In what can only be described as a Tuesday in Canberra, question time delivered more drama than a reality TV finale. Phil Thompson became the first MP in nearly five years to be suspended from the House, after refusing three times to withdraw his assertion that the Albanese government are “liars.” Speaker Milton Dick, apparently tired of playing games, “named” him and triggered a suspension vote. Earlier, Liberal MP Ben Small was ejected for three whole hours - a punishment notably longer than the standard one-hour timeout for talking back to the speaker. The Coalition, meanwhile, spent the day painting doomsday scenarios about the budget and capital gains tax changes, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told shadow treasurer Angus Taylor to watch his back, because apparently the next Liberal leader is “just behind you.” The PM also dodged a Greens question about whether gas lobbyists attended Labor’s budget night fundraiser, taking the question despite being told it wasn’t allowed, and then not answering it.

In other news, Australia’s first National Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Paul Brereton, has resigned after nearly three years, citing that criticisms about potential conflicts of interest were “drawing attention away from the commission’s core purpose of strengthening integrity.” This comes after the NACC was heavily criticized for its original decision not to investigate six people referred by the robodebt royal commission, a decision later found to be “affected by apprehended bias” after Brereton didn’t recuse himself despite a perceived conflict. His final day will be 6 July.

Meanwhile, the last remaining Australian women and children stranded in the al-Roj detention camp in north-east Syria are reportedly set to return home. The group includes seven women and 14 children, all Australian citizens, who have bought plane tickets. They are the wives, widows, and children of jailed or dead Islamic State fighters, with some having been held at the camp for over six years. Some women could face terror-related charges on landing, though many claim they were coerced or tricked into entering Syria. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated the government “will not repatriate or provide assistance to this group,” but noted AFP operations have been in place since 2015 and agencies are ready if they choose to return.