Half of our 12,000 refugees to be settled by just one Sydney council

Fairfield City Council, which welcomed 3000 humanitarian arrivals last year, has been told to expect the same again.

Keating condemns US secretary of state nominee's South China Sea

Former prime minister Paul Keating has rounded on the incoming US secretary of state Rex Tillerson, accusing him of threatening to bring on war with China by making "ludicrous" comments on the tense South China Sea dispute.

Ciobo defends MPs' taxpayer-funded attendance at sport events

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo has argued the case for politicians to attend sporting events on the taxpayer dime, describing it as the kind of activity that voters expect.

Rod Culleton's last-ditch effort to stay in the Senate

Former senator Rodney Culleton has mounted an eleventh-hour effort to save his parliamentary career, seeking to appeal a Federal Court decision that rendered him bankrupt and demanding Senate President Stephen Parry immediately withdraw his declaration of a vacancy.

Government to pursue rule changes to MPs' expenses in 'first half of 2017'

Calls for reform of the parliamentary entitlements system have again intensified following the latest expenses scandal, which has centred around Health Minister Sussan Ley's Gold Coast travel. 

Sussan Ley travel scandal: Who is Sarina Russo?

When it comes to the employment and training sector, the names do not get any bigger than Sarina Russo.

Socialists to blame for Ley standing down: Bronwyn Bishop

Former speaker Bronwyn Bishop has jumped to the defence of Sussan Ley, accusing socialists of tearing her down and arguing that double standards exist for women and men in politics.

'No apology': Government doubles down on Centrelink debt clawback

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has said the government makes 'no apology' for pursuing people's debts as it continues to face the furore surrounding Centrelink's troubled $4.5 billion debt recovery mission.

Burney seeks audit office probe into Centrelink debt clawback

• EXCLUSIVE

Linda Burney, Labor's human services spokeswoman, has written to the Australian National Audit Office requesting they investigate Centrelink's controversial $4.5 billion debt clawback project amid ongoing concerns it is unfairly targeting people and miscalculating bills.