In his deal with the Greens, Environment Minister Murray Watt has just scraped off one of the biggest barnacles clinging to parliament. 

Major housing, renewables and mining projects often get bogged down for years by Australia's aging environment laws. Now a deal to rewrite them could change that.

The Environment Department projects Australia is expected to fall well short of its commitment to cut emissions by 62 to 70 per cent by 2035 — though the minister notes that is before accounting for a number of recent commitments.

Australia's social media age ban is being challenged in the High Court on the grounds that it restricts young teens' implied right to freedom of political communication.

Medicare figures quietly published online show bulk-billing has not improved from a year ago, despite billions being tipped into the scheme. As out-of-pocket costs rise, GPs are delivering 10,000 fewer services every day compared to last year.

The next few days are viewed as critical to landing a deal on the proposed reforms to update the EPBC Act, amid hopes the Liberals will be more motivated to bolster their environmental credentials after ditching net zero.

Energy experts have cast doubt over the Liberal Party's central claim that it can bring down power prices by backing coal and gas, while questioning how the party plans to actually reduce emissions.

A scathing Productivity Commission review concludes that Australia's mental health system is failing and needs a rewrite, while warning that 500,000 Australians are unable to access the care that they need. 

Sussan Ley has refused to bite on speculation about her leadership, after a Liberal colleague suggested she was losing the support of her party.

Liberal MPs will return to parliament on Wednesday to thrash out a position on the party's net zero commitment ahead of a joint party room meeting with the Nationals next Sunday.

The federal government puts laws requiring streaming services to produce Australian content back on the table after a hiatus following the US election.

The Coalition will gather this morning at a joint party room session as the issue of whether to keep or ditch its net zero commitment roils within the party.

Saying there is enough solar power for everyone in the daytime, the federal government will direct retailers to provide three hours of free power every day to consumers.

The centre of debate inside the Liberals appears to be shifting towards dumping net zero, as a tumultuous debate unfolds following the Nationals' decision to formally abandon the 2050 target.

The Nationals have formally abandoned a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, setting a challenge for Opposition leader Sussan Ley whether to follow or risk splitting the Coalition.

The Coalition says it cannot support major reforms to Australia's environment laws in their current reform, setting a bar as they enter deep negotiations with the federal government.

The Senate has erupted after a stunt yesterday where the Coaliton, Greens and crossbench teamed up to pressure the government to release a secret report — with claims Labor is vowing retribution.

Murray Watt warns the Coalition and Greens not to "obstruct" environment laws being introduced to parliament on Thursday, while assuring a special power in the bill would not allow him to intervene on behalf of coal or gas projects.

Optimism that a deal can be found to amend Australia's environment laws fades, as the Coalition raises concerns over details just days after parts of the legislation were shared with stakeholders.

A "climate trigger" that could be used to block coal and gas projects has been formally excluded from the government's overhaul of Australia's environment laws, minister Murray Watt confirms.

After a Liberal colleague calls Sussan Ley's claim that Kevin Rudd cannot remain US ambassador "churlish", the opposition leader walks back from her call.

Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese have inked a deal for "critical mineral and energy dominance" in a new partnership that will tip billions into mining projects in the US and Australia.

President Donald Trump has told Australia's ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, "I don't like you, and I probably never will" during a meeting with Anthony Albanese at the White House.

Climate 200 would have been blocked from making $8.34 million in donations to independent candidates if new election donation laws were in place at the 2025 poll.

Barnaby Joyce says that, "unlike others", One Nation's approach to climate change is not "barking mad". But the Nationals MP says he remains with his party — for now.