Spotlight remains on a Coalition in chaos as parliament returns, with splits and spills looming over policy

The Liberals leader, Sussan Ley, in question time in November. Parliament’s return will be overshadowed by the Coalition’s split and the Nationals’ leadership spill. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Normally this column focuses on the agenda for the coming parliamentary week, unpacking a dense policy issue or two that will dominate the political discussion.

This week is a little different. You would expect the government’s big agenda would be front and centre in the first regularly scheduled programming sitting week of the year – but not this Monday.