Consultant alleges ex-MP Stuart Robert took kickbacks
A consulting company sought ex-Liberal MP Stuart Robert's help to win federal government contracts, evidence released under parliamentary privilege shows.
parliament
More pollies good for democracy, electoral experts say
Electoral experts say lifting the number of politicians would improve democracy but remain undecided on whether territories should have more senators.
‘Get on with the program’: PM’s blunt housing message
A stoush over Labor's $10 billion housing fund has boiled over in parliament, with the prime minister sending a direct message to the Greens.
Senate inquiry adds to scrutiny of Perth Mint fumbles
Perth Mint faces a Senate inquiry on top of an audit and compliance overhaul amid longstanding issues and controversies including gold bars alloyed with silver.
‘Juvenile’: PM seeks advice as housing policy stalls
The prime minister says the government is seeking advice on the triggers required for a double dissolution after the Greens delayed a key housing bill.
‘Culture of cover-up’: Lambie refers ADF brass to Hague
Senator Jacqui Lambie has referred senior leaders within the ADF to the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.
‘Tough choices’ for NSW amid per-capita recession worry
NSW families are being warned about tough decisions that must be made on government spending as inflation bites the country's largest employer.
Ex-Liberal Van loses Senate role amid misconduct claims
Former Liberal senator David Van has been stripped of a position and is not expected to attend parliament this week following sexual harassment allegations.
‘Axis of evil’: Housing bill delayed amid fiery debate
Debate on the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund has been pushed back until October in a major blow to the government.
Voice referendum cleared with fiery debate and applause
Australians will vote in a referendum later this year to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and enshrine an Indigenous voice in the constitution.
Push to stop ‘arms race’ in federal election spending
Addressing record high election spending, donor transparency and introducing donation caps are among a wishlist of reforms to improve integrity in politics.
Indigenous senators speak out as referendum takes shape
Parliament has all but passed laws setting up the Indigenous voice referendum, as senators debate the final form the public vote will take.
Former senator accuses Van of inappropriate touching
Former senator Amanda Stoker has accused Senator David Van of inappropriately touching her during a parliamentary gathering.
Voice would be nothing but window dressing: Thorpe
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has hit out against the voice referendum, saying the body would be a powerless advisory group.
Queensland Speaker steps aside after slurred return
Queensland parliamentary Speaker Curtis Pitt will step aside for a second time amid growing concerns for his health while denying alcohol was involved.
Voice shouldn’t be treated as political issue: senator
Moderate Liberal Andrew Bragg has hit out at opponents of the voice for saying it would bring race into the constitution.
Greens hammer demands as Labor pitches housing shift
The government is proposing changes to its $10 billion housing fund but the Greens say Labor is still not moving on its two key needs.
AFP to investigate leaked Higgins messages, recordings
The attorney-general has confirmed text messages and recordings of Brittany Higgins leaked to the media have been referred to the Australian Federal Police.
Minister Gallagher rejects claims she misled parliament
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says she did not reveal private information about Brittany Higgins' rape allegations as she denies misleading parliament.
Support for Indigenous voice slips to losing position
People in favour of enshrining an Indigenous voice in the constitution are in the minority for the first time, according to one survey.
Housing, voice key issues for federal parliament
Federal parliament is set to sit over the next fortnight to finalise the Indigenous voice referendum as debate continues on a Labor housing pledge.
Voice to hit road as first vote gets wheels spinning
The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted for laws to set up the Indigenous voice referendum, triggering the next phase of campaigning.
RBA warms to another rate hike as inflation keeps heat
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has flagged several reasons to be worried about inflation as the monthly consumer price comes in higher than expected.
Treasury boss coy on future direction of PwC action
The head of Treasury has told a Senate estimates hearing he cannot comment in detail on action being taken against PwC because it may impact on a police probe.
PwC narrowly dodged criminal probe five years earlier
Investigations into the PwC scandal started as early as 2016 when the tax office noticed multinationals restructuring their affairs to work around new laws.
Greens seek to release list of names in PwC tax leak
A Greens attempt to publicly release a list of names of people the party says were involved in the PwC tax leak has been temporarily stymied pending advice.
PwC staff involved in tax leak cut from public work
Troubled consultancy firm PwC has promised to keep any staff involved with the tax leak scandal away from Commonwealth contracts.
PM makes plea to opponents to back Indigenous voice
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged coalition MPs to back the Indigenous voice to parliament, saying the body would provide meaningful action.
Indigenous voice an ‘unknown risk’: ex-PM Morrison
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has spoken out against the Indigenous voice in federal parliament, calling it an unknown risk.
Dutton labels referendum a ‘reckless roll of the dice’
The proposed Indigenous voice to parliament would be an "overcorrection", the opposition leader told parliament during a debate ahead of this year's referendum.
Dutton accused of ‘using race’ to score votes on voice
The Greens have the federal opposition leader in the firing line as debate continues on the Indigenous voice in federal parliament.