Tom McIlroy is a political reporter for Fairfax Media in the federal press gallery at Parliament House.
Labor will vote against the Turnbull government's plan to impose a lifetime ban on refugees and asylum seekers who arrive by boat from entering Australia, throwing doubt over whether the controversial plan can pass the Parliament.
Senate crossbenchers Jacqui Lambie and Pauline Hanson look set to propose three controversial plebiscite questions to coincide with the next federal election, on same-sex marriage, Indigenous recognition in the constitution and voluntary euthanasia.
New divisions within the Coalition have emerged over the place of Islam in Australia, as controversial Queensland MP George Christensen accused a Victorian colleague of being part of Parliament's "elitist set".
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has attacked ABC TV's Barrie Cassidy, challenging the Insiders host over comments about Labor's record on treatment of asylum seekers and refugees in offshore detention.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has given his strongest indication yet Labor will oppose a lifetime visa ban on former refugees and asylum seekers, describing the move as "ludicrous" and unfair.
The Australian Federal Police will spend $40 million to further fortify its facilities in Australia's capital cities, amid increasing fears of improvised explosive devices and car and truck attacks.
Streamlining complaints under controversial provisions of the Human Rights Act would avoid long delays in cases like cartoonist Bill Leak and students at the Queensland University of Technology, Liberal backbench newcomer Julian Leeser said on Friday.
Firebrand One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has gone to ground amid a push to oust West Australian senator Rod Culleton from Parliament and fresh warnings the resurgent party could come unstuck by its own ineffective vetting.
The Turnbull government's legislative agenda looks to be in limbo as potential High Court challenges against two senators hold up the introduction of key industrial relations legislation.
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