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The MPs whose names you'll know by the end of 2017
Politics is an occupation increasingly concerned with personalities as much as it is with policies.
James Massola is chief political reporter in the Canberra bureau. He was a Walkley finalist in 2015 and has worked in the federal press gallery for eight years, including stints for The Australian Financial Review and The Australian before joining the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Politics is an occupation increasingly concerned with personalities as much as it is with policies.
For Malcolm Turnbull, 2016 has been a year of political compromises, dashed expectations and the occasional policy win.
When people switch on the television news, or open a newspaper or website, invariably the story of the day in federal politics is reported as one politician besting the other, or putting the other in his or her place.
If the prime minister and his government are to properly revive their fortunes in 2017 they need to become a whole lot better.
There is blame enough for all sides in this ridiculous stand-off. Meanwhile, same-sex couples are left in limbo, altar in sight but out of reach.
It was the lie that defined the 2016 election campaign, slashed Malcolm Turnbull's majority by 14 seats and almost propelled Bill Shorten to victory.
The Turnbull government needs to wake up to itself, fast.
Labor caught out the Coalition government at the end of a fractious first week in the 45th parliament, using smart tactics and parliamentary procedure to severely embarrass Malcolm Turnbull.
Malcolm Turnbull is a man under pressure.
Deal making is alive and well in politics.
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