Canberra week : Parliament returns -- to a different parliament

Federal parliament has returned for the final three sitting weeks of the year with a lot of legislation to get through. Australians won't be heading to the polls early next year to vote on marriage equality. But same-sex marriage advocates are confident the senate's rejection of a planned plebiscite won't stall momentum on the issue. Now, though, the question becomes whether the federal government will allow a parliamentary vote on the matter. The Federal Government will need Senate crossbench support to impose a lifetime visa ban on asylum seekers who use people smugglers. That comes after the Labor caucus voted unanimously to oppose the legislation.Controversial counter-terrorism laws allowing control orders to be imposed on minors as young as 14 years old have cleared the Senate. Labor supported the legislation.

Malcolm Turnbull eyes Bill Shorten during question time Source: AAP