In political developments this week, parliamentarians returned to the nation's capital for the start of a new sitting year.
David Sharaz looks back at the week that was.
Federal politicians are back in Canberra.
The long summer break has come to an end and parliamentary sittings are underway.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has placed tax reform high on the political agenda.
Under consderation, but not yet agreed to, is an idea -- to increase the 10 per cent Goods and Services Tax to 15 per cent.
The Prime Minister is emphasising that no final decision has been made.
"We should have a constructive debate and one that is thoughtful and detailed and one that is not full of shrill scare campaigns."
The Goods and Sevices Tax is a consumption tax.
It is paid by consumers when they spend so everyone feels it.
Labor is strongly campaigning against any planned GST rise.
"Let us be really really straight with the Australian people. Labor will oppose an increase in the GST. The case is not made for slugging all Australians with 15 per cent."
Treasurer Scott Morrison favours an increase and is trying to convince voters its a good idea.
But even some of his own colleagues don't agree.
Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi is one of them.
"To paraphrase Malcolm Turnbull, there's never been a better time to be a backbencher because we can make a contribution to the policy debate as they're shaping it going forward."
The debate is ongoing.
New South Wales Liberal Party Premier Mike Baird is pushing for a GST rise.
But selling a tax change isn't easy.
The latest published polls suggest 54 per cent of voters are against any rise in the GST.
In other issues, the High Court examined and ruled on Australia's offshore processing facilities on Nauru.
the High Court ruled against a case challenging the legality of the system.
Effecitvely the Goverment won, giving it the power to return more than 200 asylum seekers and their children currently in Darwin to the island.
Some Austarlian churches have launched a civil disobedience campaign trying to pressure the Government into allowing the detainees to stay.
Prime Minsiter Turnbull responded to the high court decision in Parliament.
"Now we'll consider the judgment and its implications carefully but what I can say is this: Our system of deterrence remains robust and has recently been reinforced to deal with immediate and enduring threats."
Mr Turnbull's political focus is on sending a tough message that Australian will not be softening its border protection policies.
But there is a question over what will happen to the people now in Darwin.
There are nearly 200 of them, includuing 37 babies born in Australia.
Greens Senator Sarah-Hanson Young is urging the Prime Minister show compassion and step in.
"The detention of children is child abuse. Children are sent to Nauru malcolm turnbull will be signing off on child abuse. That is what we have at the moment. I hope he sees sense."
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is overseeing the Government's response.
"We will look at this case compassionately. We are not going to send kids into harm's way but we are saying very firmly if you don't have a legitimate claim to be in Australia then we want to help you go back to your country of origin."
The 2016 election is due later in the year. August to October are the favoured months, but an early poll is still an outside possibility.
The Prime Minsiter has said it is a 'live option'.
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