PM

South Australia's September blackout sparked hours of debate about the merits of renewable energy versus older, dirtier power sources. Today the national energy market operator has released a report on the issue. In a nutshell, it recommends funding infrastructure that will better support energy from renewable sources.

One of the central figures in the Four Corners Northern Territory child detention investigation that sparked a Royal Commission had his say in court today. Former Don Dale inmate Dylan Voller says he was denied food, water and a toilet as punishment while being held in Territory detention centres. The Royal Commission today heard evidence from Voller after an earlier application to prevent the live broadcast of his evidence.

Another backbench revolt appears to be brewing against Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, this time over his decision to deliver the keynote address at an Australian Republican Movement event this coming Saturday. One conservative MP has told this program that if Mr Turnbull attends he'll 'alienate' core Liberal Party supporters. Another is warning of open dissent unless the Prime Minister argues against a republic in his speech. Labor, meanwhile, says the speech will be a test of Mr Turnbull's political courage as one of the republican movement's most powerful advocates in the nineties.

A report from the Equal Opportunity Commission has found sexual harassment is widespread in the South Australian Police Force. Cases ranged from unwanted sexual comments to attempted and actual rape. Forty-five per cent of respondents also experienced sex discrimination and reported the presence of a harmful 'boys' club' culture within the police force. The Equal Opportunity Commission is urging a cultural revolution in the South Australian Police.

There's a good chance that Jakarta's popular governor 'Ahok' will be convicted of blasphemy in a trial beginning tomorrow. He's been the focus of two huge protests in the Indonesian capital, led by hardliners who believe that a Christian shouldn't have authority over Muslims.

Dubbed the 'Onsen summit', President Putin of Russia and Prime Minister Abe of Japan will meet in a town in Japan known for its natural hot springs this week. The two world leaders have been accused of having a 'bromance' in recent months but this week they plan to take their relationship a little further when they climb into a hot-tub together. The two nations have an unresolved issue between them as they both claim territorial rights to a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean north of Japan, which Russia annexed after World War 2.

'Cleared for take-off' is the message from the Federal Government on the future of a second airport for Sydney, based at Badgery's Creek in the city's west. Trouble is, there's no flight path and no train line and there's plenty of resistance from the community concerned about the noise, health and environmental impacts. Anti-airport activists say after decades of fighting the plan, they're not giving up and politicians can expect it voters in Western Sydney to make is a major issue at the next state and federal elections.

The New South Wales Government has announced plans to relax some of its controversial lockout laws in Sydney's CBD. The changes come after a review from a former High Court judge who found that the laws were effective in reducing violence, but at a cost to the city's vibrancy.

The groups representing the electricity industry's distributors, generators and retailers have warned of increasing network instability if governments don't deliver an overhaul of energy policy soon. The Australian Energy Council and Energy Networks Australia have issued a joint statement ahead of tomorrow's COAG meeting. They advocate for a market based system to encourage the shift to cleaner energy, and say next year's review of climate policies should consider all options.

Victoria's Premier, Daniel Andrews has indicated the death of his father earlier this year led him to change his mind about voluntary euthanasia. Today the Victorian Government has released details of how it'll attempt to become the first Australian state to legalise assisted dying.