The government has just three parliamentary sitting weeks left to legislate its climate policy to achieve its 43 per cent emissions reduction target by the end of the decade.
The $368 billion nuclear submarine deal has prompted fresh calls for tax changes,including the stage three cuts,to pay for the boats.
The independent MP mocked the opposition leader about his prospect of becoming prime minister as she and other independents renewed calls for more staffers.
The federal government has sharpened its focus on about 40,000 people with super balances over $3 million,while the Grattan Institute says the bar should be lower.
The federal government plans to fund 30,000 social and affordable homes,but crucial Senate votes hinge on more ambitious commitments.
The Greens will force Labor to negotiate over its promised $15 billion national reconstruction fund after the Coalition refused to back it in the Senate.
Victoria could have its largest crossbench since World War II if the experts are correct. But some incumbent independents are fighting to hold their seats.
David Pocock,who controls the fate of the government’s industrial relations laws in the Senate,is pushing to raise the threshold for businesses to be pulled into multi-employer deals.
Labor’s divisive industrial relations bill passed the lower house despite a wall of vocal opposition,indicating the looming Senate fight next month.
The government needs the vote of one more senator to pass the wide-scale changes.
The crossbench MPs,including senators whose votes could be decisive,are worried Labor’s integrity commission will not be broad enough to go after corrupt union officials and business people who seek to influence the government.