PM

A report commissioned by the Independent Brewers Association shows the tiny sector has expanded from 30 businesses in 2006, to around 420 today. The IBA says heavy excise duties are keeping a lid on further growth, and now they're seeking relief from the Federal Government.

Business PM catches you up on the most important news in business and finance.

Business PM catches you up on the most important news in business and finance.

Three senior managers who were at the helm of the Tokyo Electric Power company - known as TEPCO - have apologised for their role in the Fukushima nuclear disaster, but have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges against them. They're accused of not doing enough to prevent the disaster, and today was the opening day of their trial in Tokyo.

Australian police have smashed an international drug syndicate accused of trying to smuggle a huge amount of cocaine into the country. Raids across Melbourne have lead to the arrest of seven men, and the seizure of $30 million worth of the drug. It comes as a new report from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission warns things aren't slowing down.

A new study has revealed young men who leave the Australian Defence force, and are discharged involuntarily, are at higher risk of suicide. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report has found 325 ADF personnel died by suicide in the 14 years to 2015. Veterans welfare groups say more needs to be done to connect those leaving defence with the many support groups that exist.

After 10 months of hearings and community meetings across the Northern Territory, the Royal Commission into youth detention and child protection concludes today. Now, the commissioners - former Queensland judge Margaret White and Mick Gooda, a former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner - will retire to compile their report, due at the end of September.

Observers in the Iraqi city of Mosul says they're increasingly worried about civilians being caught up in the final battle to retake with the city from Islamic State. Human Rights Watch says both the number of bombs and their size has been increasing as the Coalition air strikes, of which Australia is a part, rain down on Mosul. Human Rights Watch's Senior Iraq researcher, Belkus Ville, has been in the city to witness the conflict and recently visited defence officials in Canberra.

Official data show Australians, on the whole, have never been wealthier. Figures from the Bureau of Statistics show total household wealth stood at a record $9.6 trillion at the end of March. But with nearly 3 million people still living below the poverty line, the nation's peak body for community services says it just highlights a 'disturbing growing divide in Australian society'.

The mighty Fitzroy River in Western Australia's Kimberley has long been the source of hot political debate. Politicians of varying stripes have wanted to pump its water south. But as well as coming up against economic reality, they've also had to contend with traditional owners and conservationists who guard the river fiercely. Now WA billionaire Gina Rinehart has revealed she wants to draw more water from the Fitzroy for her cattle business.