No Negotiations For Tax Package
The Morrison government has told cross-benchers the income tax-cut package will be presented to parliament as a whole, and there will be no negotiations.
The government needs four cross-benchers to support the tax package, if it is not backed by Labor.
Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, says she wants the government to prioritise cuts to power prices and increasing infrastructure spending, but the Finance Minister says he will not negotiate.
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt Contend for British PM Position
The Tory leadership contest has come down to Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt as the two final contenders for British Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson, who received 160 votes to Hunt’s 77 in the last ballot, is a staunch supporter of Brexit, and wants to stick to the deadline of October 31, with or without a deal in place.
Jeremy Hunt says he would rather have a deal in place when leaving the European Union, even if that means extending the deadline.
German Politicians Receive Death Threats Over Pro-Refugee Stance
Several German politicians have received death threats over their pro-refugee stances.
An email sent to politicians and media outlets on Tuesday night warned of an upcoming purge and called for terror attacks on left-leaning politicians, refugees, and Jews in Germany.
A politician for the German Green party told newspapers that the latests death threats indicate a new escalation of agitation and violence from the extreme right.
8am Zedlines
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Protests in Georgia Over Russian MP's Speech
Thousands of protesters tried to get into Georgia’s Parliament after the appearance of Russian MP Sergei Gavrilov.
Mr Gavrilov addressed parliamentary chairman Irakli Kobakhidze and other officials to resign which generated tensions.
Georgian police managed to keep the protesters from entering the building.
India Facing Water Crisis
India’s sixth largest city, Chennai is facing a water crisis, with people fighting in queues for water, many unable to shower and small businesses being forced to close.
Most of Chennai’s population of four million are now relying on government tankers for water, which can take up to four days to arrive.
Government officials say that rainfall is the city’s only hope.
Milk Recall Over E. Coli Fears
The milk company responsible for last weeks recall has issued a second notice in less than a week with concerns that some of their milk is contaminated with E. Coli.
The recall was placed on one and two litre milk bottles sold across Victoria and Southern New South Wales and have a used-by-date of the July 2.
Milk company Lactolis identified the source of the contamination and has now taken the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of the issue in the future.
Cory Bernardi Deregisters Party
Former Liberal senator Cory Bernardi is deregistering his political party the Australia Conservatives, after its poor performance at the federal election.
Bernardi is open to the idea of returning to the Liberal party after leaving in February 2017 to begin his own.
Bernardi says the party’s lack of political success, financial position and the re-election of a Morrison-led government meant the Australian Conservatives are no longer needed.
Weaponised Drones Fly to Brisbane
A new facility for the development of smart weaponised robotic drones will open in Brisbane next month, the weapons will fly and fire by themselves.
It’s expected for the emerging drone industry to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Queensland’s economy in 5 to 10 years.
The Innovation Minister, Kate Jones, says they want Queensland to be the drone capital of Australia.
Queensland Fishing Club Cleans Up Waterways
The Jolly Rogers Fishing Club are on a mission to clean up Queensland’s waterways, pulling rubbish out of the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.
Jolly Rogers CEO, Steph Foote says so far, the club has hauled more than four tonnes of plastic and other items found in the river.
Foote says the club has received a lot of positive feedback from those who use the river, who say there is a lot less rubbish when they go out to fish.