Govt talks up dole penalties as Newstart pay debate bites

UPDATED: The Federal Government has reignited the “dole bludger” stereotype amid debate about the adequacy of unemployment benefits, releasing figures showing a majority have payments suspended because they miss appointments.

Media leak evidence "may have been destroyed": AFP

Australian Federal Police believe evidence may have been destroyed in relation to media leaks about union raids.

Michaelia Cash's former media adviser David de Garis outside the Federal Court in Melbourne. Photo: AAP/Ellen Smith

Michaelia Cash's top adviser was source of raid leak, court told

Senator Michaelia Cash’s chief of staff Ben Davies was the source of a controversial leak to media about imminent police raids at Australian Workers’ Union offices.

Cash refuses to quit over AWU leak scandal

Embattled cabinet minister Michaelia Cash has denied her former media adviser “took a bullet” for her by quitting after informing media about federal police raids on trade union offices.