The Turnbull government is set to put the brakes on federal money pouring into "over-funded" private schools in a new deal to take effect next year.

Opposition education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek called for full funding of the Gonski agreement beyond the end of this year.

The Turnbull government is preparing for frenzied negotiations as it seeks to pass the childcare package, company tax cuts and media ownership changes. 

 An Iranian refugee who attempted to seek asylum in Fiji could face criminal charges after being forcibly deported back to Papua New Guinea.

Tony Abbott has delivered a blunt message to the man who replaced him as prime minister.

Tensions within the government over same-sex marriage have erupted again with conservative MPs warning the Prime Minister that allowing a free vote on this issue would be a "betrayal".

Senator Jacqui Lambie has accused unnamed figures within the NSW RSL of trying to drive out the league's chief executive.

• EXCLUSIVE

One of the Liberal Party's top fundraising bodies has quietly begun bankrolling the organisations behind two of the Coalition's biggest crossbench supporters.

New York: The Trump White House has given its clearest public commitment yet that it will honour the refugee agreement made with Australia even as the president's official spokesman got the name of Australia's prime minister wrong for the second day in a row.

Australian and American officials spent Friday scrambling to shore up the US refugee swap deal – and repair damage to the alliance relationship – amid signs that Donald Trump will likely follow through on the agreement with Malcolm Turnbull.

• EXCLUSIVE

The push to allow a free vote is being driven by the backbench, though some cabinet ministers are aware the discussions are under way.

An RSL NSW state councillor who resigned recently on principle over the financial scandal engulfing the league has made a frank admission that "no one of that era is completely exonerated" as the leadership faces a looming grassroots backlash.

How much do government officials really make? Here are some of the best pay packets in government circles.

• EXCLUSIVE

A young Iranian refugee has been forcibly returned to PNG after police intercepted him en route to lodging an asylum claim in Fiji.

The Prime Minister's Office has suspended an administrative staffer amid a storm prompted by a Sydney shock jock.

"Clean coal" plants that the Turnbull government has flagged could get clean energy subsidies are more expensive than solar, wind and gas-fired power and would lead to higher electricity price rises, analysts have warned.

After a protracted legal battle that began almost as soon as he was elected, Rod Culleton's election has been ruled ineligible by the High Court.

ttrump timeline for print only pls

Barnaby Joyce has stepped in to head off a political headache in the government's most marginal seat, as One Nation and Labor capitalise on the fear and confusion brought about by a multi-billion deal to expand Defence Force training grounds in Queensland.

Following a day of embarrassing revelations about US President Donald Trump's phone conversation with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the White House has said it will honour the refugee deal. 

"We have never had a president in my memory who has bullied our friends in this way, especially heads of government."

Former Liberal frontbencher says cutting the bureaucracy would show 'leadership'.

The Turnbull government has been urged to strengthen Australian Federal Police policy to prevent citizens being exposed to the death penalty overseas, as Australia marks 50 years since the last execution in the country.

After being roasted by Donald Trump, experts are calling for Malcolm Turnbull to move the ANZUS alliance beyond worn-out cliches about two nations with shared values and common destiny.

"It feels like someone is stabbing a knife in our chest when we hear different stories every day."

• ANALYSIS

And so, with the advent of Donald Trump's America First presidency, an Australian diplomatic tradition dies.

President Donald Trump has thrown the US-Australia refugee deal into grave doubt with a single post on Twitter.

There were only a handful of witnesses to the conversation Donald Trump and Malcolm Turnbull. So who leaked it?

It should have been one of the most congenial calls for the new commander in chief — a conversation with the leader of Australia, one of America's staunchest allies, at the end of a triumphant week.