Federal parliament will this week recognise Gough Whitlam’s contribution to Australia before it considers deregulating university fees.

Both chambers will start Monday with condolence motions for the former prime minister, who died last week at the age of 98.

• Whitlam memorial service announced
• Demolition of Whitlam birthplace on hold
• Now for Whitlam, the suburb
• Gough’s good work will live on after him

The Senate will as a mark of respect then postpone work for the day, as it wasn’t sitting when the lower house did so last week.

On Tuesday, senators will then debate the government’s plans to deregulate universities.

It is widely expected the coalition will make changes to its proposal, including modifying or dropping plans to charge real interest on student debts.

A Senate committee report into the legislation due on Tuesday may also recommend other changes.

The Senate will also deal with draft counter-terrorism laws that aim to stopping foreign fighters leaving Australia to join extremist organisations.

The government is set to accept 36 committee recommendations to amend the proposed laws.

The bill is expected to pass the Senate with Labor’s support and be considered in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the lower house will target rafts of red tape on Wednesday in the government’s second repeal day of the year.

The coalition wants to pass three bills introduced last Wednesday to erase more than 7000 pages of regulations from the statute books.

Also in the coming week, the Senate is expected to debate legislation setting up the emissions reduction fund, a key part of the government’s direct action plan.

And the parliamentary committee examining constitutional recognition of indigenous people will deliver an update on its work.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Abbott will make his inaugural annual infrastructure statement to parliament.

Mr Abbott says the government’s $50 billion infrastructure program includes vital roads and projects, such as Sydney’s second airport.