Treasurer Scott Morrison has warned the economy's future is not yet secure as Australia prepares to stumble across the line on Wednesday to grab the world record for the longest period of consecutive growth.

The Turnbull government will this week push for toughened and nationally consistent parole laws after concerns were raised about how Yacqub Khayre, the gunman responsible for Monday night's deadly siege in Melbourne, was roaming free despite a track record of violence and extremism.

Conservative commentator Andrew Bolt was allegedly assaulted outside a Melbourne book launch on Tuesday by a gang of protesters, and appeared to give at least as good as he got.

Public spaces that attract crowds are set to receive security upgrades under proposed counter-terrorism measures.

South Australian nurse Kirsty Boden is believed to be the fourth Australian victim of the London Bridge terror attack and is feared dead, Fairfax Media has confirmed.

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Australia's lowest-paid workers will get a $22-a-week pay rise after the workplace umpire lifted the national minimum wage to $694.90.

Labor leader Bill Shorten has been forced to back Labor senator Sam Dastyari following fresh revelations about his links to and lobbying for an influential Chinese donor to the Australian Labor Party.

• COMMENT

Sometimes, the lost desert wanderer does stumble into an oasis, replete with the proverbial date palms and life-saving waters.

Australia's biggest ever coal mine will go ahead, according to Indian billionaire Gautam Adani.

The nation's most prestigious universities have launched a savage attack on the government's higher education proposals.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has raised "grave concerns" about why the gunman was out on parole.

Australia's nine major human rights bodies have rebuffed the Turnbull government over its sceptical reception of the Uluru Statement.

It's the $5 billion fund that is meant to turn the north into an economic powerhouse.

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Josh Frydenberg has hit the phones to Coalition backbench to calm growing concerns about the federal government's climate change review.

The United States has vowed there will be no escape for Australian foreign fighters from the battlefields of Syria and Iraq.

The Catholic school sector has reacted angrily to suggestions it is "funnelling" money away from students in disadvantaged areas.

Landmark cuts to weekend penalty rates in several industries will be phased in over four years.

A review of overseas allowances for public servants will include some of the biggest departments.

Malcolm Turnbull has joined with British Prime Minister Theresa May in accusing Facebook and Twitter of shirking their responsibility in cracking down on online extremists.

Fears are growing for two more Australians caught up in the latest London terror attacks.

Cory Bernardi's party responded to the London attack by surveying its members about their views on Islam.

Departmental bosses fight for the right to a sick note.

Australians are some of the most pessimistic in the world, with seven out of 10 believing their kids will end up worse off than they are.

The Australian government has "very real concerns" about two more Australians caught up in the London terror attacks.

Internet platforms need to crack down on extremist material being published by their users, Malcolm Turnbull has said, joining British counterpart Theresa May in emphasising the role of social media giants in the spread of terrorism.

It took only eight minutes for police to respond to three men armed with a transit van and knives, wreaking havoc near the heart of London's popular South Bank entertainment district, packed with patrons on Saturday night.

Australian senator Sam Dastyari was enjoying a late dinner with his UK Labour mates in London's Borough Markets when the screaming started.

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The Australian government has refused to allow a grieving wife to come to Australia for her refugee husband's funeral because it does not trust her to return home.

The Productivity Commission has labelled Australia's social housing system as "broken, unfair and failing those in need" – but it still doesn't go far enough in addressing the issues at hand, the Australian Council of Social Service warns.