Turnbull ducks questions on penalty rate cut

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has refused to say whether he supports the Fair Work Commission's decision to cut penalty rates for hundreds of thousands of Australian workers, instead backing the independence of the body and indicating the government backs a transition that softens the blow for workers.

Inquiry stops short of recommending major changes to race hate laws

The outcome leaves Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with an unclear path forward.

Malcolm Turnbull blames Tony Abbott for government's poll slump

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has laid the blame for the government's drop in the polls squarely at the feet of Tony Abbott, describing the former leader's "outburst" last week as a calculated and deliberate attack to undermine confidence in the Coalition.

Shorten enjoys 'warm and productive' meeting with Netanyahu

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has conveyed Labor's concern about Israel's construction of settlements in occupied territories to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a meeting he described as "warm and productive".

'I had the courage not just to give speeches, but to act': Turnbull on Abbott

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he will not be distracted by Tony Abbott's "latest outburst" and most direct attack on the government to date, defending his record of achievement and portraying the backbencher as a hypocrite who was unable to govern effectively when he was leader.

Labor MPs call for recognition of Palestinian statehood

• EXCLUSIVE

A group of federal Labor MPs have urged Australian recognition of a Palestinian state, echoing the high-profile interventions of party elders ahead of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

'They get themselves pregnant for the money': Hanson opposes parental leave changes

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has come out against the government's current $4 billion omnibus savings bill, pointing to paid parental leave measures that she says risk abuse by parents who will have children purely to get the payments.

Big business backs four-year parliamentary term plan

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has reiterated his support for the introduction of four-year, fixed parliamentary terms following the preparation of legislation to bring about the constitutional change.

Pyne dismisses talk of Christensen resignation as 'a beat up'

The government has dismissed reports that maverick Coalition backbencher George Christensen drafted a resignation letter and has threatened to "go rogue".