University students are experiencing an "alarming" rate of sexual assault on campus, a survey of 31,000 Australian students has found.

• EXCLUSIVE

Conservatives are scrambling to head off an uprising by moderate Liberal MPs over same-sex marriage next week.

How is the new $500 million public service "modernisation fund" being spent?

• EXCLUSIVE

A $1 billion public loan to the controversial Adani Carmichael mine project would expose taxpayers, according to analysis.

Malcolm Roberts' case looks set for the High Court, while the One Nation senator delights in "unbelievable" spike in public profile

About 200,000 of the 315,000 trusts to be whacked with a new tax are related to small businesses.

The issue could flare up as early as next week when Parliament resumes after a long winter break.

Gough Whitlam's eldest son has appeared in court to fight for the release of letters that would shed light on the Dismissal.

• EXCLUSIVE

Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten insisted he had no knowledge of the money.

Would a new public service royal commission suggest there is a crisis or serious wrongdoing in Canberra?

• ANALYSIS

In the post-9/11 era of tight security in which the so-called Islamic State has urged followers to grab whatever they can find as a weapon and just go for it, public attention has been diverted to low-tech, unsophisticated terrorism plots.

"I am talking with colleagues, quite a number of colleagues, about different options that sit in front of us at the moment."

Every living Liberal treasurer but the latest has wanted to tighten the tax treatment of trusts.

Parliament should run run two parallel inquiries into MPs' citizenship, say the Greens.

The Turnbull government has announced plans for a national independent review of the Murray Darling Basin Plan in a bid to restore confidence in the system in the wake of water theft allegations.

The Turnbull government is warning of major pain for small business as a result of Bill Shorten's family trust tax plan.

Defence Minister Marise Payne has launched the ADF's latest push for diversity in recruitment.

• EXCLUSIVE

Only 8 per cent of Treasurer Scott Morrison's own constituents believe his claims that inequality is improving.

• EXCLUSIVE

Bill Shorten will slam the door shut on tax loopholes that let high income earners legally use trusts to slash their tax bills, in a move designed to raise $17.2 billion over 10 years.

"My degree, my chance to graduate. My career. My education. My health and happiness. Friends, trust. confidence, curiosity and hope."

The Turnbull government has condemned a "reckless and menacing" intercontinental ballistic missile test by North Korea, which is the second test by the rogue state in the past month.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has mocked the idea of a yes or no vote on the republic, arguing it won't deliver jobs in North Queensland.

• Analysis

Bill Shorten and Chris Bowen's $17 billion crackdown on tax avoidance through the use of discretionary trusts is a bold political move from a federal opposition on top of its political game.

The project to reverse ecological damage in the Murray-Darling Basin is not going well.

One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts looks set to be referred to the High Court.

The family trust industry, tax rort of choice for Australia's rich and powerful, is about to find itself thrust into an unwelcome spotlight.

Greens to limit negative gears to single property in plan yet to get young people into homes.

Labor has accused the Coalition of overstating its claimed near $3 billion success.

The promise will dramatically reignite debate about whether Australia should have a Australian head of state.