The week in federal politics has been marked by a series of departures from the frontbench.
David Sharaz has more.
As the major parties battled this week on the specifics of tax reform.
Some senior political figures announced they'd be giving up politics at the next election.
Phillip Ruddock, a former long-serving Immigration Minister under Prime Minister John Howard, kick started what would be a week of retirements.
"Nobody has a divine right to sit in the parliament. I don't have a divine right to sit in the parliament."
National Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss closely followed announcing to the House he too would not be contesting the next election.
"Now that I'm numbered amongst the oldest I think it's time to go. I wonder whether I'll be the last person with a limited education, who comes from one of the poorest electorates in the country to become Deputy Prime Minister, I hope not. Because I think we do need across the leadership of our country a breadth of experience and a bredth of skills."
The move prompted a National Party room meeting to elect a new leader, and Australia's next Deputy Prime Minister.
Formerly the Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, the man known recently for threatening the lives Johnny Depp's dogs, was appointed unopposed.
"This responsibility is taken with all the respect that it deserves. I think that within the next few years we will continue to build on the exceptional work that has been done by the most recent giant of our party, Warren Truss."
Trade Minister Andrew Robb followed saying its his time to leave the parliament too.
"One of the contributing factors to me making my decision easier was the fact that I thnk we are in such good shape. I mean if we weren't i would feel a greater obligation to stay, seek to make a contribution."
Opposition leader Bill Shorten praised both members of the parliament.
"So it's with the warm wishes of the entire opposition that I rise to thank the Deputy Prime Minister and the member for Goldstein for their service to the Parliament and the nation."
The developments mean the Prime Minister will have to shake up his Cabinet.
The latest casualty is the Human Services Minister Stuart Robert, who - it's been announced - will resign from the ministry.
The Minister faced fire after it was revealed he used a private trip to China to witness a mining deal with a company headed by a liberal party donor.
The opposition leader Bill Shorten has had Mr Robert in his cross hairs.
"The Government of Australia and the Ministers of Australia are not valeys for donors in the Liberal Party, opening doors closing doors I mean what was he doing there? Does he have an interesting hobby of watching big deals being signed and he just likes to turn up."
On policy matters, the tax debate took a new turn when the Government virtually dumped the idea of raising the goods and services tax. from 10 to 15%.
The Prime Minsiter says he is convinced the idea would raise revenue.
"There are many changes that can be made to the tax system that do not involve the GST in fact the GST as you know hasn't been changed, well hasn't been changed since it was introduced and there have been many changes to the tax system since then."
The focus of the tax review now turns to negative gearing and cutting back on superannuation tax concessions for high income earners.
The Greens support the Government looking into both negative gearing and superannuation because they say those taxes are too generous to the rich.
Party leader Richard Di Natale.
"When you're talking about tax reform you start with people who are super wealthy, not ordinary punters and that's where the government was going with their GST plans. I'm pleased they've shelved it."
In Parliament - the Closing the Gap report on Indigenous disadvantage measuring health, education and equity was delivered to Parliament.
The findings were bleak, and Prime Minister Turnbull made a pledge in Parliament.
"I will honour that commitment not by delivering to indigenous Austrailans but by working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and their communities"
Opposition leader Bill Shorten replied:
"The gap stands as an afront to our national fairness."
The future of Medicare is being examined by the government as it looks for savings and budget cuts.
Reports that back office payment systems could be privatised led to concerns about privacy and adequacy of services.
The Opposition says the government wants to cut services.
Health Minister Sussan Ley dismissed the accusation.
"It scares people, it upsets people and it's completely ridiculous."
