Abortion is part of an "anti-life agenda" led by the United Nations, One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts told a pro-life rally in the stifling Brisbane sun on Saturday afternoon.

Maverick government MP George Christensen has defended his attendance at a controversial anti-Islam function in Melbourne, saying he was there to push back against the "erosion of free speech" in Australia.

• ANALYSIS

Pointing our solar panels in the wrong direction is only one quirk in our strained energy system.

Two Sydney Morning Herald reporters attended a fundraising dinner for the Q society on Thursday night.

The Prime Minister has been a long-standing advocate of a binding vote for shareholders on executive pay.

"I said I don't mind if our modern leaders are gay, I just wish that they would build the infrastructure."

Can Cory Bernardi capitalise on growing divisions in Australia, or is he simply splintering the conservative vote?

• EXCLUSIVE

Cory Bernardi and George Christensen are due to appear at the group's next fundraiser.

About 100 trees lining St Kilda Road facing the chop to make way the Metro Rail project have been granted emergency heritage protection by the Turnbull government.

Private health insurance premiums have jumped by more than 50 per cent in less than a decade, with family policies now costing up to $5000 a year.

Industrial action on hold as Centrelink and staff union agree to more talks.

The politically-sensitive issue of school funding has been discussed repeatedly in cabinet over recent months.

The Turnbull government's recent embrace of coal-fired power shows it has "abandoned all pretense of taking global warming seriously", prompting Clive Hamilton to resign as a member of the Climate Change Authority.

Treasurer Scott Morrison has seized on Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe's praise for the Coalition's proposed $50 billion in company tax cuts, saying his comments demonstrate Labor's opposition is "completely untenable".

Pressure on Myanmar grows after UN report which cited more than 200 witnesses and survivors to mass rapes, murders, and forced disappearances.

The PM is a former managing director of merchant bank Goldman Sachs in Australia, but has consistently spoken out about excessive executive salaries.

The cost of private health insurance for Australian families will increase by as much as $200 after the federal government approved plans by funds to increase premiums by nearly 5 per cent from April.

Malcolm Turnbull says Russian president Vladimir Putin is not a role model for the world.

NSW faces biggest test of the summer, with soaring temperatures set to bring "catastrophic" fire conditions to some areas.

Pauline Hanson's admiration for Vladimir Putin remains undiminished, with the Senator shrugging off criticism of Russia's alleged role in the death of 38 Australians on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 by commenting that "everyone has done something".

• EXCLUSIVE

Foreign Minister tells China that she doesn't take seriously the Trump administration's threat.

A group of Australian Christian church leaders has urged the Federal Government to provide more visas to persecuted minorities in Syria and Iraq,  including Christian groups and Yazidiis, an ancient Persian group. 

Victoria and NSW have been warned they could follow South Australia in being hit by electricity blackouts in years ahead unless Canberra comes up with a bipartisan national plan to deal with energy and climate change.

Independent inspections at youth prisons or immigration detention centres will be permitted after the Turnbull government pledged to ratify a United Nations treaty in a bid to stamp out torture.

A resurgent Malcolm Turnbull has accused Labor of being "drunk on left ideology" as he capitalised on another serious blackout in South Australia to defend gas and coal-fired generation while slamming Labor's rush to solar and wind power for the failure.

Public servants' strike action over "robo-debt" debacle illegal, say Centrelink bosses.

Greens, Labor join the chorus of opposition to relocation policy.

A Coalition senator is threatening to vote against his own government's plan to axe the notorious Life Gold Pass.

Papua New Guinea has begun forced deportations from Australia's offshore detention centre on Manus Island, attempting to remove two failed Nepalese asylum seekers from the island early Thursday morning, according to advocates.