May 20, 2013 Heather Thomas spends her weekdays at university and her weekends waiting on tables.

May 20, 2013 Schools in NSW would lose, on average, $1.7 million in funding over six years if other states and territories do not sign up for the Gonski reforms, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Sunday.

May 20, 2013 Victorian government schools would lose $1.9 million in funding over six years on average if the states and territories do not sign up for the Gonski reforms, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Sunday. The difference in schools funding would be $16.2 billion nationally over six years, she said.

May 20, 2013 Julia Gillard has arrested a three-month decline in her standing with voters, to be back level with Tony Abbott as preferred prime minister, although Labor would still be beaten if an election were held now.

May 20, 2013 Treasurer Wayne Swan is being urged to smooth the 'sudden death' end of the baby bonus.

May 20, 2013 Julia Gillard has arrested a three-month decline in her standing with voters to be back level with Tony Abbott as preferred prime minister, although Labor would still be defeated if an election were held now.

May 20, 2013 Labor managed to have a tax review without talking about it. The Coalition has promised not to touch it in its first term. But NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell says it is time for a ''dinkum'' discussion. He says lifting the rate of the goods and services tax beyond 10 per cent should be considered.

May 20, 2013 John Howard was on the election trail in 2001 when he met mother Vikkie Chrisoulis.

May 20, 2013 Treasurer Wayne Swan is being urged to smooth the ''sudden death'' end of the baby bonus, due to fall from $5000 to $500.

May 20, 2013 More than 90 per cent of boat people were found to be genuine refugees in the March quarter.