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.

Fairfax Ipsos September poll results

Bill Shorten's standing as preferred prime minister has taken a hammering from voters, but Labor has kept its strong six point lead over the Coalition in the two-party preferred vote.

Mobility scooters: too fast, too furious?

Does 10km/hhour make you a speed freak? A crusading politician says it does when you are travelling on a footpath.

By the numbers: SSM polls tighten

Polls given to Fairfax Media show support for same-sex marriage has crashed ahead of the government's postal survey.

Postal survey hate speech concerns

Same Sex Marriage

The same sex postal survey is going ahead but there are fresh concerns over hate speech and whether laws are needed to prevent it.

Postal survey gets the green light

The High Court rejects the legal challenge to the controversial postal survey six days before ballots are due to be mailed out.

High Court gives postal vote green light

The Turnbull government's postal survey on same-sex marriage will go ahead but those involved in the High Court challenge have vowed to keep campaigning.

Same-sex postal survey to go ahead

Families have already experienced 'vile hate and abuse' in the lead up to the same-sex marriage plebiscite says plaintiff Felicity Marlowe.

Will we get GST free power bills?

Federal Politics

The PM has rejected calls to remove the GST from our electricity bills, saying States and Territories will find other ways to make up the shortfall.

Government to pay detainees millions

Federal Politics

Manus Island detainees will receive $70 million in compensation, believed to be the largest human rights class action settlement in Australian history.

'Warm' chat about North Korea

North Korea

PM Malcolm Turnbull and US President Donald Trump have spoken for 30 minutes about how to deal with North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

A different side to the PM

Federal Politics

Malcolm Turnbull has been doing the commercial radio and TV rounds, showing a little more personality and even cracking some jokes.

It's an act of love: Turnbull

Federal Politics

The PM and Human Services minister reveal the results of a trial into the cashless welfare card, that prevents those on welfare spending money on alcohol or gambling.

Government ultimatum prompts protests

As pressure rises ahead of the closure of Australian operations on Manus Island, protesters have addressed the government's threats towards asylum seekers.

Is Hinch in citizenship trouble too?

Federal Politics

The Victorian senator has a US social security card, entitling him to a US pension, but does that make him ineligible to be an Australian politician?

Why this man can't come to Australia

Federal Politics

The government has denied Kent Hickenlively a visa because of his controversial views.

Boundary reshuffle on the cards

Federal Politics

Find out who wins and who loses with the Electoral Commission looking at a redistribution of seats in some States and Territories.

Turnbull pushes energy companies on price

Electricity companies will write to a million households by Christmas to offer them cheaper power plans, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull demanded.

Abbott's big bill

Federal Politics

Tony Abbott has racked up a large travel bill, significantly more than other former Prime Ministers.

I am not Ecuadorian: Gallagher

Federal Politics

Labor Senator Katy Gallagher has been forced to deny suggestions she is a dual Australian-Ecuadorian citizen

Turnbull: 'You can be as negative as you like'

Things got heated on ABC's 7.30 report with a defiant Malcolm Turnbull insisting he will win the next election.

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.