The government says the move is part of its efforts to maintain social cohesion following division sparked by Hamas' October 7 attack and Israel's ensuing invasion of Gaza.

Usman Khawaja has accused the opposition leader of stoking Islamophobia with comments about Muslim candidates potentially winning seats at the next federal election.

She has joined the crossbench after voting to support a Greens motion on Palestinian statehood.

Payman's defection to the crossbench leaves Labor with fewer seats in the upper house than it had back at the start of 2022, when it was still in opposition.

He was tonight named Federal Press Gallery Journalist of the Year for the third time, in an announcement at the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery Midwinter Ball at Parliament House in Canberra.

The nation's politicians and media figures have glammed up for the annual Midwinter Ball, including some who opted to wear their powerful statements.

Jim Chalmers has dismissed suggestions a snap poll will be called despite the Opposition Leader putting his MPs on alert.

The prime minister's decision to stay home has prompted criticism amid high global tensions.

Western Australian farmers are promising the fight is not over after the Albanese government's live sheep export ban passed the Senate.

From today, both apprentices in priority areas and their employers are eligible for $5000 in financial incentives.

Fatima Payman says she is considering her future in the government after being indefinitely suspended.

The businesswoman, lawyer and former AFL commissioner has formally begun her new role in a ceremony at Parliament House.

Colleagues say the former deputy prime minister has never looked sharper since he embraced a healthier lifestyle.

The federal government is set to announce a record Olympic and Paralympic sport funding package in an attempt to boost the medal haul in Brisbane, as well as Los Angeles 2028.

Energy bill relief and tax cuts for all workers are set to begin on July 1.

Australia urgently needs to increase the amount of solar and wind to meet its energy needs in the coming decades.

From October 1, therapeutic vapes will be available from a pharmacy in a process similar to that for ibuprofen or nicotine patches.

Matt Kean has been appointed to lead the Climate Change Authority, less than a week after announcing his resignation from state politics.

The seven sites earmarked for nuclear power plants by the Federal Coalition would each house several reactors, meaning the final price tag has grown dramatically.

The Coalition has been accused of proposing a 'nuclear fantasy' as debate over the controversial policy continues to rage.

"Instead of Snow White and the seven dwarves, this is Peter Dutton and the seven nuclear reactors," Anthony Albanese.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has told Opposition Leader Peter Dutton she will not be negotiating on a nuclear power plant in the state.

The opposition won't reveal how much they'll cost, sparking fierce criticism from the government.

While the proposal looms as the defining issue of the next election, it could also have a massive impact on Australia's energy supply and on your power bills.

Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds says she'll fight to clear her name in a lawsuit against Brittany Higgins, with Scott Morrison set to potentially give evidence.

Anthony Albanese will get a raise of about $21,000, while Peter Dutton gets an extra $15,000 or so.

Anthony Albanese met with China's second-most-powerful politician as protesters clashed outside parliament.

The ADF doesn't want the inquiry to look into the actions of the crew that night, the helmet-mounted sight display, night vision systems or "human factors".

It's a new slogan among the political classes, but many experts have serious doubts about the idea.

The Opposition leader's controversial stance on climate change targets seem to have done little to turn off voters, a new poll shows.

Supporters of pro-democracy writer Dr Yang Hengjun have called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to demand the Australian citizen's release from detention on a suspended death sentence.

Kylea Tink won't have a seat to defend at next year's federal election after the AEC proposed to abolish the division of North Sydney.

The opposition leader today ruled out providing any detail on what goal a Liberal-National government would pursue instead of the 43 per cent cut by 2030.

A 20-year-old Sydney woman has issued a plea for Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to intervene in her case and allow her to stay in Australia.

The newly issued Ministerial Direction 110 will replace the much-criticised Ministerial Direction 99.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has ruled out investigating the public officials referred to it by the robodebt royal commission over their role in the illegal, "crude and cruel" scheme.

Adam Bandt claims he has been defamed by the nation's leading legal officer.

Mark Butler said people in legitimate need of the scheme would be 'furious' and stopping dodgy providers would be made a 'priority'.

The federal opposition and housing industry bodies have hit out at a draft policy that would see yoga and martial arts instructors rushed into Australia ahead of some tradies.

Today, the former treasurer said he had no intention of making a bid to return to politics.

Union leaders are campaigning for the federal government to introduce ten days paid reproductive leave for all workers.

The federal government plans to use drones to track former immigration detainees with criminal records, while they wait for court approval to bring them back into custody. 

Red paint and pro-Palestine slogans were sprayed on the buildings, which include the offices of Mark Dreyfus and Bill Shorten.

The federal government will overrule a much-criticised ministerial decision after immigrants with serious criminal records had their visas restored.

The Albanese government's record of protecting the community since a landmark High Court ruling is under fresh scrutiny today.

The federal government is launching a new bid to stamp out sexual violence, with the aim to educate parents to guide their children on what's safe in relationships.

"I think if you go back and have a look at who appointed the people that made that decision - it wasn't this government," the PM said.

Verifying your identity is something we all have to do fairly regularly, but it soon could look very different under a new, voluntary national digital ID.

The deputy federal Liberal leader said radio stations and other media organisations should stop playing the American's music in light of the video.

A new poll shows Australians are largely unmoved by the federal budget, and it has failed to give the Albanese government a bump in support.