Australian customs officials destroyed two irreplaceable plant specimens that were being loaned to scientists by international institutions, prompting one of the institutions to suspend all transfers to Australian scientists.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has resisted calls to sack Yassmin Abdel-Magied from a government advisory board.

Controversial former Labor leader Mark Latham has joined the Liberal Democrats, sparking speculation a return to politics might be on the cards.

Alan Tudge won't be investigated over the release of Centrelink information.

Labor leader Bill Shorten has accused the Turnbull government of lying to parents.

An empty block or a house with a "functional kitchen" is what home buyers can get for $1 million in Sydney according to NSW Labor Senator Sam Dastyari.

Labor leader Bill Shorten has agreed the party's new ad requires more diversity after it was mocked on social media for being blinded by the white. 

The government spent $423 million on travel last financial year, with Defence topping the pile.

• COMMENT

Senator Mitch Fifield has announced a media reforms policy that should have been delivered 10 years ago.

PM has seized on the "bitter resentment" North Korea had recently expressed against China.

Iron ore's tough week has robbed Treasurer Scott Morrison of a rare budget tailwind for as the commodity surge at the start of the year turns into a slump.

• ANALYSIS

Nothing could diminish the mutual lovefest as Donald Trump and Malcolm Turnbull marked the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea in New York.

'Here's a university professor ... and she fell as far and landed as hard as anyone': Andrew Wilkie.

The relief high-income earners gain from the debt levy being axed may be very short-lived as the Turnbull government considers higher health taxes.

Ending the freeze on Medicare rebates for doctor visits could be paid for by raising taxes on high-income earners.

The federal MP has waded into a 73-year-old man's fight to avoid deportation from Australia.

Simon Birmingham has rejected Tony Abbott's claim that the coalition is "on a loser" if its disadvantages Catholic schools.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Thursday in New York began in workmanlike fashion before a soiree where he was expected to sing the praises of the US-Australia relationship.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has had a busy morning in Manhattan ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump.

In the leaders' first meeting Malcolm Turnbull will be carrying a box from the Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, near Canberra.

Tony Abbott has predicted Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull could dump a controversial education funding reform, telling a group of private school children south of Perth the government would be "on a loser" if it looked like disadvantaging Catholic schools.

Labor has not settled on a figure for schools funding despite attacking the Turnbull government over its new deal.

Simon Birmingham has brushed off a protest against the government's education changes.

A key target in overseas foreign aid was missed last financial year.

Students have tried students to occupy the Prime Minister's electoral office in protest at proposed higher education cuts.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop believes Donald Trump and Malcolm Turnbull don't have to become best friends, but she expects they will find a lot in common.

Tony Abbott has called accused political leaders of not doing enough to promote "Australian values".

A remarkable deal between the Coalition and the Greens has emerged as the most achievable and likely way for the Turnbull government to pass its new school funding model into law by next year.

ATO makes historic concession while signs of a truce emerge in Human Services' long war.