Crossbench politicians are pushing for greater transparency in political donations, and truth in political advertising, ahead of the next federal election. The Fair and Transparent Elections Bill aims to increase transparency and level the playing field for elections.

Immigration detention is set to dominate Australian politics this week, as the government prepares for another High Court case that could see more than 100 people released. An Iranian man, known as ASF 17, will argue his case in the High Court next month.

Independent MP Zoe Daniel says the Association of South East Asian Nations needs to do more to address the crisis in Myanmar. Myanmar is not represented by its military chief Min Aung Hlaing at this year's summit, with Australia maintaining ASEAN's existing ban on political representation by senior members of the military government. More than 4600 civilians have died since the army seized power from Myanmar's elected government in 2021. SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson spoke to the Member for Goldstein about the issue.

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.