Kat in the hat scores half-century as a politician
A stalwart of federal parliament and one of its most well-known figures, Bob Katter has marked a half-century in public office.
parliament
‘Line in the sand’: Lidia Thorpe barred from parliament
Lidia Thorpe has been suspended from parliament after the senator she threw pieces of paper at Pauline Hanson, in a move described a "line in the sand".
Suspension, censure ‘badges of honour’: Lidia Thorpe
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has refused to back down, capping off her parliamentary year by staring down her suspension and taunting the Senate.
Veteran Liberal senator retires to seek ‘new direction’
Simon Birmingham has made a heartfelt speech to colleagues as the Liberal called time on his 17-year Senate career to pursue a "commercially oriented" future.
Deportation, travel ban and dogs in detention laws pass
Three migration bills giving the government extensive powers to deport non-citizens and bar entry to Australia for some nationalities have passed the Senate.
Tech giant concern as social media ban passes
The parent company for Facebook has hit out at a looming ban on under 16s for social media, labelling the process as rushed.
Hurdles remain for Labor despite year-ending wins
Despite notching up several wins to round out 2024, the federal government still has more issues to deal with after the summer break.
Pressure on PM to ram through agenda in final sitting
The federal government has a laundry list of policy promises to push through before the next election, but it looks unlikely to get much done before 2024 ends.
Election money reforms dubbed a ‘major-party stitch-up’
Independent MPs have blasted proposed electoral laws capping expenditure, saying while they agree with reform, the way it's being done favours major parties.
Premier plays musical chairs with prized cabinet spots
Premier David Crisafulli has unveiled the Liberal National Party's first Queensland cabinet in almost a decade, revealing major frontbench changes.
Premier promises to release secret corruption reports
The votes are still being tallied but Queensland's newly-sworn in premier is already making big moves, vowing to release secret corruption reports.
Interstate ferry fiasco claims Liberal deputy leader
The deputy premier of Tasmania's minority Liberal government has resigned from cabinet over ferry delays and cost blowouts.
New deputy premier picked as cabinet reshuffle looms
A political veteran and former senator has been appointed deputy premier of Tasmania's minority Liberal government, as the party searches for a new treasurer.
PM’s early election warning labelled an ’empty threat’
The prime minister has threatened a double dissolution over resistance to his government's housing policy but experts don't think this will benefit his party.
Liberals to double debt, delay budget surplus
The Tasmanian Liberal government's 2024/25 budget has pushed back a projected surplus and forecast net debt to double in four years.
Plenty of pots left to stir for this retiring pollie
Labor MP Graham Perrett is retiring from politics but the firebrand Queenslander has not finished stirring the pot in parliament.
Australia’s first parliament marks 200th anniversary
August 25 marks exactly 200 years since the inaugural meeting of NSW Parliament's Upper House, making it Australia's first parliament.
Former PM’s daughter becomes youngest-ever Thai leader
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of divisive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, has won the backing of parliament to become Thailand's youngest prime minister.
Construction union takeover to be cemented after deal
All construction divisions of the CFMEU will face a minimum three-year administration period and up to five with serious penalties for non-compliance.
CFMEU crackdown faces delay as negotiations drag
The coalition wants to strengthen Labor laws to take over the CFMEU but the push for an inquiry is being criticised with concerns witnesses won't come forward.
Cost of living, union corruption in focus as MPs return
Labor wants to shift the focus to cost-of-living relief and social action as the coalition heaps pressure on its handling of inflation and national security.
Ministers back benching senator for pro-Palestine vote
Senior ministers have defended Anthony Albanese's decision to temporarily bench a Labor senator for supporting a pro-Palestine motion by crossing the floor.
Payman might cross the floor again despite party rebuke
Labor senator Fatima Payman has been iced out of a partyroom meeting as punishment for crossing the floor but remains unapologetic about her actions.
Push for Indigenous truth-telling amid voice ‘silence’
The Albanese government is being urged to make progress on Indigenous truth-telling with people left "hurting" following the voice referendum defeat.
Lack of action to ban gambling ads ’embarrassing’
Crossbench MPs have reiterated calls to ban gambling advertising, bemoaning a lack of government action one year on from a scathing landmark report.
Gambling reform ongoing, PM says, despite no ad ban
Anthony Albanese insists work is being done to implement reforms to stamp out problem gambling, one year on from a landmark report
Payman ‘exiled’ from Labor after Palestine floor cross
A Labor senator is considering her future after being banned from caucus for crossing the floor in support of Palestinian statehood.
Labor seeks unity as Payman suspension row rumbles on
Labor faces another day of questions over a suspended senator as it pushes through a legislative agenda in the final days of parliament before the winter break.
Coalition plan to break up price-gouging supermarkets
A federal opposition proposal would put divestiture powers in place for supermarkets found to be price-gouging and anti-competitive.
‘Had to call it out’: coalition fight ends as MP sacked
The NSW coalition claims it has sorted out its differences and sacked a Nationals MP who blasted the opposition leader in a controversial social media post.
Labor votes to suspend outspoken pro-Palestine senator
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has officially received Labor's endorsement to suspend Fatima Payman for crossing the floor to support a pro-Palestine motion.