The former Family First senator first said he would resign on October 17, after his failing building company was placed in liquidation. He then delayed his resignation and said he would seek to vote with the government in the final three weeks of Parliament for 2016. On Tuesday, Mr Day's resignation brought to a head concerns about a potential breach of section 44(v) of the constitution, relating to an indirect pecuniary interest over the ownership of Mr Day's electorate office in Adelaide.

The Senate is back in the news. But how much do you really know about what it does, and who is in it? 

Public Service Commissioner Lloyd accused of challenging ABC's independence.

A new report by Australian investigators into the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 suggests the aircraft's flaps were not extended when it crashed, effectively ruling out the possibility of a controlled descent into the Indian Ocean.

ABC chairman lashes out at the Turnbull government, accusing it of posing a "fundamental challenge to the independence of the ABC".

The Turnbull government has defended its handling of questions about former Family First senator Bob Day's eligibility to serve in Parliament, after receiving expert legal advice last week.

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Kevin Rudd has ripped into Malcolm Turnbull over the government's new asylum seeker laws.

Another rejection of Coalition's industrial policy

The Turnbull government's ability to negotiate controversial legislation through the Senate has been thrown into doubt.

A 'disappointed' Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion says he won't make way for former prime minister Tony Abbott.

The United Nations says it is "profoundly concerned" about the Coalition's proposed lifetime ban on refugees returning to Australia, moves which Malcolm Turnbull says are necessary to protect humanity. 

"Only the discipline of the cabinet can completely align Abbott with his own avowed mission, the re-election of this government."

Trying to work out whether legislation can pass the finely balanced Senate? Use our interactive to find out.

Bob Day has resigned from the Senate for the second time in a fortnight, leaving the Turnbull Government short one critical vote for its plan to reintroduce the building industry watchdog.

The Coalition's latest hardline immigration push and a renewed focus on Queensland isn't a response to strong One Nation polling, according to Transport Minister Darren Chester.

Health Minister Sussan Ley has denied the government's new ban on asylum seekers ever settling in Australia will apply to people currently living in Australia.

Safer car seats for children, better solar cells, high-performance batteries for electric cars and disease resistant crops could be in Australia's future as researchers get government funding.

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Trove of government documents uncovers a decision Labor claims to be a "misuse of public money".

Morrison tries to turn up the heat on ABC as staffers say government is "out-of-line".

The locals hung back, not quite believing the prime minister was in town, mostly unsure of what to say.

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"He's earning the praise of Pauline Hanson - I hope he's proud of that".

"Also, all the jihadists here! Surely, this crap must stop! Shut the door NOW! Do we NEED these people?"

David Leyonhjelm calls Derryn Hinch "a dumb heap of parrot droppings". 

Laws would prevent a refugee who was on Manus Island or Nauru and subsequently resettled in a country like New Zealand from being able to fly to Australia.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says a cashless welfare card could be rolled out to more communities across the country.

Mr Robb has been urged to explain his 'cosy' appointment.

Refugees who sought asylum by boat will be banned from ever setting foot in Australia, even for the purposes of tourism or business, in a dramatic escalation of Australia's hard-line immigration policy.

Immigration Department's 13,500 public servants prepare for a high-stakes ballot beginning Monday morning.

The government's proposal to wind back paid parental leave is doomed after Senate crossbench powerbrokers the Nick Xenophon Team were forced to rule out support because of an election commitment.