Changes to stage three tax cuts have passed parliament. It's a win for the Labor government, who secured support from the Coalition for the tax changes. But one piece of legislation won't end the cost of living crisis, with calls for the government to do more to address the ongoing issue.

The government is set to create a national commissioner to help improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The announcement was made as the government delivered its annual Closing the Gap report on the anniversary of the national apology to the Stolen Generation.

Foreign and defence ministers from Australian and New Zealand have met to discuss regional security. It is the first time the four have convened since New Zealand's change of government last year. The new setting is the called the Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers Consultations, known as ANZMIN.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says inflation and cost-of-living pressures have forced him to amend planned tax cuts due to take effect in July, skewing the benefits to favour lower and middle income earners. The controversial stage three tax cuts were legislated in 2018. Mr Albanese says the economic situation is vastly different than five years ago, and the amendments will benefit millions of Australians on modest incomes.

Today a trove of cabinet papers have been released for the year 2003. They show how the Howard Cabinet quickly approved the controversial decision to join the US-led invasion of Iraq. But much of the government's deliberations are still secret, with records from the National Security Committee remaining sealed.

While much of the country might be winding down ahead of Christmas next week, for the nation's political leaders the pace has gotten even faster. The government is confronting the impact of the post Cyclone Jasper flooding in Queensland, and simmering tensions over its position on the Middle East crisis.

Airline bosses have appeared before the continuing Qatar Senate inquiry to discuss the Federal Government’s rejection of extra Qatar Airways flights. Qatar Airways says it was shocked to not have extra flights approved by the Australian Government, insisting more planes would have benefited the local economy. It is alleged that Qantas has been receiving privileged treatment from the government.

Debate over a new commission to address poverty was high on the Parliamentary agenda today. And a decision to delay debate over the government's workplace bill until 2024 has dealt a significant blow to Labour's plans to have new workplace laws in place before Christmas.

Australia is seeing a decline in a free bowel screening test participation that is a proven life-saver. Cancer Council Victoria is urging more eligible people to take part in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

As the yes and no campaigns for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum gather steam ahead of the vote on October 14, the most recent polling suggesting support for the yes case has dropped below a majority. The opposition has continued to press its case for a second referendum if the no vote is carried. But the government says the Coalition aren't engaging in the substance of the Voice and are only interested in politics.