PARLIAMENT RETURNS FOR 2019
* Prime Minister Scott Morrison to kick off the parliamentary year with a National Press Club address on Monday.
* Church service in Canberra on Tuesday morning, with Mr Morrison and Bill Shorten expected to attend.
* House and Senate sit Tuesday to Thursday. The following week is a House-only four-day sitting, with the Senate in estimates hearings.
* Labor is expected to seek crossbench approval to add two sitting weeks in March, before the April budget and May election.
* Unclear what legislative action will be taken in regard to the banking royal commission's recommendations. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says his priorities are: laws to set up a compensation scheme of last resort; extending the jurisdiction of the Federal Court to cover corporate criminal misconduct; and ensuring superannuation fund trustees can face civil penalties for breaches of their best interests obligations. Labor has offered bipartisan support to fast-track reform.
* Medical approvals for asylum seekers likely to be debated. Independent MP Kerryn Phelps' bill is not listed for further debate in the House. However a government bill, amended in the Senate along the same lines of the Phelps bill, is due to be 'reported' to the House on Tuesday. While a debate is likely, parliamentary rules mean there can't be a vote on it in the House until 4.10pm that day.
* The annual Closing the Gap report will be released on Thursday, with speeches by the PM and Opposition Leader.
* Wednesday. Senate reports are due on: rehabilitation of mining and resources projects; the practice of dowry and dowry abuse in Australia; support for Australia's thalidomide survivors; jobactive; Great Barrier Reef 2050 Partnership Program.
* Thursday. Senate reports are due on: mental health of first responders, emergency workers and volunteers; proposed parliamentary code of conduct; Franchising Code of Conduct and Oil Code of Conduct.
* Retiring senators are due to give valedictory speeches on Wednesday afternoon.
