Albanese has plenty on his mind – Donald Trump, summit season, and a hectic end to the parliamentary year. But one issue looms bigger than all others: the narrowing window for calling the election.

When it comes to gender equality in parliament, some states perform better than others - and this has implications for policy-making.

Independent Senator David Pocock will seek to remove the discretion of the prime minister to decide the number of extra staff crossbenchers receive.

As it crafts its pitch, the biggest uncertainty is what sort of parliament he would likely face. If Labor is returned, would it be a majority or minority government?

Deputy nationals leader, Perin Davey, stumbled over words while at a Senate committee hearing last Tuesday night, after attending the party’s regular staff drinks function.

Senate estimates and inquiries are the homes of some of Australia’s most memorable political moments, but what are they really? How do they work?

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, in its final report tabled on Monday recommended the number of senators from each territory be doubled to four.

Constitutions are by nature short and incomplete documents. In Australia, parliament puts the flesh on the bones of the Constitution, including how a proposed Voice would operate.

Having interviewed advisers to past and present prime ministers in Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, my new research shows how crucial it is to recruit and train staff – before an election.