Reforms begin to close working-with-children loopholes
An urgent plan to close loopholes in working with children checks will not "reinvent the wheel" but the government is confident it will help protect children.
parliament
‘One-trick pony’ MP bucks off parliament censure motion
Controversial MP Mark Latham has staved off a bid to draw a line under his alleged abuse of parliamentary privilege, hurling more vitriol during debate.
Hard lesson as crumbling state schools face $441m fix
Repairing a state's schools will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, with the revelation coming a day after teachers went on strike over pay and conditions.
‘Toxic’ culture at DNA lab adds to backlog of problems
Ongoing problems at a beleaguered DNA lab have been laid bare by a former Federal Bureau of Investigation expert.
Airbnb hosts say caps won’t shift them to rental market
Short-term rental hosts would be more likely to leave their properties empty than list them on the long-term rental market to aid supply, a survey shows.
Jailed MP stalls expulsion in ‘highly unusual’ move
A disgraced MP in jail for sexual assault is resisting being forced to give up his seat in parliament after a court foiled a government's bid to oust him.
New dawn as leaders face off in first question time
The prime minister and opposition leader have faced off on superannuation tax changes in their first question time since Labor's landslide election win.
Nats ‘steers’ rumbling in party paddock over net zero
Two aggrieved former Nationals leaders are using their opposition to a net zero emissions target to put pressure on their leader to scrap the party's policy.
PM stares down internal push for Palestine recognition
The prime minister is facing growing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state as prominent figures within Labor's ranks issue a clarion call to action.
Ukraine shakes up cabinet to reinvigorate war effort
Ukraine has appointed Yuliia Svyrydenko as its new prime minister, marking the first leadership change since Russia's invasion in 2022
Federal parliament’s newbies are steppin’ out
A basketball player, a kidnapping consultant and a foster carer are just a few of the new faces set to fill the hallowed halls of parliament.
Buoyant Albanese plots next phase of Labor dynasty
Childcare reform, cutting HECS debt, enshrining penalty rates and initiating a new class of Labor MPs are the prime minister's priorities as parliament resumes.
Political leaders come face to face on new battleground
Anthony Albanese and Sussan Ley have stood side by side as political leaders for the first time as they prepare for federal parliament to return.
Nice work if you can get it: premier pockets plenty
Parliamentarians in one state have been granted a pay rise, propelling the premier to the position of Australia's second highest-paid politician.
Liberal leader open to quotas after election drubbing
The Liberal Party must endorse more women after a thumping election defeat, its leader Sussan Ley says, declaring herself a "zealot" on gender representation.
Landmark weapons search laws made permanent
Landmark laws allowing Queensland Police to search people for weapons in public places have been made permanent.
‘Parliament tower’ approval a tall order for opponents
Approval for a capital city's tallest commercial building, just metres from its heritage-listed parliament, disrespects history and heritage, opponents say.
Ex-premier tips Liberal leadership change to avoid poll
Rather than face a fourth election in seven years, a former premier believes a state Liberal party will change leaders in a bid to retain power.
Steelworks sale on track despite hit on state budget
The sale of a steelworks is tracking better than expected after a state government handed down its no frills budget.
‘Sad day’ as state faces fourth election in seven years
Ousted in a no-confidence vote, Tasmania's premier will seek re-election amid a backlash over budget debt, bungled new ferries and a contentious stadium plan.
Voters forgo sugar-hit as law and order tops budget
A pre-election budget has few sweeteners for voters as a state government focuses on boosting its law and order credentials with a $395 million package.
Liberal debt to double, state companies face sell-off
A state government is hanging its hat on potential asset sales and a public sector "efficiency unit" as means to pay down ballooning budget debt.
Coalition chiefs deny settling scores in shadow cabinet
A Liberal senator who oversaw a disastrous work-from-home policy is among the biggest losers as the reunited coalition unveiled its shadow cabinet.
Second wave ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws pass
The second wave of the controversial "adult crime, adult time" laws adding attempted murder and rape to the list of lengthy sentences have passed.
‘Underclass of Australians’: youth crime laws slammed
The United Nations has taken aim at a state government's youth crime crackdown, saying it threatens to create an "underclass of Australians".
Brittany Higgins slams anti-discrimination law pause
Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins has blasted a state's decision to pause landmark anti-discrimination law changes.
‘Forgotten children’: state care failings scrutinised
Advocates have welcomed a state's child safety investigation but fear recommendations will fall on deaf ears, ensuring some kids will remain "forgotten".
Good character references restricted in rape cases
A state has launched major reforms to its rape sentencing guidelines by restricting the way good character references for offenders is considered.
Polls close on election day as Australians await winner
Millions of Australians have cast their votes in the federal election, with polls closed in the eastern states and counting soon under way.
Singapore’s long-ruling party on track to win election
Preliminary vote counting shows the long-ruling People's Action Party has won another landslide in Singapore's general election.
Coalition look to pick up pieces after election blowout
The search is on for a new Liberal leader after Peter Dutton lost his seat, as the coalition comes to terms with its devastating whitewash at the ballot box.