Power prices, energy security, emissions cuts - and carbon pricing - on the table in climate review

A long-awaited review of Australia's climate policies could recommend a form of carbon pricing for power companies, but will focus on electricity price rises, energy security and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, according to Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg.

Treasurers' housing summit to focus on cheaper rentals

Housing supply and more affordable rentals will be top of the agenda when Treasurer Scott Morrison and his state counterparts meet in Canberra on Friday.

Question time suspended after mass protest shuts down House of Representatives

They chanted "close the camps" and accused the Coalition and Labor of being world leaders in cruelty.

Leaked cabinet papers warn secret visa overhaul would create 'two-tier society'

• EXCLUSIVE

Documents obtained by Fairfax Media and marked "sensitive" and "protected" reveal details of the proposed overhaul.

Xenophon water backdown clears the way to ABCC win for Turnbull

A stunning back down by the Nick Xenophon Team senators over water policy has cleared the way for the Turnbull government to claim a year-ending Senate victory that would see the construction watchdog re-instated.

Turnbull deflects reshuffle talk amid concerns over Pyne-Payne jobs

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has hosed down - but not ruled out - a reshuffle of his frontbench, amid speculation in Coalition ranks that some personnel changes are in the offing.

ABCC deal inches closer as backpacker tax accord is landed

The Turnbull Government is confident of striking a final week deal to re-establish the construction industry watch dog, more than three years after Tony Abbott promised to deliver the policy.

Morrison's backpacker tax backdown costs budget $120m

The federal government has dumped the proposed 19 per cent backpacker tax rate and will instead do a compromise deal on a 15 per cent rate.

PM's final week agenda in doubt as Xenophon makes threats over water

Malcolm Turnbull's political agenda for the final week of parliament could be on hold after a crucial cross bench grouping announced it would not vote for any government bills until a water dispute is resolved.