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Integrity, climate and cost of living will be back in focus as federal parliament meets for its spring session.

The two-week sitting period of the upper and lower houses will be the last before the Labor government delivers its first budget on October 25.

The government is expected to introduce its proposal for a national anti-corruption watchdog following a consultation period by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

A Commonwealth integrity commission was designed by the former Liberal-National coalition government but legislation was not brought to parliament for consideration before the parties' May election defeat.

The crossbench, many of whom were elected on a platform of returning integrity to parliament, are yet to scrutinise Labor's proposal.

"We haven't seen (the legislation) yet ... it's anticipated on Tuesday (and) that will be a really important step for integrity and transparency," independent MP Zali Steggall told Sky News on Sunday.

"It will then go to a joint standing committee for an inquiry and people will be able to make submissions to make sure this model works for increasing transparency and accountability in government."

Meanwhile, the government is resisting pressure to ditch coalition-initiated stage three tax cuts for high earners, which are set to benefit men the most.

With the full fuel excise returning at the end of the month, which will push petrol prices back up by 22 cents a litre, measures to ease the cost of living for Australians will also remain in the spotlight.

Legislation to set a 43 per cent emissions reduction target will be debated in the Senate, with Labor needing the support of all 12 Greens senators and one crossbencher to get the bill through parliament.

The coalition will not support the bill.

The Senate will also debate laws to restore territory rights to enable the ACT and NT to legislate for voluntary euthanasia in line with states.

Labor senators are allowed a conscience vote on the matter and the bill is expected to pass.

In addition, the government will seek to take action on key outcomes reached at last week's jobs and skills summit.

Changes to fair work laws have been flagged to allow all workers and businesses to negotiate in good faith for agreements that benefit them.

This includes small businesses, women, care and community services sectors, and First Nations people.

Laws will also be amended to remove unnecessary limitations on access to single and multi-employer agreements.

These changes will require the approval of both houses of parliament.

Action will be taken this year on the 36 outcomes identified from the summit, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Friday.

© AAP 2022

Costs of living and the changing climate are back in focus as federal parliament meets for its spring session.

The two-week sitting period kicked off in Canberra on Monday and will be the last time parliament meets before the Labor government delivers its first budget on October 25.

First speeches from five new members and two senators featured on Monday with each outlining the plans for their time in office.

Lower house independent MP Dai Le shared her family's journey to Australia as refugees after fleeing war-torn Vietnam.

Wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress emblazoned with the Australian flag, Ms Le demonstrated her commitment to the nation, while pledging to ensure her southwest Sydney community was not forgotten by federal parliament.

"I'm a proud Australian with Vietnamese heritage and I want to celebrate that and for me it is about celebrating being an Australian and the multiple cultures we have become as a nation," she told ABC News.

In the upper house, the first Afghan-Muslim female parliamentarian called on the Australian government to keep pressure on the Taliban to uphold human rights and freedoms a year on from the fall of Kabul.

West Australian Labor senator Fatima Payman, who was born in Afghanistan before seeking refuge in Australia, outlined the perils faced by those in the country.

The Senate reaffirmed Australia's commitment to helping those who assisted with operations during the war to find safe harbour.

The upper house also began debating legislation to set a 43 per cent emissions reduction target, with Labor needing the support of all 12 Greens senators and one crossbencher to get the bill through parliament.

The coalition will not support the bill.

The Greens introduced trigger laws to stop the environment minister from approving fossil fuel projects without considering the impact on climate change.

The Senate also began a debate on laws to restore territory rights enabling the ACT and NT to legislate for voluntary euthanasia in line with states.

Labor senators are allowed a conscience vote on the matter and the bill is expected to pass.

Meanwhile, the lower house cross bench successfully amended the standing orders - the rules governing the house - to ensure they will have three questions during Question Time.

Independent MP Zoe Daniel raised the issue, saying the cross bench has previously been denied an opportunity to question the government because of opposition interjections.

"It's important that we begin as we plan to continue in this new parliament, rather than allowing poor habits to evolve or simply turning a blind eye to deliberate, mischievous points of order," she said.

"This is denying crossbenchers the full opportunity to represent our communities in parliament."

The government supported the change allowing a crossbencher to ask the fifth, 13th and 17th question during Question Time.

The opposition sought to extend Question Time by 20 minutes but was unsuccessful.

Following last week's jobs and skills summit the government will seek to take action on key outcomes reached by attendees.

Changes to fair work laws have been flagged to allow all workers and businesses to negotiate in good faith for agreements that benefit them.

This includes small businesses, women, care and community services sectors, and First Nations people.

Laws will also be amended to remove unnecessary limitations on access to single and multi-employer agreements.

These changes will require the approval of both houses of parliament.

Action is expected to be taken this year on the 36 outcomes identified from the summit.

© AAP 2022

Petrol prices are expected to increase at the end of the month but the consumer watchdog is being asked to keep a close eye on retailers and wholesalers for any unfair behaviour.

The federal government has resisted calls to extend the fuel excise cut, due to end on September 29, citing budget pressures.

In March, the former Liberal-National government halved the fuel excise for six months in response to soaring fuel prices, slicing 22 cents off a litre of petrol.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week said his government was examining another fuel excise cut in the October budget.

But Treasurer Jim Chalmers has written to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to ensure retailers do not penalise customers ahead of the reintroduction of the full fuel excise.

The watchdog is being asked to ramp up its monitoring of anti-competitive retailer behaviour and to analyse fuel prices on a daily basis when the full excise is reinstated.

It will also write to fuel companies about passing on any price rises and will warn against giving customers misleading reasons for increases.

The commission has also been asked to notify consumers about the best times to buy petrol based on their locations and price cycle data.

The letter to ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb is about making sure Australian motorists get a fair deal at the bowser, Dr Chalmers said.

"Refiners, importers, wholesalers and retailers should consider themselves on notice: the ACCC is keeping a very close eye on fuel prices across the country to make sure any increases are justifiable," he said.

"There should be no doubt that if there is evidence of misleading or anti-competitive conduct by fuel retailers, the ACCC will take action."

The watchdog is due to release its latest report on retail petrol, diesel and automotive LPG prices for the June quarter on Monday.

© AAP 2022