An election is on its way in Australia - but just when is unclear. Your summer holiday probably won't be interrupted, but you'll need to be ready to vote by May.

Cost of living issues dominated Australian politics this year. But as politicians gear up for an election within the next six months, some of the key issues that will be taken to the polls surfaced throughout the year.

A new organisation has launched in Australia with the aim of tackling political polarisation and division. Amplify says it has deliberately chosen to stand apart from affiliation to a political party to encourage national debate on community-driven solutions to policy challenges like housing and education. Kaytetye woman from Central Australia Rona Glynn-McDonald is a board member of Amplify. She has told Biwa Kwan the group is taking a different approach to finding policy solutions, including in areas like Indigenous affairs after the defeat of last year's Voice to Parliament referendum.

Federal politicians will face consequences for bad behaviour under new laws to be introduced to parliament. It comes as women on the crossbench have raised concerns about the way they are treated in the chamber.

The federal government has passed laws to force the CFMEU into administration, compromising with the opposition on the deal. Experts anticipate there will be minimal changes for construction workers, although finding new leaders within the union may be a challenge.

On the day Senator Payman announces her resignation from the Labor Party, she talks to SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson.

A Labor Senator crossed the floor, voting against her party, for the first time in several decades. So why is this such a big deal? SBS Explains:

The coalition says it is committed to the Paris agreement, but will scrap Australia's legally binding climate targets. The position has opened the opposition up to criticism, with Labor saying their climate stance lacks substance.

Laws that will enable sweeping reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme have passed the lower house as the government looks to claw back $14 billion from the scheme over five years. It comes amid shocking revelations of fraud by disability providers and participants.

The government has clarified its claim that all permanent residents will be eligible to join the Australian Defence Force from January next year. Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh initially claimed people from any country would be eligible, but has since clarified it will only be open to citizens of Five Eyes nations.