PM

Tasmania's independent dominated Upper House is expected to vote next week on the State Government's plans to open 360,000 hectares of forest around the state for logging. One of the Independents wants the State Government to exclude the forest that passes through mountain bikes trails at Derby in her electorate where there's been a tourism boom and a world race will be held this weekend.

The Australia Medical Association is pushing for a national database of patients who buy prescription drugs to stop misuse and overdoses. Some residents in a south west suburb of Sydney say it is becoming all too easy to buy prescription drugs on the street, that is causing devastating effects.

Closing arguments have been heard today in a case that's raised big questions about the way Aboriginal people are dealt with in the criminal justice system. 25-year-old Aboriginal man Gene Gibson is appealing against his manslaughter conviction for the death of a white man in the state's north in 2010. His lawyers argue there was a miscarriage of justice. They say he didn't understand the instructions given to him through an interpreter when he pleaded guilty over 21-year-old Josh Warneke's death. The State of Western Australia's case centres on whether Gibson's memory can be relied upon.

In Queensland, the damage from Cyclone Debbie now stretches from the state's north to the southern border. The slow-moving flood waters are now moving to the coast through Rockhampton which is waiting for the surging Fitzroy River to peak. Locals there hope that this, the fourth major flood since 2011, will finally convince the federal and state governments to fund a permanent levee to prevent further destruction.

The US, France and Britain have condemned what they suspect is a chemical weapons attack in northern Syria. Dozens of people are believed to have been killed. The Syrian military has denied it was responsible. The UN Security Council is convening an emergency session tonight to discuss possible action. Dr Paul Walker is a chemical weapons expert and tells PM he believes Sarin gas was most likely used in the attack.

European foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg today are doing just that, discussing a comprehensive reconstruction plan for the country in the post-conflict stage. They hope investment in Syria might even assist peace efforts. The conflict in Syria is estimated to have cost the country $350 billion in economic losses and damage to infrastructure. The country urgently needs finance to get back on track. Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders told reporters at the meeting that Europe simply cannot pay for the reconstruction without a political solution. But one country that is already eyeing the spoils is close regime ally China.

The Prime Minister has spoken with US President Donald Trump over the phone. However, the leaders are yet to meet. A defence expert and business leader are urging for that meeting to occur soon. They are warning Australia can't afford to be left behind.

There are calls for a national approach to overcoming childhood obesity, with concerns that some kids are missing out on important advice about exercise and nutrition. Experts say that part of the problem is that there is no Medicare Item Number, making it difficult for a GP to refer a child to a specialist, without there being a fee. Now, there are calls for a rethink.

There's concern that the apparent decision of the entire RSL NSW state Council to stand aside was little more than a publicity stunt. RSL NSW is currently being investigated by police, the charities watchdog, and an independent audit firm, among other bodies, over several alleged financial scandals. In February, the council announced that it had agreed to stand aside, pending the outcome of yet another, separate, investigation. But it's since emerged that council members are still playing key roles within the organisation.

Serious economic modelling would find that the tax cuts for businesses with turnover of up to $50 million would not make much difference to jobs and growth, argues Stephen Long, who also says the RBA's speech lambasting lax bank lending represents a significant shift by the central bank.