Protests, chamber bells ring in return of parliament

The prime minister and opposition leader attended a morning church service at the Presbyterian Church of Saint Andrew, where they were met by a chirping children's choir and the colourful clergy before the parliament bells heralded them to the house on the hill.

Elsewhere, transport workers and anti-renewable energy groups have used the occasion to descend on parliament in separate demonstrations.

Reflective vests and white T-shirts were strewn on the lawns outside to commemorate workers and road users killed in transport-related crashes.

A "rally against reckless renewables", on the other hand, railed against the rollout of renewable energy and high-voltage transmission lines.

Tax cuts are expected to dominate the week, with Labor introducing changes to improve returns for low and middle income earners, while reducing the benefit for wealthier workers.

Despite hammering the prime minister for breaking an election promise, there was overwhelming support for the reworked tax package in the coalition's party room.

Though there was some debate between a handful of people during the opposition's meeting, only one politician wanted to vote against the changes and they were talked around.

Former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison, who designed the original tax cuts and will resign within weeks, also got involved in the discussion.

With the seats still warm, Coalition Leader Peter Dutton called a media conference in the party room to confirm the coalition would push for amendments but ultimately supported the reformed tax cuts.

The Albanese government will also be desperate to push through a tranche of bills before the budget.

These include an expansion of paid parental leave and a crackdown on migrant worker exploitation alongside workplace relations, housing and foreign bribery laws.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape will also address a joint sitting of parliament on Thursday, the first leader from a Pacific island nation to do so.

The first sitting week for the year also brings a new face to parliament, with West Australian Labor senator Varun Ghosh being sworn in.

Mr Ghosh takes over from Labor great and Indigenous leader Pat Dodson, who retired due to ill health.

The prime minister paid tribute to the former senator Dodson, saying his replacement had big shoes to fill.

"Mr Ghosh's contribution will be different but no less significant," Anthony Albanese told caucus colleagues.

Australian Associated Press