The Socceroos' performance against South American champion Chile shows Australia needs no longer have an inferiority complex against the world's top teams, and can beat Japan in August to move closer to World Cup qualification.

The AFL may be celebrating its closes finishes this season but does parity mean mediocrity, asks Richard Hinds.

For more than a century, power has devolved to Canberra. That now looks to be reversing, with SA Premier Jay Weatherill's unexpected grenade assault on the major banks last week opening the door for a shift back towards state taxes, writes Ian Verrender.

When Mia Davies responded to the Government's increases to household fees and charges with a renewed call for a mining tax, it may have prompted some to question her political nous, but the WA Nationals leader appears to have a plan.

The Government's landmark Gonski 2.0 package passes the Senate, but Labor refuses to let go of the politics of schools funding — and it will be a difficult debate for the Government to maintain control of, writes Andrew Probyn.