Jake Evans

Hinting at a debate on company profits tax, the prime minister will flag his government is looking at "fair and affordable" ways to incentivise investment at an annual address to big business.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price takes a swipe at a "cowardly" senior colleague she claims berated her staff and threatened her, after comments she made that were hurtful to Indian Australians. 

Climate advocates say a target in the 70s should be the floor of ambition for the government's 2035 emissions targets, but the Business Council is warning that a target over 70 per cent would risk billions in exports. 

The climate change minister says he will have to assess whether legislating the government's 2035 emissions target is politically feasible, with the major waypoint towards net zero due to be announced soon.

Bob Katter's threat to punch a journalist over a question about his heritage has drawn criticism from senior MPs across the political spectrum, who say his colourful character is no justification for violent behaviour.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has played down tensions within the Coalition over its position on net zero, after a reportedly chaotic partyroom meeting where a number of MPs argued over the Coalition's climate position.

The environment minister says he has heard a message loud and clear from last week's productivity round table that the "urgent" rewrite of Australia's environmental approval laws should be sped up.

A scheme to allow all first homebuyers to purchase a property with only a 5 per cent deposit will begin in October, three months earlier than Labor promised at the federal election.

Labor will seek to maximise internal Coalition divisions over whether to scrap its net zero emissions commitment, allowing debate in the chamber today on Barnaby Joyce's bill to repeal climate laws.

The states have been warned to get on board with a new scheme to divert children with mild autism from the NDIS, with the treasurer reminding them that a five-year hospital funding deal is tied to their support for NDIS changes. 

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the second day of his productivity roundtable brought a "real prospect" of finding agreement on changes that could boost Australia's housing supply, including making investment more attractive for super funds.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have both been chastised over their "war of words" by one of Australia's central Jewish community groups, following the announcement Australia would recognise Palestine next month. 

The federal government has cancelled the visa of Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, a member of Israel's far right Mafdal-Religious Zionism party, just days before he was due to arrive in Australia for a speaking event.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland promises governments will "pull out all stops" to close loopholes being used by child abusers by the end of this year, just hours after saying it could take up to 12 months.

Cleaning up even a small amount of a $110 billion "red tape burden" could deliver billions in savings, the Business Council of Australia says, ahead of next week's economic reform round table.

The Coalition says Anthony Albanese has been "shamed" for his decision to recognise a Palestinian state after the move received praise by terror group Hamas, whose October 7 attack on Israel triggered the conflict in Gaza.

As a stream of momentum towards recognising a Palestinian state grew stronger, one moment made a splash that led many nations, including Australia, to say now was the time to act. 

Australia will move to recognise a state of Palestine at the next United Nations General Assembly next month, with a condition that terror group Hamas plays no role in its governance.

The home affairs minister says there is "precedent" for Australia to recognise countries occupied by terrorist forces, even as the federal government maintains Hamas can play no role in a future Palestinian state. 

Final negotiations on a treaty to end plastic pollution are underway in Geneva. But with the United States lining up in opposition to Australia and about 100 other nations, hopes are dimming for the most ambitious proposals to cut plastic production.

Standalone laws to govern artificial intelligence should only be considered as a last resort, the Productivity Commission warns, saying heavy-handed regulation could stifle AI's potential to add more than $116 billion to the economy over the next decade.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas tells Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that Australia could play an "important role" in achieving peace by joining others to recognise the state of Palestine.

With Australia now enjoying one of the world's lowest "baseline" tariff rates enacted by US President Donald Trump, the federal government is claiming vindication of its strategy, and vowing to send more goods into the United States.

France, the United Kingdom and now Canada say they will recognise a Palestinian state at the next United Nations General Assembly in September, putting pressure on Australia to explain its own timeline.

Zali Steggall warns that the costs of climate change must be a focus at the government's productivity roundtable, with the issue already costing billions. She says a levy on fossil fuel exports could help fund climate disaster prevention.