Australia used to prioritise family migrants over skilled workers. But now, it takes up to 21 months for partner visas to be approved – and 30 years for parents.
A motion passed in the Senate today, with the support of the government, places pressure on the Council of the Order of Australia to strip Bettina Arndt of her Order of Australia award.
Following conflicting accounts on whether there was a deal, Richard di Natale said Cormann had ‘walked over to senator Lambie and said, “Is it OK if I say there’s no deal?” We heard you say it’.
Lukas Coch/AAP
After securing a condition which she cannot disclose "due to national security concerns", Jacqui Lambie has voted with the government on the repeal of the medevac laws.
The government gutted the ranks of experienced decision-makers and made organisational changes that undermined the quality of its decisions.
AAP/James Gourley
From high staff turn-overs to filling the appeals tribunal with political allies, the Home Affairs department needs to clean its mess.
Nigel Farage is due to make a return to Australia at this weekend’s CPAC event, alongside Tony Abbott, Raheem Kassam and other right-wing speakers.
Richard Wainwright/AAP
The theme of the conference is 'protect the future', an allusion to the culture wars that conservatives are waging against the left. There are fears this could include alt-right messages of hate.
Parliament has now finished its sitting fortnight. Michelle Grattan discusses the key issues from it, including Labor's approach to passing legislation given its weaker position in the Senate.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese’s approach is for Labor to pick carefully which issues it takes to the wire.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
From Bill Shorten to Kristina Keneally, our experts break down Labor's new shadow ministry – who's in, who's been promoted, and who faces the greatest challenges in their new roles
Kristina Keneally has been announced as deputy Labor leader in the Senate.
AAP/Lukas Coch
After much factional wrangling, the new opposition leader has a shadow ministry, but the question remains about whether it is a good idea for the former leader to stay in the parliament.
Malcolm Turnbull and John Alexander celebrate victory in the Bennelong byelection.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Doug Jones has won a tough battle to represent Alabama in the US Senate; meanwhile, the crucial byelection in Bennelong is neck-and-neck, with huge implications for the government if it loses.