17:50:00 10/05/2017
The opening shots of this year's Parliamentary budget battle have been fired over the dispatch box this afternoon in Question Time. The Government and the Opposition bickered over questions of fairness and responsible economic management. As they did so, discontent on the Government's backbench with Treasurer Scott Morrison's decision to raise taxes is beginning to appear.
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17:45:00 10/05/2017
The Treasurer's using an example from his own family to try to convince Australians to pay more tax to fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Scott Morrison's brother in law is a former fireman now in a wheelchair because of MS. The Federal Budget includes a personal tax increase to fund the NDIS - Mr Morrison says he's confident Australians are prepared to 'chip in' to ensure it is fully paid for to help people like his brother in law.
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17:40:00 10/05/2017
Clive Palmer's been forced to give evidence in the Federal Court in Brisbane, despite appearing unwell and attempting to argue his evidence may be unreliable due to heavy medication. Mr Palmer says he's been suffering from pancreatitis and was hospitalised and put on morphine last week. But the judge refused to allow him to give evidence without swearing an oath to tell the truth. Mr Palmer will now provide all records of contact with his nephew Clive Mensink who is at large, and Mr Palmer will face court again next Tuesday.
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17:35:00 10/05/2017
US President Donald Trump has dropped a political bombshell sacking the head of the FBI. President Trump said Director James Comey no was no longer able to effectively lead the bureau with senior Justice Department officials also highlighting his decision last year not to prosecute Hillary Clinton for using a private email server. Democrats say it's pure political payback for the FBI's ongoing investigation into the Trump administration's alleged links to Russia.
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17:30:00 10/05/2017
Finance experts are warning the Federal Government has set a dangerous precedent by taxing the major banks. As much as $30 billion has been wiped off the value of the big four banks in the past 10 days. Is this the start of a new form of government revenue-raising? And what other sectors in the economy could be in the firing line?
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17:25:00 10/05/2017
The Government's measures to help first home buyers enter the housing market have received mixed reactions. The Super Savings Scheme would see people save for a deposit of up to $30,000 through contributions to their superannuation. But experts are divided whether the changes will have any success in helping young Australians buy their first home.
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17:20:00 10/05/2017
Environmentalists and energy experts have slammed the Federal Budget, saying it neglects one of the country's most pressing issues - climate change. They say public spending is prioritising subsidies for fossil fuels, instead of investing in renewable energy. And the Queensland government is outraged the budget has not allocated any funding for improving water quality on the Great Barrier Reef. More
17:15:00 10/05/2017
The Federal Government's being warned that its hopes for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council could be dashed after the foreign aid budget was frozen. Academics and aid organisations have criticised the decision, which they argue reinforces already-negative perceptions about Australia's actions in the global humanitarian arena.
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17:10:00 10/05/2017
As you go to sleep tonight, hundreds of hackers across Australia will be trying to break into computer systems - just to prove their skills. A 24-hour, government-sponsored hacking competition is under way, with teams from universities going head to head. Not only will the winners take the glory, they're also likely to pick up a lucrative job in an industry chronically short of talent.
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17:05:00 10/05/2017
Perth's Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi is refusing to resign despite being found to have breached WA's Local Government Act 45 times. The breaches are linked to the non-disclosure of gifts and travel, including a $36 000 trip to the Beijing Olympics paid for by mining giant BHP Billiton.
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