There was only ever going to be one winner from the nominations put forward by Sydney Morning Herald and Age readers for global newsmaker of the year.

Former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke has told a Queensland crowd he would have one piece of advice for current PM Malcolm Turnbull – resign.

The Prime Minister said he had learned his lesson and would always wear a life jacket in the future.

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese has backed a national drivers licence scheme and called for an urgent meeting of the Australian Transport Council to end inconsistencies between transport authorities across the country.

A Chinese government backed training airport in northern NSW will increase its number of flights by 1000 per cent under a development proposal as Australia struggles to avoid a local pilot shortage. 

The number of Australians seeking emergency passports has surged by 35 per cent in the past five years.

"Let's Keep Australia Working" pivots the Turnbull government toward a clearer line of attack on Labor, campaign strategists say.

A 74-year-old man has been charged after sending a bullet to Barnaby Joyce's office during the middle of New England byelection campaign.

Kenneth Hayne is not known to dwell on a point, his colleagues say, which is a good thing, because he doesn't have much time.

Labor says it would consider forcing employers to turn casuals to permanent staff after six months, halving the amount of conversion time ordered by the Fair Work Commission earlier this year.

Watchdog has given preliminary findings to the Home Affairs Department, but a final report is still forthcoming.

Former solicitor-general Justin Gleeson will represent the ACT senator over the citizenship fiasco.

• EXCLUSIVE

The Turnbull government has been slammed for ignoring a major legal report for more than two years, while continuing to enact laws that erode fundamental rights.

The Greens will use Phillip Ruddock's review of religious freedoms to build momentum for an Australian bill of rights and with Labor's support it could be put before a Senate inquiry as early as next year.

• ANALYSIS

Another year, another Boxing Day sales "record". If it wasn't, we would really be in trouble.

Japan and Australia are close to agreeing a visiting forces agreement (VFA).

The Prime Minister - and his Christmas shirt - proved popular at a lunch for the homeless.

Information booklets on medicinal cannabis, which aim to make it easier for doctors to prescribe the controversial drug, have been released.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has used his Christmas message to urge Australians to celebrate the nation's values and diversity.

Accused of selling fares on the SIEV-X, Maythem Radhi has been living as a refugee.

It's been a long wait for the retired major-general.

Melbourne has some "special challenges" that can make it difficult to stop attacks such as the one in Flinders Street on Thursday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said.

Labor has refused to say whether it will reverse the cuts, but has pledged it is "fully committed" to the demand-driven system.

It was a year that began with a tortured phone call and ended in group hugs on the floor of Parliament.

In between the name-calling, the white anting and the backstabbing, Parliament is the place where stuff gets done.

Australia will wind back its military operations against Islamic State, three years after it seized control of large swathes of the region.

Scott Morrison says he will fight back against discrimination and mockery of Christians and other religious groups in 2018, in comments that position him as one of the leading religious conservatives in the Turnbull government.

Treasurer Scott Morrison has warned international companies will flee the country while Australians are sitting on the beach this summer in the wake of the biggest tax cut in US history.

"We've made decision to support the plan and that's part of the plan. I don't think anyone should say we're going to blow up the building."