18:50:00 31/03/2017
An 11th hour deal's been done between the government and the Nick Xenophon Team to pass the coalition's company tax cut plan. Political reporter Tom Iggulden has been following events on a highly unusual day in the national Parliament. More
18:40:00 31/03/2017
After hearing from 1,200 witnesses on 400 sitting days, the child sexual abuse Royal Commission has finished its public case study hearings. The final evidence was from survivors who outlined the changes they want made after the commission delivers its final report at the end of the year.
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18:45:00 31/03/2017
The Gold Coast and Logan, south of Brisbane, are bracing for a rare flood, involving the two main river systems - the Albert and Logan Rivers. Hundreds of people in low lying areas have already been evacuated, but authorities are preparing for the situation to get worse at around midnight. Meanwhile, the clean up and recovery is well under way, with emergency services stretched to cover the extent of the damage from the state's north, to the southern border.
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18:40:00 31/03/2017
The flooding in northern New South Wales is spreading, and residents have lost water and power. Rain from ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie has drenched the region. And along the Tweed River, the water peaked, breaking the previous record level set in 1974. Tens of thousands of people have been told to evacuate their homes, but many with a second storey have chosen to stay.
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18:35:00 31/03/2017
The validity of 27 criminal convictions by West Australian courts, including several for murder, are tonight in doubt. Each of the cases involved DNA, tested by a senior biologist, who it's been revealed has been sacked for failing to follow protocol. WA's Attorney General John Quigley says it's an unprecedented disaster, which could have ramifications for all cases reliant on DNA.
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18:30:00 31/03/2017
A mature swim team that has an average age of 90 are attempting a new national record. The squad, known as the 360 team, will compete in a Masters Swimming competition on April 9. This is their second attempt after former team member John-William Steen passed away on the eve of their race last year.
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18:25:00 31/03/2017
Farming businesses have accused former federal agriculture minister, Joe Ludwig, of hiding his role in the 2011 live cattle ban to avoid litigation. A class action against the Federal Government claims Mr Ludwig used private email addresses and text messages to communicate with staff at the time of the ban. Today, the companies involved won an application to the Federal Court to demand access to communications between Mr Ludwig, his staff and the formerpprime minister, Julia Gillard. More
18:20:00 31/03/2017
There have been an overwhelming number of applications for compensation in South Australia for members of the Stolen Generations. Around than 350 people have applied for a share of the $6 million State Reparations Scheme, which closes today. Along with Tasmania, the state is only the second in Australia, with a fund for Aboriginal people removed from their homes and families when they were children. But many say money won't compensate the level of trauma experienced and much more needs to be done in addressing intergenerational issues caused as a result.
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18:15:00 31/03/2017
A concern about wild fisheries that supply salmon fish feed and environmental issues in Tasmania has prompted Australian Ethical Investments to sell it's $10 million share of Australia's largest salmon company Tassal. The company's shop in Hobart was the site of a protest today, with Tasmanian's who are upset about the impact salmon farming is having at Macquarie Harbour and those who oppose Tassal's plans to build new salmon farms on the state's east coast.
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18:10:00 31/03/2017
Victoria's Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner is concerned some schools are penalising students based on their appearance. A 14-year-old student from country Victoria was expelled from his private Catholic school this week for having dreadlocks. His mother plans to take the matter further, and she's also been outraged at reports a Melbourne state school has targeted two school girls with braids. More