Brett Worthington

This week, the PM was not wasting any time on "this" issue, and the treasurer took one for the team as Brett Worthington signs off with his final political wrap.

This week in Canberra, Tony Burke finally answered questions about the return of Islamic State relatives, Senate estimates turned into an episode of Utopia, and Andrew Hastie quit the frontbench.

Hastie says he decided to quit because a letter she sent him earlier in the week made clear he wouldn't be formulating the Coalition's immigration policies.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition energy spokesperson Dan Tehan have both arrived home from trips abroad with a spring in their step.

It turns out that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn't need a can of Diet Coke and a cheeseburger to attracted the US president's attention.

This week in politics, the prime minister returned home from the Pacific empty-handed and the climate debate continued to unsettle the Coalition.

This week in politics the government abandoned a confusing word and a former foreign minister rejected bullying allegations.

You need only look to the windows overlooking the prime minister's courtyard to know Australia was about to mark a milestone moment in recognising a Palestinian state.

This week in Canberra a top cop resigned, Japan was chosen to build Australia's warships and pressure mounted on the Albanese government to recognise the state of Palestine. 

Reece Kershaw is retiring early from his role as the Australian Federal Police commissioner, with the first woman to become top cop replacing him.

Targeted advertising on social media and in online games has helped deliver a boost to Australian Defence Force recruitment, offsetting a perennial problem of declining service rates. 

Parliament is back in full swing as the new opposition leader settled in and the prime minister resorted to an election campaign stunt. 

After repeatedly arguing it wouldn't trade away biosecurity standards to assuage Trump, the government now argues it is satisfied with improvements in US cattle traceability. 

By the time the prime minister called an end to Question Time, all those who'd started the proceedings had survived the debut outing for the 48th parliament. 

As the brand new parliament resumed, Pauline Hanson chose David Pocock, Ali France made her first speech and Labor MPs squished into their section.

Theatrics and symbolism aside, the trip served as a reminder of the extent to which Australia has returned to China's good books.

This week in politics Donald Trump was vague on tariffs, Sussan Ley got another glossy profile and Anthony Albanese prepared for his trip to China.

The minister was busy this week with a Qantas cyber hack, a backflip on the controversial Creative Australia decision and an immigration debate. 

This week in politics Sussan Ley fronts the National Press Club, job cuts are coming for Parliament House and questions remain unanswered about US military operations on Australian shores.

This week in politics the prime minister considers another overseas trip, Murray Watt sets a deadline for new environmental laws and NSW Liberals overhaul their committee.

Australia might just be about to witness just how artful Donald Trump can be at re-negotiating a deal his predecessor struck. 

Anthony Albanese has spent years finding his feet on the world stage. In sanctioning two Israeli ministers, his approach to foreign affairs is about to face its biggest test to date.

This week in politics the parliament has achieved gender parity despite tone-deaf commentary, an independent triumphed after a recount and Dorinda Cox changed her tune. 

Surprise Senate results will see Pauline Hanson's One Nation double its representation in the next parliament, meaning it will have the same number of representatives as the Nationals in the upper house. 

This week the push against superannuation tax changes ramped up, Sussan Ley announced her shadow ministry and Labor faced internal criticism on Gaza.