is balanced to choose the next Test captain.
But he has only done what any decent husband or boyfriend should do. He's put family ahead of work. More
Kevin Rudd's comments as a father, on bullying, have struck a chord with voters. More
Two of the world's oldest civilisations are facing serious financial troubles. More
It wasn't that long ago gold was on the nose, especially in Australia, but now, everyone wants it. More
When in the mood, Julia Gillard is far and away the Government's best salesperson. More
Is it worth having workers' retirement savings put at risk, and traded at the mercy of the market? More
Two of the world's oldest civilisations are facing serious financial troubles. More
However you look at the emerging crisis in southern Europe, it doesn't look good. More
Abbott can learn from his colleagues! Which ones, if I may ask? He's supposed to be their best, Malcolm is a backbencher now, who is there to ask...
Helvi, on Abbott still has lots to learn (via story comment)
I cannot see Tony Abbott's maternity plan working when a woman gets $70/hr for staying at home and nursing her baby and another woman gets $10/hr. She might be worth $70/hr at work however at home she is worth no more than the waitress.
Glen Sheather, on Labour pains dog Abbott's maternity plan (via story comment)
Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg rap a nerdcore hip hop song about The Chronicles of Narnia.
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Cars are inundated by floodwaters on a North Melbourne street outside The Lost Dogs Home during a storm on March 6, 2010.
Which parental leave plan do you prefer, Tony Abbott’s or Kevin Rudd’s?
The government throws prudence - and billions - to the wind, writes Malcolm Turnbull in the National Times.
"It looks as if Kevin Rudd is not the bureaucratic messiah after all, but just another headline-hunting politician."
The Coalition should offer parental leave as part of a reform of family benefits, says Jessica Brown in The Australian.
"A plan for reform, rather than an election year handout, could be the policy that Abbott needs to win support from the big end of town and young mums."
Daniel Engber, in Slate, says get ready for a new front in the war on obesity.
"Since we don't expect kids to make their own decisions, we're free to indulge in all sorts of nanny-state shenanigans, like mandatory gym classes and bans on cafeteria vending machines."
Cameron's team sees itself as the good guys but the whole system is decomposing, writes Rafael Behr in the NewStatesman.
"It is as if, having come back from so many disasters - the economic meltdown, the coups, the Prime Minister's violent rage - Labour had developed a weird immunity to bad news. How do you kill a government of the undead?"
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Operation Friction prepared for three months to bust a driving event in Melbourne's suburbs.
As economic growth improves, China's leaders are calling for caution.
Security in Haiti is deteriorating with many women and children suffering sexual assaults.
Once an oasis of hedonism and opportunity, the party may be over for Dubai.
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Very well said. Hypocrites the lot of them. Well done Clarkey. There's more to life than cricket and we forget there is a poor girl who is being traumatised beyond belief and her wellbeing is all that matters.
Mark, on Family matters cause cricket bingle (via story comment)