Home by Christmas...that's the hope for many of us this Friday....after the nations leaders agree to reopen internal borders in time for quarantine-free Christmas travel. WA is the only state not to sign up to that deadline, but tonight will significantly ease restrictions at its border. We travel along the Nullabor to hear from communities about their excitement and fear about the border opening up. Also:

* The Federal Government says it will create a new law enabling it to declare a national state of emergency.  It's one of the recommendations made by the Natural Disaster Royal Commission.

* National cabinet has today announced its national vaccine strategy to roll out a mass program as soon as possible.

* Less than a week before Scott Morrison is due to visit PNG the future of the country’s PM’s hangs in the balance after a mass walkout on his coalition government.

* Aboriginal leaders have blasted inaction on reducing indigenous incarceration rates, at the National Aboriginal press Club's first televised speakers event in Darwin.   

* International students who study in Australia have slammed today's announcement that ex-patriate Australians returning home will get priority over students stuck overseas.

* It's an age old problem - but is the government's Jobmaker program increasing discrimination against older workers?