Political debate is expected to sharpen over tax cuts, a by-election test and conflict in the Middle East as federal parliament resumes this week.

Anthony Albanese spent Saturday on the hustings as he faces his government’s third poll test two years into the job, at the Dunkley by-election.

The prime minister joined Labor’s candidate Jodie Belyea and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to honour the seat’s long-serving former member, Peta Murphy who died after a long battle with cancer.

Mr Albanese unveiled a $1.5 million cash injection to accelerate the creation of a national registry for cancers that have spread to other parts of the body.

The coalition has preselected Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton promising locals a significant rail upgrade if his party wins the next federal election.

Residents head to the polls on March 2 to elect a new member with Labor facing a possible swing against it in the Mornington Peninsula seat.

The government has faced fierce attacks from the opposition accusing it of reneging on an election promise, following its decision to amend the legislated stage three tax cuts.

The coalition has also questioned whether Labor will pursue other tax reforms including negative gearing.

Ministers have hosed down the prospect of any further tax changes and argued the benefits of sharing the tax cuts to low to middle-income earners during a period of high cost of living.

Meanwhile, Australia’s support for Israel is expected to be challenged by the Greens once federal parliament resumes on Tuesday.

The party will seek to reverse parliament’s support of Israel’s invasion of Gaza amid the rising death toll, the humanitarian situation and the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel’s actions may constitute genocide.

“Since the Parliament tragically declared its support for Israel’s invasion, over 26,000 Palestinians have died, many of them children,” Greens leader Adam Bandt said.

“Surely there has been enough loss of life for Labor to change position and stop backing the invasion.”