Optus in government’s sights as parliament returns
Telco execs, the communications minister, government bureaucrats and the opposition leader will face tough questions when federal parliament returns.
parliament
Newest NSW senator ‘as Queenslander as Wally Lewis’
An adviser to Pauline Hanson who lives in Queensland will become a NSW senator after his residency sparks a rare debate.
Bitter pill as drug testing is outlawed
Pill testing has been banned in Queensland after strict new laws were passed in parliament by the state government.
France’s Macron seeks new PM after government’s fall
France's government has toppled in a confidence vote, a new crisis that obliges President Emmanuel Macron to search for his fifth prime minister in two years.
Big fines for breaches as childcare workers ‘drowning’
Fines will more than double for childcare breaches in one state, but a union says "drowning" educators are quitting due to low pay and intense pressure.
Thailand’s Anutin elected PM after rout of ruling rival
Political veteran Anutin Charnvirakul has easily won a vote against Thailand's once-dominant ruling party to become the turmoil-hit nation's new prime minister.
Japan’s PM resigns after bruising election losses
Japanese leader Shigeru Ishiba, who has faced a split within his ruling party, has pitched the world's fourth-largest economy into fresh political uncertainty.
Australia’s deportation deal with Nauru to cost $2.5b
Australia's deal with Nauru to deport ex-immigration detainees will cost taxpayers up to $2.5 billion over three decades, a parliamentary committee was told.
‘You’re a racist’: Bob Katter raises fist at reporter
Bob Katter has threatened to punch a journalist after being asked about his Lebanese heritage in the lead-up to anti-migration rallies across the country.
Defiant Indonesian students gather for protests
After a week of protests that turned deadly, hundreds of Indonesian students have returned to the streets despite a heavy security presence.
Victims’ Commissioner resigns after DV hotline debacle
A state's Victims' Commissioner has resigned after damning findings from a review into a domestic violence helpline.
Property owners busted living in social housing
Property owners and high-income earners have been caught out living in public housing in a government review of tenancies.
Successor search goes on as recruits farewell top cop
A woman caught up in a mass stabbing is among probationary constables welcomed to the nation's biggest police force by its trailblazing retiring commissioner.
‘Bizarre’ push to drop net zero sets up coalition clash
An effort to repeal the net zero emissions target has highlighted internal opposition divisions over climate change as Labor is urged to do more.
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.
‘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.