Treasurer Scott Morrison has accused the big banks of having a "whinge" over the government's new levy but has also sought to reassure them he has no plans to lift the impost any further.

• EXCLUSIVE

The Commonwealth public service is beginning a push toward gender-neutral bathrooms at its Canberra headquarters, to foster greater inclusiveness of transgender and intersex employees.

• EXCLUSIVE

Notorious US white supremacist Mike Enoch has announced plans to visit Australia for an alt-right conference.

It was supposed to be a crucial pillar of the government's border protection policy: so why has the legislation disappeared?

A "cyber weapon" originally belonging to the US National Security Agency has caused devastation in the wrong hands.

"In this world, there are things that you'd like to go and there are things that you've got to do."

When Garth Camac found out a former soldier was threatening to kill himself, he hit the phones, summoned the cavalry and saved his life.

Three senior Queensland senators could be forced out of their seats by the next election, with momentum building for generational change that would shake up the Sunshine State's Senate ticket.

When we send people to war, we ask they prepare themselves to kill or die to defend the nation. But what happens when they return?

The government's hopes overhauling school funding have received a boost.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's proposed $7.8 billion Medicare levy rise looks set to stall in the Senate, with Labor, the Greens and the crossbench all flagging concerns about the hit to low-income earners.

A permanent tax rate of almost 50 per cent for top earning Australians is on the cards as the government looks to negotiate with Labor and the Senate cross bench to fill fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

In one instance, $1.1m in provisions for a military exercise was paid for with a credit card, resulting in more than $18k in interest.

Kim Beazley says the Turnbull government should grant a request for more troops to be sent to war-torn Afghanistan.

Outgoing defence boss Dennis Richardson warns of first signs of extremist influence in Indonesian politics.

The first serous poll since the big-spending budget reveals the Coalition still trails the Labor opposition.

Nearly two years since his election, Tony Smith is widely judged to run a relatively fair-handed and effective regime.

"We have been asked to consider additional resources, and we are actively considering that".

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called on Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to rein in his 'public posturing' over federal infrastructure funding to the state, and has offered to meet to resolve the dispute.

Australia's most infamous Islamic State fighter Neil Prakash, who helped plot a series of foiled terror attacks, could be extradited to face a Melbourne court within months.

Federal opposition remains determined to try to win political argument about budget fairness.

The Turnbull government's signature company tax cut will cost $15 billion more than the initial $50 billion estimate.

• Obituary

Celebrated ABC broadcaster debated with family and friends what his final message to the world should be.

This man sacrificed his health in service to his country. Now he says he's about to be repaid with a tax raid on his invalidity benefits.

But Auditor-General finds education minister broke no rules by not using competitive tendering.

Australia's five biggest banks may launch mining tax-style campaign against 'fast and loose' tax.

University fee repayment changes and rise in Medicare levy to hit below-average wage earners.

• ANALYSIS

The federal budget is a rare opportunity to introduce big, bold decisions. Here are 9 ideas the Turnbull government missed.

Minister says public didn't miss Fairfax's 'left-leaning' journalists during protest over cuts.