PM

The Queensland Government has rejected allegations it's dumping lockout laws because it has been bought by the alcohol industry. The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education says industry donations slowed after the Government passed the legislation last year, so it decided to backtrack. But the Attorney-General, Yvette D'ath denies the claim, arguing her Government sets a nation-leading standard on donations.

Could an Australian election be a target for cyber hackers along the lines of the recent American poll? The major parties have been invited to briefings from security agencies, and organised by the government, to outline what steps they could take to protect their data during campaigns. Labor welcomed the offer, while questioning why the Government publicised it so widely. PM speaks to Peter Jennings, head of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

The Victorian Government has begun what it's calling a major shakeup of the state's bail system. A man on bail killed five people and injured dozens more in the CBD last Friday. Some involved are still fighting for life in hospital.

The head of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has declared it's highly likely the wreckage of missing Malaysia airlines flight MH370 is north of the suspended search zone. The Governments of Malaysia, China and Australia have decided to suspend the underwater search for the plane. But the ATSB's Greg Hood maintains that experts have a fair idea of where it might be.

International Law Professor Don Rothwell says it is possible under treaties law to renegotiate the multi-lateral trade deal known as the Trans Pacific Partnership, despite the new US government's intention to pull out from the deal. Professor Rothwell says it's possible President Donald Trump will change his mind in the future, but regardless the Australian Government could pursue a reworked deal with the 10 other participating countries. The Federal Opposition says the Government should explain the economic benefits of continuing with the TPP if the United States pulls out.

In New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian has been sworn in as the state's 45th Premier, after being elected unopposed as Liberal leader in a party room meeting this morning. The former treasurer has identified local infrastructure, housing affordability, and building a strong economy as her policy priorities.

The Federal Government says it will fund the national expansion of a suicide support service for Indigenous families. The $10 million roll-out will begin in South Australia and the Northern Territory this year. But Arnhem Land's peak Aboriginal health service says it hasn't been told about the plan and is concerned it won't be locally-driven.

Tasmania has had a dramatic rise in the state of the state report that measures the economic health of the nation's state's and territory - Commsec says affordable housing is driving population and economic growth in Tasmania. But the state isn't booming everywhere while Hobart may be moving forward the north of the state isn't growing as fast.

There's further evidence that measures taken by the banking regulator, APRA, to manage housing affordability have backfired. The latest official data show, in trend terms, housing finance for owner-occupiers flat-lined late last year, while loans to investors rose. The Reserve Bank has repeatedly said that lending restrictions - enforced by the banking watchdog - would an important part of keeping interest rates at historic lows.

The US President, Donald Trump, has taken to Twitter in the aftermath of a march against his new role, saying he recognises the rights of people to express their views. The Head of Campaign Operations for the Women's March on Washington, Vanessa Wruble, says she thinks the event sent a powerful message.