A looming court case is further evidence of a deep divide within a once-powerful election-winning machine, writes James Murphy.

Treasurer Scott Morrison claims 2017 was a year of extraordinary jobs growth in Australia, with more than 400,000 jobs created — the strongest calendar growth in jobs on record.

Coalition Senator George Brandis claims that, per capita, Australia runs the most generous refugee and humanitarian migration program in the world.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham claims Kristina Keneally cut education funding while she was NSW premier, but she says funding increased in every key area under her government.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter claims Newstart spending growth under Labor was higher than under the Coalition because people are moving off the payment into employment more quickly.