A push by Labor and the crossbench to set up a banking commission of inquiry has fallen just short.

Work is proceeding on a controversial 2.6m metal fence across the lawns of Parliament House

Australia's greenhouse gas emissions could return to 2005 levels by 2030 without new government action, contrary to the scenario modelled by the Finkel review, according to a new report by respected analyst Hugh Saddler.

It's a rare day when both a prime minister and an opposition leader shower accolades upon a journalist.

Members of Malcolm Turnbull's cabinet have rushed to the defence of their ministerial colleagues over remarks about the judiciary that have landed them in court and facing possible contempt charges.

Federal Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon has been accused of contradicting himself over his contact with Chinese officials.

• ANALYSIS

Is Tony Abbott's post-leadership decompensation entering its final stage where the real harm is to his own legacy?

Would a "gender lens" help close APS pay gaps?

Tony Abbott is the most high-profile backbencher in Australia, with regular appearances in newspapers, on radio and television and in contributions to Coalition party room debates.

Cory Bernardi's fledgling right-wing party is set to campaign on killing off Safe Schools program.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has warned Tony Abbott that he could be doing more to help the Turnbull government as the former prime minister leads a backbench charge against the Finkel energy recommendations.

Consultants' bills mount on giant submarines project.

The collapse of Network Ten may be the dramatic shift that pushes the Senate cross bench in favour of the most significant changes to media laws in a generation.

• EXCLUSIVE

Respected lawyer and president of the Australian Law Reform Commission, Rosalind Croucher, is tipped to replace Gillian Triggs in her controversial role as head of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

The Australian government will pay $70 million in compensation, plus about $20 million in costs, in a deal thought to be Australia's largest-ever human rights-related settlement.

• EXCLUSIVE

Greens leader Richard DiNatale has slammed as "highly inappropriate" a move to inquire into foreign political donations and influence-buying within Australia's governing parties via the secretive Parliamentary Standing Committee on Intelligence and Security.

• EXCLUSIVE

 A key political fundraiser for former prime minister Tony Abbott has maintained contact with Chinese Communist Party-aligned businessman Huang Xiangmo, despite warnings from ASIO to Mr Abbott about the billionaire donor.

Turnbull ministers will face Supreme Court to explain why they shouldn't be charged with contempt.

The PM is under mounting pressure as pro-coal figures led by Tony Abbott lay out climate policy demands.

Labor and independent senators are facing renewed calls to back reforms to media ownership laws after Channel Ten fell into voluntary administration on Wednesday.

A frustrated Malcolm Turnbull has taken an apparent swipe at his predecessor, Tony Abbott, for reducing climate policy debate to "glib" slogans.

• EXCLUSIVE

"To take this money away from those of us who are least able to afford increasing energy prices is just plain wrong."

The Australian government has agreed to compensate 1900 asylum seekers currently or formerly held at the Manus Island detention centre, in what may be Australia's largest ever human rights-related settlement.

Senior Turnbull government ministers have mobilised in the wake of Tuesday night's heated meeting.

The public service gender pay gap has been revealed for the first time.

A group of backbench MPs led by Tony Abbott confronted Malcolm Turnbull over the proposed Clean Energy Target in a special party room meeting.

• EXCLUSIVE

Gonski Review panel member Kathryn Greiner says it would be a "disaster" if the Senate voted down the Turnbull government's new school funding model, making her the second panellist in two days to throw their support behind the changes.

The Turnbull government will break through the country's former debt ceiling this week, breaching the $500 billion mark while doubling the national credit card debt it inherited from Labor.

The State Director of the Western Australian division of the Liberal party Andrew Cox has quit after presiding over the loss of the state government earlier this year.