Sam Phillips, a sports reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald join us with news of the first State of Origin rugby league match between Queensland and New South Wales which kicks off next week. However, it's an off-field move that is making the headlines in the leadup.

We take a look at some of the stories you may have missed in today's budget.

RNZ's Business Editor, Gyles Beckford gives us an overview of the wonners and the losers in today's Budget.

Mediawatch's Jeremy Rose joins Emile Donovan to discuss the media's portrayal of stories about the Chagos Islands, an ex-cop and former MP whose misfortunes are going strangely unnoticed, and a brave new world for regional journalists in New Zealand.

The government today released its long-awaited response to the Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry report, accepting or further considering 38 of the 40 recommmendations. But does this give hope to the sector - or will tomorrow's budget see the can kicked further down the road? Shaun Robinson is the chief executive of the mental health foundation and joins Emile to analyse what is being proposed.

The Union of European Football Associations choice of Azerbaijan as the host nation for the final of the Europa League final has lead to controversy. The match which takes place between Chelsea and Arsenal on Thursday has left Arsenal midfielder, and Armenian national Henrikh Mkhitaryan unable to play due to securtiy reasons. The concerns stem from ethnic and territorial conflict between Amrmenia and Azerbaijan.

The Australian Labor party has made a surprise heel turn yesterday by giving their support to a coalfield the size of Britain in Queensland yesterday. Climate change was supposed to be the ground on which the Australian Labor Party won this month's general election. However, in the coal country of Queensland voters were more concerned with the impact climate policy would have on their jobs. Which lead to huge swings of up to 20 per cent in favour of thhe pro-coal government of Scott Morrison. Emile talks to Amanda Mckenzie who is the Chief Executive of the Australian Climate Council about the impact this influx of coal will have on the climate.

Treasury has confirmed it has evidence it was deliberated hacked following the National Party's release of sensitive budget information earlier today. The news rounds out a day of fulsome political news, including the initial leak of Labour's Wellbeing Budget by the National party, big moves around Kiwibuild, and Alfred Ngaro silencing any suggestions he will be establishing a Christian Party. Emile talks through the last 12 hours of political news Stuff senior political reporter Henry Cooke.

The popularity of Game of Thrones has been well documented but the success of the show has lead to some surprising side effects here in New Zealand. The show popularises Siberian Huskies which are used to play the famed dire wolfs in the Game of Thrones universe. However, this has lead to a tremendous surge in the number of people who want to adopt the dogs as pets but not all these pet-owners know what they are signing up for. Michelle Atwood from Husky Rescue New Zealand has reported a number of cases where the dogs have been put up for re-adoption or even abandoned because the owners were not aware of how much time and effort is required to rear the animal. Michelle joins Emile to explain more.

Provincial rugby in New Zealand could be in for a dramatic shake up as Sky Television considers screening fewer live Mitre 10 Cup games. As the competition struggles with declining attendance rates, New Zealand Rugby hopes that showing fewer games will encourage more fans to go along to the games. Emile is joined by legendary broadcaster Keith Quinn to chat about the report and what it may mean for the future of domestic rugby.