Questions have been raised about Liberal MP David Gillespie's ownership of a shopping complex in Port Macquarie.

The PM has carefully sidestepped questions about what action Australia might take against the regime.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has backed away from a key argument for rolling Tony Abbott in 2015, denying that consistent poor polling should represent a trigger for a leadership challenge.

The government says it stands by its franchise exploitation crackdown despite the campaign led by a former Liberal minister.

Australian Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne has used speech in the United States to talk up the Australian-US military alliance and its ability "to deter our adversaries".

US Vice President Mike Pence will visit Australia later this month for meetings with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

Tony Abbott took little part in defence of two state seats located inside his federal electorate.

Federal government says terrorists could target Anzac Day commemorations in Turkey. 

Australia well placed to power booming Indian economy because of natural resources, PM says.

Treasurer launched attack on big business for not doing enough to support company tax cut plan.

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In a rare public intervention, Bernie Fraser has told Fairfax Media that Australia is approaching a "danger point".

Some officials will read the review but will have to return their copies, underlying the sensitivity of its findings.

Australia is a step closer to a free trade deal with the European Union, after finally reaching agreement on what such a deal might cover on Thursday.

The Turnbull government is considering pursuing dumped senators Bob Day and Rod Culleton to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars to taxpayers.

Pauline and James are 15,000 feet above the outback desert, perched in the tiny cockpit of a Jabiru 230-D.

But 'operation Tetris' is getting results, says Finance Minister Mathias Cormann.

Australia has backed an independent investigation into the Syrian government's role in deadly chemical weapons attacks.

Universities commit to releasing data on sexual assaults on their campuses after concerns were raised.

The Liberal Party's federal director Tony Nutt has quit ahead of what is expected to be a critical review of the last federal campaign, in which the Coalition scraped home with a one-seat victory. 

"Banks understand that they are swimming against the tide of powerful global forces that can be extremely exhausting and dispiriting".

Former Family First senator Bob Day was ineligible due to an inappropriate pecuniary interest with the Commonwealth.

Treasurer Scott Morrison is eyeing a $4 billion bonus from booming iron ore and coal prices, a month out from the May 9 budget, and is likely to plow it back into reducing the federal deficit.

"As prime minister I was never popular, but it's amazing how quickly people forget."

 As the Fitzroy River inches closer to a nine-metre peak that will swamp Queensland homes and businesses, 1500 kilometres away in Canberra, hundreds of Centrelink staff are swinging into action.

Defence bosses hope 6 per cent in 18 months will tempt their workers, but the battle at Human Services rages on.

Former envoy warns removing the Syrian dictator in response to his latest attack would exacerbate chaos.

"Quite frankly there are worse people than Assad and you simply don't know what you'd get if he were to be replaced".

Labor demands a major IT review as Taylor turns to banking sector to get digital transformation back on track.

Treasurer Scott Morrison has hit back at suggestions the government should tighten tax breaks for investors to improve housing affordability in Australia, arguing increased supply is the best way to manage the problem.