The Latest Breaking News from Zali Steggall

More than 500 Victorian homes damaged and 500 others cut off in flooding. This blog is now closed

The federal government's laws to set up a national anti-corruption commission have been introduced to parliament, sparking a debate over its scope and powers.

Crossbench MPs have given the government 15 sitting days to stand in the way of their move to revoke an $18 million grant to a charity.

Federal parliament has been rocked by extraordinary revelations that Scott Morrison secretly assumed control of numerous ministries, including the resources portfolio, in the last term of government. The then prime minister went further and used his new powers to knock back a gas-drilling proposal off the New South Wales coast.

Greens senator David Shoebridge and independent MP Sophie Scamps among those calling for investigation of former PM

Zali Steggall says parliamentary committee that will watch over commission should be ‘multi-partisan, not bipartisan’

The government has agreed to Greens and "teal" independent amendments to its climate target bill, despite not requiring their votes in the lower house, in a sign of what the crossbench hopes is a new approach to politics.

When the new federal parliament opened last week, a record number of female politicians took their seats: 38% in the House of Representatives and 57% in the Senate. This changing of the guard, with women at the forefront, brings an opportunity to accelerate Australia’s efforts on climate change.

More senators and MPs due to meet Anthony Albanese next week after crossbenchers warned cuts could slow Labor’s legislative agenda

The seven independents want a mechanism to protect emissions target from ‘future governments’ as they signal desire to negotiate

Greens call for moratorium on new oil and gas projects as some independents urge Labor not to rush major policy for political reasons