Australian Federal Politics Breaking News & Video

Hanson, you owe my son an apology: Husar

Federal Politics

In an emotional attack, Labor MP Emma Husar, who has an autistic son, says Pauline Hanson must apologise to every autistic child for saying they should be segregated in schools.

Roberta Williams runs for Parliament

Gangland widow of Carl Williams and convicted drug trafficker is running for office as an Australian Peoples Party candidate. Video: Seven Network.

Abbott's drunken admission

Federal Politics

After years of denials, the former PM reveals he missed a vote in Parliament in 2009 because he passed out after drinking too much.

MPs unite to pay tribute to Fiona Richardson

Victorian MPs across the political spectrum have united in grief as Parliament stopped to pay tribute to Fiona Richardson, who died after a battle with cancer.

Australian spy chief fist-bumps Duterte

ASIS director-general Nick Warner has drawn criticism for posing in a photo with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte fist-bumping.

Hunt 'astonished' GPs giving anti-vax advice

The authorities are investigating those who are giving advice to patients on how to avoid vaccinations, says Health Minster Greg Hunt.

Victorian Labor MP Fiona Richardson dies

Victoria's first Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Member for Northcote Fiona Richardson lost her battle with cancer on Wednesday night.

Pyne's out-of-body experience

A tour of Lockheed Martin's STELaRLab gave Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne the opportunity to see things from a different perspective.

Victoria ramps up energy fight

A $1.5 billion tender and a pledge to legislate renewable targets has upped the ante in the states' battle with the Turnbull government over energy.

More Aussie troops to Afghanistan?

Federal Politics

US President Donald Trump has vowed to increase the number of US troops in Afghanistan to defeat terrorists and will ask allies including Australia to do the same.

How do Afghans see Trump's new policy?

Afghanistan's government welcomes President Trump's decision on war, while the Taliban vows to continue 'jihad', but what do people on Kabul's street think?

'Health challenges' force MP to miss next election

Labor MP for Northcote Fiona Richardson has announced she will not stand in the 2018 election.

Australia to talk troop numbers with US

Following US President Donald Trump's unveiling of a new Afghanistan plan, Australia will discuss potential further troop increases to trouble areas in the Middle East, says Defence Minister Marise Payne.

Siblings' viral Pauline Hanson parody song

Caleb and Annabel Ziegeler from Warrnambool cover of Dolly Parton hit Jolene went viral after it was posted on Friday.

Government to trial welfare drug test in Canterbury-Bankstown

Welfare recipients in Sydney's south-west could be randomly tested for drugs from the start of next year.

I'm not a secret English agent: Shorten

Federal Politics

Labor leader Bill Shorten has fobbed off suggestions he's a British citizen but won't release documents to prove it.

You're doing ISIS' work: Hanson Young

Federal Politics

Senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Pauline Hanson have had a live on air spat over the One Nation leader's burqa stunt.

Powerful moment for this politician

Federal Politics

A Liberal MP has challenged Christian MPs to devote as much time and energy to getting refugees off Manus Island and Nauru than they do to opposing same sex marriage.

ABC axes Yassmin Abdel-Magied's show

Yassmin Abdel-Magied's ABC show 'Australia Wide' has been discontinued as part of the broadcaster's restructure.

Citizenship net catches another

Federal Politics

SA senator Nick Xenophon is checking his citizenship status after suggestions he inherited UK citizenship from his father.

Victorians in Barcelona safely at hotel: Andrews

Two Victorians caught up in the Barcelona terror attack are safely back in their hotel, says Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

Budget gives poll bounce

Fairfax-Ipsos

The budget lifts the government in the latest Fairfax-Ipsos poll, but Labor still leads, Mark Kenny explains.

Australia's falling foreign aid budget

Foreign Aid

The foreign aid budget is now less than half of what was once a bipartisan target. Fergus Hunter explains.

Budget 2017: the great political reset

Budget 2017

Mark Kenny argues the 2017 budget has recast Canberra politics, and not just for the government.

Afghanistan: Australia's longest war

Afghanistan

Australians have been deployed in Afghanistan since 2001, and that doesn't look like ending any time soon.

Snowy Hydro's bold new vision

Energy

It's called pumped hydro and it could play a vital part in Australia's energy future.

Budget 2017: What we already know

Budget 2017

James Massola has been talking with Treasurer Scott Morrison and reveals the philosophy - and some of the content - of budget 2017.

Mike Pence guarantees Australian refugee deal

In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, US Vice President Mike Pence says the Trump administration will honour a controversial refugee deal with Australia - even though it does not 'admire' the deal.

Why immigration is so important

Immigration

Fergus Hunter explains the impact of immigration on other major areas of government policy.

18C changes lack support

Racial Discrimination Act

A Fairfax-Ipsos poll reveals a vast majority of voters, including coalition voters, support the existing wording of race-hate laws. Matthew Knott explains.