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A federal anti-corruption watchdog has cleared its first hurdle after the government passed a proposed model through parliament's lower house.

Arguments from members of the cross bench failed to convince the Albanese government to change its threshold rule for public hearings, or agree to define the provision.

Independent MP Helen Haines, who spearheaded efforts to set up a federal integrity body, tried to remove the "exceptional circumstances" clause altogether, saying the provision was "unnecessary and alarming".

"This is the single most important change to this bill," Dr Haines told parliament on Thursday.

When this was not supported, Dr Haines pushed for the government to define the meaning of "exceptional circumstances".

Her amendments were backed by the Greens, other independents and Liberal MP Bridget Archer.

But Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the government did not support the changes, saying they were matters on which "reasonable minds may differ".

"The commissioner will have the discretion to hold public hearings if they're satisfied that it's in the public interest and exceptional circumstances justify doing so," he said.

"It is the government's view that this is an appropriate threshold which reflects the significant nature of the power to compel a person to answer questions."

Independent MP Zali Steggall said while the proposed model would help increase accountability and transparency, she did not believe it went far enough.

"This (bill) is not capturing that opportunity to genuinely deliver to the Australian people what they asked for at the election, which is public integrity and accountability," Ms Steggall said.

She said not defining exceptional circumstances left commissioners open to legal challenge, and that Australians would be kept in the dark if the government did not lower the bar for public hearings.

"I don't think there could have been any clearer call at the election in 2022 that the public has had enough," Ms Steggall said.

"They want to see integrity returned to this place."

Dr Haines also called for an amendment to address pork barrelling by political parties ahead of elections.

She said it was "beyond doubt" that pork barrelling fell within the definition of corrupt conduct.

However, Mr Dreyfus said the government's proposal included the commission's ability to investigate discretionary grants programs where they breach public trust.

Independent MP Dai Le, who represents the multicultural electorate of Fowler, was successful in her push for the commission to ensure translation and interpreter services be made available for witnesses.

But a further amendment to protect the mental health of witnesses by allowing them to disclose their involvement in a public hearing was not agreed to.

Mr Dreyfus said the commissioner would have discretion to allow a witness to talk to their spouse or partner about being called as a witness, and it did not need to be specified in the legislation.

"It is the government's expectation that the commission would make available appropriate translation, mental health and other support services to persons who require assistance," he said.

Additional cross-bench amendments to improve protections for public broadcasters and put time frames on reporting requirements were not agreed to.

The opposition proposed to mandate factors to be taken into account when determining whether to have a public hearing, and to clarify the definition of corruption, but these were not accepted.

An additional suggestion to only hold investigations on past matters when it was in the public interest was also rejected.

The Senate has extended its sitting calendar so laws to establish the commission can be passed before parliament finishes for the year next Friday.

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© AAP 2022

It has been confirmed Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo will remain in Formula One.

He is returning to constructors champions Red Bull as their reserve driver after leaving McLaren for whom he drove this season.

"This may be our worst kept secret, but the rumours are true - Daniel Ricciardo will return home and re-join the team as our third driver for 2023," Red Bull said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Bringing a wealth of experience and character, Daniel will assist the team with testing and sim (race simulator) work, as well as commercial activity."

Ricciardo has been replaced at McLaren by compatriot and 2021 Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri.

Ricciardo made his debut with Red Bull during the 2014 season after spending two years at junior team Toro Rosso (Alpha Tauri since 2020).

He spent five seasons with the team before making a switch to Renault in 2019, then subsequently McLaren in 2021.

"I'm truly excited to be coming back home," Ricciardo said. "For me personally, the ability to contribute to and be surrounded by the best team in F1 is hugely appealing, whilst also giving me some time to recharge and refocus."

"It is great to bring Daniel back into the Red Bull family. He has enormous talent and such a brilliant character; I know the whole factory is excited to be welcoming him home," said team boss Christian Horner.

Ricciardo has said he is unlikely to attend every GP as he will also seek to take some time off.

Champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are in the Red Bull starting line-up for 2023.

© DPA 2022

As a new climate report paints a damning picture of the state of the Australian environment, the federal government says preparations must go beyond emissions reductions.

The country's climate has warmed on average 1.47C since national records began in 1910, according to the State of the Climate report released on Wednesday.

"That's why we have set aside a billion dollars for a disaster-ready fund," Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek told the ABC.

"It reminds us too that we need to prepare for the worst - you already have governments talking about changing land use in the future, how to better prepare our emergency services, how to better prepare our health system for these extreme events."

The report found Australia is facing longer fire seasons, more intense tropical cyclones and oceans riddled with acidity due to rising global temperatures.

The eight years from 2013 to 2020 were the warmest on record, with 2019 taking top spot for the hottest recorded year.

"Concentrations of greenhouse gases are at the highest levels seen on Earth in at least two million years," director of the CSIRO's Climate Science Centre Jaci Brown said.

Since the 1950s, extreme fire weather has increased and fire seasons are starting sooner and ending later.

More rain like in recent La Nina seasons can heighten fire risks because thick vegetation dries out and creates fuel loads.

During question time on Wednesday, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said the government was committed to action, with an emissions reduction target legislated at 43 per cent by 2030 and the Senate ready to pass the government's electric vehicle tax cut.

"These are all important steps that are necessary and vital for Australia to act," he said.

However the Greens have remained critical of Labor's climate change policy, arguing the report reinforced the need for no more coal and gas plants.

"The government notes the State of the Climate report but then hides behind targets that are too low to fix it while also opening up new coal and gas mines," party leader Adam Bandt said.

The report from the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO found Australia in the coming decades will experience increasing air temperatures and decreasing cool-season rain, with short but heavy rains expected.

Sea levels will continue to rise and warmer ocean temperatures will mean coral bleaching becomes more likely.

Australians will experience fewer tropical cyclones but the ones they do will be more intense.

As those in flood-affected areas could attest to, the intensity of short rainfall events has increased 10 per cent per storm.

The report comes following widespread flooding in parts of NSW and Victoria.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said the cost could run into the billions of dollars.

© AAP 2022