The shadow treasurer has labelled his counterpart's attack on "red" Bill Shorten embarrassing.

In a bizarre twist to the constitutional crisis, not even his biggest opponents think he has a case to answer.

The Turnbull government says it is against Australia's national interest to give a visa to anti-vaccination advocate.

Crossbencher Derryn Hinch has become the latest potential victim of a worsening citizenship saga after admitting he has links to the United States which could disqualify him from the Senate.

Keep calm and let the constitutional citizenship fiasco run its course, former prime minister John Howard has advised, saying it was "silly" to for politicians to try to make the issue a partisan one.

The 'yes' campaign has dedicated its first salvo in the same-sex marriage debate, arguing the only people who will be affected by changing the Marriage Act, are those who are gay.

The Philippines has accepted Australia's offer to provide "technical assistance", including sharing counter intelligence.

• ANALYSIS

The Prime Minister dialled it up to 11 but the resting face of Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg presaged the modest scale of the government's energy package.

The motion is part of the fall-out over the long-running sore of GST distribution.

Treasurer Scott Morrison has labelled Bill Shorten the leader of a new "red" Labor party, and accused the opposition of "economic time travel" by leading the most left-wing labour movement Australia has seen in generations.

NSW has the most large-scale renewable energy projects under way in Australia, and lifted its share of clean energy markedly in the past year.

Looming electoral changes could cost Malcolm Turnbull three seats before the next election.

Experts believe a third seat for the ACT is likely due to population growth.

US President Donald Trump has promised "all options are on the table" when it comes to dealing with North Korea, but Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has placed Australia's faith in economic sanctions bringing the rogue state back under control.

Refugees and asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea have been threatened ahead of the closure of Australian operations on Manus Island.

He's known for accusing China of building a "great wall of sand" in the form of artificial islands.

George Williams believes High Court will knock off Barnaby Joyce and the postal survey on same-sex marriage.

Tiny Australian island near Papua New Guinea is site of the latest breach.

Principal disputes mother's claim in TV ad that her son was told he could wear a dress to school.

The ACT senator and assistant minister has criticised Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

The rectors of St Ignatius' and Xavier colleges cautiously endorsed same-sex marriage in letters to parents last week.

US President Donald Trump is considering naming America's top military commander in the Pacific as US Ambassador to Australia.

• EXCLUSIVE

The ad claimed same-sex marriage would strip parents of their right to choose what their children are taught at school.

Medical professionals are urging the Senate crossbench not to support the Turnbull government's policy of drug testing welfare recipients.

The missile flew about 2700 kilometres, meaning if it had been fired from Sydney it would have easily cleared New Zealand.

Malcolm Turnbull is being encouraged to adopt an underdog status to highlight the growing "danger" of Bill Shorten becoming the nation's 30th prime minister.

• EXCLUSIVE

It's no easier to move from rags to riches in Australia than it used to be, and no easier than anywhere else, a new study of surnames finds.

A weak Clean Energy Target (CET) would shift the emissions reduction burden away from the electricity sector, undermine investor certainty, and potentially leave power stations pumping out pollution into the next century, according to analysis by RepuTex.

Malcolm Turnbull will demand electricity companies write to a million households by Christmas to offer them cheaper power plans.