Skyrocketing profits for private health insurers have been branded "obscene" by sections of the health industry.

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Two leaders 'respectfully decline' invitations, wary their presence could hinder its success.

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Five major banks told they must sign the agreements to see details of the new $6.2 billion bank levy.

Senator blasts commentators for limiting freedom of 'those who do not conform to their views'.

Only 76 asylum seekers have left processing centre in past year, despite inducements.

Global ratings agency cast doubts over return to surplus, consumer confidence falls and wages stall.

Students who have dropped out of university after an assault refused counselling, advocates say.

NBN Co bean counters fork out $437,000 on taxpayer-funded coffee as 'productivity measure'.

Mining giants warn laws could put local companies at risk and prevent them from taking up new investments overseas.

Standard and Poor's confirms AAA rating but leaves the nation on negative watch.

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The Western Australian Liberals have set out a hardline shopping list of demands they want from Malcolm Turnbull.

Greg Hywood was also forced to defend his salary and performance bonuses at inquiry.

Chris Parker named as new APVMA boss by Barnaby Joyce.

Prime Minister cool towards cross river rail plan.

He was the senator whose vote was pivotal to the Coalition's crusade to stamp out lawlessness in the building sector through the re-establishmnet of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

Federal funding for some of Sydney and Melbourne's most prestigious private schools will soar.

The federal government's housing affordability package is a "sham", Labor's Chris Bowen says, and the measures set out in the 2017 budget will simply drive up prices.

Federal funding for some of Melbourne's most prestigious private schools will soar under the Turnbull government's school funding changes

Only people "ordinarily resident" in NSW could access proposed euthanasia laws.

New figures are expected to show real wage growth has fallen into negative territory.

National RSL president Robert Dick has sent a blistering email to his NSW counterpart, John Haines, demanding he and the rest of the state council "stand down" immediately or face fresh charges of bringing the league into disrepute.

The Medicare rebate thaw will not apply to 93 per cent of scans, including the X-rays, MRIs and ultrasounds used to diagnose some of the most common forms of cancer.

Drug users who return a positive test as part of a welfare crackdown will not be referred to police, the government says.

PM indicates Australia might consider the ban on some international flights.

The government has hit back at Ken Henry, after the NAB chairman and former Treasury secretary lashed the government's $6.2 billion bank levy, describing it as damaging to the tax system and criticising the lack of consultation with the banks.

Don't understand superannuation law? Neither do many Tax Office "experts", internal survey reveals.

Asylum seekers on Manus have been told to "consider their options".

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has given the Coalition's second budget a lukewarm endorsement, describing it as 'the best the government can do in the circumstances'.

Education minister Simon Birmingham has been confronted by student protesters after the government proposed to cut funding to universities while raising student fees.