The United States wants to regularly rotate long-range heavy bombers through Australia, as concerns grow over China's military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.

Federal ministers have confirmed the Government is actively considering bringing the budget forward, ahead of an early election.

New York, US - A group of Palestinians has launched an ambitious $34.5bn lawsuit against US-based tycoons, charities and firms for supporting Israeli land grabs, settlement-building and other violations of Palestinians' rights these past four decades.

They seek damages from Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson; Irving Moskowitz, a philanthropist with property interests in East Jerusalem; and megachurch pastor John Hagee for financing the construction of settlements on Palestinian soil.

On Monday night's Q&A, the radio presenter appeared to absolve all those aged 28-years-and-under of moral and ethical responsibility as he defended Cardinal George Pell's response to the sexual abuse of children within the Catholic Church.

The shock jock was responding to an audience question which suggested Pell - now one of the highest ranking Vatican officials - should be removed from his post over his lack of action on reports of abuse.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has branded the 2013 Senate election result "an embarrassment" and the preference deals that delivered power to the micro-parties a "disgrace" as upper house crossbenchers came together to plot revenge for the Coalition's voting reforms.

In his strongest comments yet on the issue, Mr Turnbull told the NSW Liberal Party faithful on Saturday he was seeking to "restore democracy" with his bill to introduce optional preferential voting, which would purge Parliament of the micro-parties. The bill is expected to pass this month with Greens support.

Chart from Desmog. Extrapolation by Gus

Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott break bread as sub row continues

Cardinal George Pell has told the child abuse royal commission he was deceived in a world of crime and cover-ups by people who did not want the status quo disturbed.