PM

One Lebanese asylum seeker on Manus Island is refusing to be sent back home, as officials on the island continually remove asylum seekers from the regional processing centre. Meanwhile, the US refugee deal is progressing, and the centre is set to close by October this year. It comes as the Foreign Minister to Lebanon, Gebran Bassil, says he agrees with Australia's approach to the Lebanese citizens and that he will respect their rule of law.

The South Australian Government has lashed out at the power company AGL, after reports the company shelved plans for new investment in the state. The energy provider has confirmed it will change its energy investment blueprint in light of new government policy. South Australia announced last month it intends to build its own gas plant to provide power in emergency situations. The Government says big power companies have been overcharging South Australians for too long and more competition is needed.

People with little money living in caravan parks in the northern New South Wales town of Chinderah have lost everything. More than 60 per cent of the caravans and small cabin homes were inundated. Many residents were taken by surprise by a revised flood warning and ferried out in boats. Elsewhere in Chinderah, residents had water through the lower storeys of their homes.

Victoria's Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner is concerned some schools are penalising students based on their appearance. A 14-year-old student from country Victoria was expelled from his private Catholic school this week for having dreadlocks. His mother plans to take the matter further, and she's also been outraged at reports a Melbourne state school has targeted two school girls with braids.

An 11th hour deal's been done between the government and the Nick Xenophon Team to pass the coalition's company tax cut plan. Political reporter Tom Iggulden has been following events on a highly unusual day in the national Parliament.

After hearing from 1,200 witnesses on 400 sitting days, the child sexual abuse Royal Commission has finished its public case study hearings. The final evidence was from survivors who outlined the changes they want made after the commission delivers its final report at the end of the year.

The Gold Coast and Logan, south of Brisbane, are bracing for a rare flood, involving the two main river systems - the Albert and Logan Rivers. Hundreds of people in low lying areas have already been evacuated, but authorities are preparing for the situation to get worse at around midnight. Meanwhile, the clean up and recovery is well under way, with emergency services stretched to cover the extent of the damage from the state's north, to the southern border.

The flooding in northern New South Wales is spreading, and residents have lost water and power. Rain from ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie has drenched the region. And along the Tweed River, the water peaked, breaking the previous record level set in 1974. Tens of thousands of people have been told to evacuate their homes, but many with a second storey have chosen to stay.

The validity of 27 criminal convictions by West Australian courts, including several for murder, are tonight in doubt. Each of the cases involved DNA, tested by a senior biologist, who it's been revealed has been sacked for failing to follow protocol. WA's Attorney General John Quigley says it's an unprecedented disaster, which could have ramifications for all cases reliant on DNA.

A mature swim team that has an average age of 90 are attempting a new national record. The squad, known as the 360 team, will compete in a Masters Swimming competition on April 9. This is their second attempt after former team member John-William Steen passed away on the eve of their race last year.