PM

The NRL is considering life bans for players who seriously abuse women. The League's CEO Todd Greenberg made the announcement this week, at the start of the 11th annual women in league round, which celebrates the contribution women make to the game. The plan is light on detail so far and yet to be formally approved, but its proponents say it's a step ahead of any other Australian code.

So when is a bank considered a bank, and do we need more of them? The Federal Government thinks we need to boost competition in the sector, so it wants to tinker with the definition. Currently the rules say a bank is an 'authorised deposit-taking institution with capital over $50 million'. The Government wants that dollar figure threshold removed, so that small lenders can compete against the so called 'big four' banks. CHOICE Australia welcomes the move, saying the smaller lenders have better products and lower fees.

European authorities have dismantled an international network involved in the export and sale of horse meat. Dozens of people have been arrested for exporting meat deemed unfit for human consumption, and in some cases labelled as beef. The case was linked to a scandal in 2013 when Irish authorities detected beef burgers containing horse meat. But while the scam has crossed European borders, Australia's beef industry has remained immune to the controversy.

An Arnhem land band is riding high tonight after supporting one of the biggest rock bands in the world, during their Darwin stop over. Ngukurr's very own Lonely Boys warmed up the crowd of around 3,000 for Queens of the Stone Age at the Darwin Enterntainment Centre.

On Business PM: There's growing evidence the housing boom is coming to an end, and leading economic analysts are suggesting there could be problems in store. Business Reporter Michael Yanda speaks to UBS Chief Economist George Tharenou.

Western Australia's prison watchdog has filed a damning report on the state's juvenile detention centre. The Inspector of Custodial Services, Neil Morgan, says the number of critical incidents inside the Banksia Hill Detention Centre more than doubled in 2016, staff don't feel safe and the level of self harm among detainees is at an unprecedented level. He suggests the State Government open smaller detention facilities across WA and turn Banksia Hill into a drug rehabilitation centre or a women's prison.

GFG Alliance chairman Sanjeev Gupta has toured the steelworks at Whyalla, less than two weeks after the British consortium was announced as Arrium's buyer. Locals, workers and all levels of government rolled out the welcome mat for the man who's secured the future of the South Australian city.

Police in the US are facing tough questions after an Australian woman was shot dead by an officer in the city of Minneapolis. It has been revealed there were two police officers at the scene, but neither had their body cameras turned on.

The Prime Minister looks set to announce he's creating a British style Home Office. There are reports it would oversee Immigration, the Federal Police, border force and Australia's spy agency ASIO. The Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is tipped to head the new mega-department, giving him increased power within the Coalition's executive. The speculation comes as the Prime Minister announces the Defence Force will be given the power to help state and territory police deal with terrorism attacks.

The Referendum Council that was appointed to address Indigenous recognition in the Constitution has delivered its final report and taken the debate in a bold new direction. Gone is the suggestion of a reference to Indigenous people in the preamble to the Constitution. Now there's a call for a referendum that would enshrine an entire new body. It would be representative of Indigenous people in order to be a voice to Parliament and enable consultation on all legislation relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.