The government had one last chance to redeem itself this year. Instead, the final week of Parliament was marked by fresh allegations of horrific abuse and harassment of women at the hands of some of the most powerful men in the country.

The prime minister could have apologised, or promised real action. Instead, as Amber Schultz reported, he sabotaged the moment, deflected responsibility and patted himself on the back.

The shameful behaviour did not stop there. Instead of salvaging the week to reset the agenda, the government chose to deliver a policy that promised to crack down on online “trolls”. Only problem is, writes Cam Wilson, the bill is really about protecting Scott Morrison’s powerful media mates.

Wilson also noticed something strange going on with anti-vax protesters who attended so-called freedom rallies recently: they all seem to be getting sick.

Find those stories, and plenty more, below.

DAVID HARDAKER 4 minute read

Scott Morrison's family of brothers and sisters in faith is a large one and many siblings are groomed to be 'wise leaders' in politics and society.

CAM WILSON 2 minute read

It's not COVID, of course, that's making them crook. It's 'stuff they're spraying in the sky above Parliament'.

JOSEFINE GANKO 3 minute read

Crikey speaks to three independent candidates who will have Liberal incumbents looking over their shoulders.

DAVID HARDAKER 2 minute read

Even Sky News is now asking questions about 'the curious story of friends of the PM and the contract with no tender'. A sign of things to come?

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 3 minute read

The prime minister scoffs at 'Canberra games' but he's the one playing them over timing of the next federal election.

MICHAEL BRADLEY 4 minute read

With a 'close supportive friend' like the prime minister, female Liberal MPs would have to be asking: who needs an enemy?

CHARLIE LEWIS 1 minute read

Exhausted by the news? Us too. But there is a silver lining. Play the Crikey news quiz now!

CHRISTOPHER WARREN 4 minute read

Some of the country's best political writers went in search of the inner ScoMo... and found there wasn't much there.

BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

Liberal Party scions Christian Porter and Greg Hunt held dreams of the prime ministership. Both failed to achieve it. Both will be remembered for misjudgments -- though on very different matters.