The latest national news update from the National Indigenous Radio Service.
Gay marriage bills kick off parly week
Federal parliament resumes today with the Turnbull government expected to face continued pressure for a direct vote on same-sex marriage and a royal commission into banks.
The four-day sitting week kicks off with private members’ bills on marriage equality from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Greens MP Adam Bandt, whose bill is co-sponsored by other independents.
Meanwhile, a conservative Liberal backbencher opposed to same-sex marriage has warned cabinet not to deny taxpayer dollars for both sides in a plebiscite on the issue.
Eric Abetz has told ABC radio he’s outraged over suggestions there may not be government funding for the yes and no cases and says it would breach the arrangements agreed to last year.
Hinch vows to name and shame pedophiles
Newly elected Senator for Victoria Derryn Hinch has vowed to name names of convicted sex offenders under parliamentary privilege during his first speech to the Senate.
The former broadcaster has long campaigned to name and shame pedophiles and was jailed for contempt of court in 2014, after he published the criminal history of the murderer of Melbourne woman Jill Meagher on his blog.
Senator Hinch will deliver his first speech at 5pm today.
Investigations into Sydney terror attack
Anti-terror police will be further investigating today what prompted a 22-year-old Sydney man to launch a savage stabbing attack in Minto on Saturday, that’s left a 59-year-old man in hospital.
Ihsas (EE-SASS) Khan did not appear in Parramatta Local Court yesterday charged over the alleged Islamic State-inspired attack, where his case was adjourned until Wednesday.
He also allegedly tried to attack police when they arrived to arrest him over the attack on Wayne Greehalg, who’s still in Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition with injuries to his body and hands.
Reward to help find William Tyrrell
The NSW government will announce a reward for information that leads to the recovery of three-year-old William Tyrrell, who disappeared from his grandmother’s yard two years ago today.
A media conference will be held at Manly police station this morning where the reward will be announced by Premier Mike Baird and top police officers.
Strike Force Rosnan has reportedly been given information about 600 persons of interest in relation to the case, and police have previously said the boy in the Spider-Man suit could have been the target of a pedophile ring in the north coast region.
Ecstasy makes a comeback in Australia
There are fresh calls for a rethink on pill-testing at festivals after research discovered ecstasy is making a comeback in Australia.
The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre says there’s been a rise in usage recently and most users don’t know what’s in the ecstasy pills they’re taking.
Concrete pellets and malaria pills have been sold off as ecstasy in the past and many others are laced with rat poison and other deadly chemicals.
SES hoping Vic floodwater recedes
A major flood warning remains in place for Victoria’s southwest, but emergency crews are hoping floodwaters will recede enough to allow them to survey any damage.
The Glenelg river peaked at 6.1m early yesterday morning, leaving about 10 homes inundated and at least 40 more surrounded by water.
