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.
parliament
World-first laws curtailing vape sales pass parliament
Vapes will only be able to be sold over the counter at pharmacies under world-leading reforms passed by federal parliament.
Vilification concern as senator iced for Palestine vote
The prime minister requested Fatima Payman temporarily sit out of Labor's caucus after she defied the party position and supported a pro-Palestine motion.
How a mother’s death from tsunami birthed an activist
Listening to local elders after a tsunami in Samoa killed her mother, Steph Hodgins-May went from environmental lawyer to senator to fight for climate justice.
Labor senator crosses floor for Palestine, risks exile
A defiant Fatima Payman voted in line with her convictions to support Palestinian statehood as she risked her spot as a Labor senator to do so.
Anger as pay soars to $709,000 for new governor-general
Sam Mostyn will get a salary more than 40 per cent higher than that of her predecessor when she becomes the next Australian governor-general.
Bad Guinness and Tina Turner tix: freebies for senators
Malcolm Turnbull's memoir, non-alcoholic beer tasting like "watered-down Marmite" and a party mix bag have all been declared as freebies received by senators.
Nuclear showdown set to atomise federal parliament
Heated debates over nuclear reactors, energy bills and the cost of living will ignite Parliament House as both houses return for the sitting week.
Bulk-billing hope with GP deal to end tax stand-off
Fears of shuttered GP clinics or more patients being slugged with gap payments have been allayed, but there's concern over the overall NSW health budget.
Home-building surge in tight budget of ‘must-haves’
Record spending on social housing has headlined the Minns government's second budget as the NSW treasurer blames GST changes for rolling deficits.
Corruption watchdog won’t go after robodebt officials
A federal corruption watchdog has opted not to investigate senior public servants responsible for the unlawful robodebt scheme.
Fight over Israel, Gaza rhetoric as aid request lingers
Politicians are blaming each other for stoking community tensions over the war in Gaza as the Albanese government mulls a request for aid.
PM, Dutton condemn Greens on electorate office protests
Major parties have united in attacking the Greens for stoking tensions on the Middle East conflict after electorate offices have been subject to protests.
Calls to shut down AI porn apps as sharing criminalised
People who create or share deepfake pornography will face jail under new laws, but some think the government could do more to stop the dehumanising activity.
Immigration brouhaha rumbles on as Dutton hits out
With the Labor government poised to update a controversial immigration direction, Peter Dutton has deflected attacks on his record as immigration minister.
Immigration minister walks back drones monitoring claim
A federal minister says he was relying on information from his department when he claimed drones were used to monitor released detainees.
Palestinian visas in the lurch as recognition bid fails
Parliamentarians are calling on the government to give Palestinians the same visa rights as Ukrainians as a bid to recognise a state fell flat in parliament.
Coal, gas communities should not be left behind: PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says communities with power stations that are closing down need to be supported as part of the transition to net-zero.
Fuel efficiency standards secured in Labor-Greens deal
A political deal on offshore gas projects has paved the way for new vehicle standards, with cars and utes sold from 2025 to have stricter conditions attached.
Nation’s only Liberal government suffers first-day loss
Tasmania's minority Liberal government has lost the position of Speaker on the first day of parliament since the state election in March.
Immigrants to face jail if they refuse deportation
Laws aimed at pre-empting a new High Court challenge have cleared the first hurdle, as Labor rushes through measures making it easier to deport asylum seekers.
Call for e-bike and e-scooter restrictions, EV training
An inquiry is exploring if new rules are needed to safely operate electric and hybrid cars but it's two-wheeled vehicles that are getting the most attention.
Nearly $1 million in funding for festival pill testing
The Queensland government will invest nearly $1 million over two years to fund pill testing after the deaths of two festival goers.
Dress-up party says price to pay if cash no longer king
Standing defiant in fake fur robes, holding toy swords and with plastic crowns on their heads, a political party declares war on a cashless society.
Grandfather’s death sparks family demand for action
The family of a grandfather who died in hospital says it was a result of medical failings and has called for answers from the Queensland government.
Forensic institute created to end state’s DNA bungles
Queensland will get a forensic science institute following recommendations from two commissions of inquiry into the state's troubled DNA lab.
Grieving family takes aim at govt after fatal stabbing
The family of a grandmother fatally stabbed outside a shopping centre has taken aim at the Queensland government, saying it is failing on youth crime.
Midwives win on patient ratios as health reforms pass
Laws that assist with patient ratios and allow contemporary trained midwives to administer pregnancy termination medicine have passed Queensland parliament.
Miles fed up with political point scoring over tragedy
Queensland's premier says he is 'sick' of the politicisation of tragedies in state parliament for political point scoring.
Coercive control criminalised in landmark legislation
More than four years after the murder of Hannah Clarke and her children, coercive control has become a criminal offence in Queensland under landmark laws.
Opposition member admits taking photo of MP’s phone
A member of the opposition has apologised in Queensland parliament for taking a photo of an MP's phone showing a text message from Premier Steven Miles.