PM

A collection of Queensland child abuse support groups are leaning hard on the State Government to finesse its child abuse claims bill before it hits Parliament this week. They want the reform bill to be expanded to include victims of physical as well as sexual abuse, in line with similar legislation introduced in New South Wales.

Western Australia's Aboriginal Legal Service is defending a complaint it's made to the Human Rights Commission about a controversial cartoon by Bill Leak. The cartoon, published by the Australian newspaper in August, depicts an Aboriginal man with a beer can who does not remember his son's name. On Friday the Aboriginal Legal Service announced it had lodged the complaint on behalf of two Aboriginal clients. But a Liberal Senator has questioned whether the ALS told the men exactly how their signed statements were to be used.

To Jakarta now where the city's Governor is being questioned by police over blasphemy allegations linked to last week's violent protests. The Governor known as Ahok arrived at the national police headquarters this morning waving to a large media pack as he entered the building. On Friday, a massive street protest attracting 150,000 strong crowd and led by hard-line Muslim groups turned violent as dark fell with 350 people injured and one elderly man dying.

New figures out today have unsettled a few key players in the property market. The latest private sector data show that total construction work around the country actually contracted last month. It could mean an end to the multi-year construction boom - engineered by the Reserve Bank to stimulate the property market.

Planning to deliver a baby before 39 weeks can significantly increase the risk of the child having developmental delays, new Australian research has found. The important findings come from a study of more than 150,000 Australian babies born after 32 weeks, who were assessed at kindergarten age.

Experts will gather in south-east Queensland this week to discuss a foreign ant that's been known to kill livestock and even humans. The Red Fire Ant has been plaguing south-east Queensland for 15 years and could soon cross the border into New South Wales. Now the Federal Government has to decide whether to ramp up efforts to eradicate the pest or develop ways to live with the invasive species.

Four options for a new interconnector between South Australia and the eastern states, have been put forward by ElectraNet, at a cost of up to $2.5 billion. In a new report, the power transmission company has highlighted the need for a long-term solution for the state to ensure lower power prices and better security of the electricity market. It also says South Australia's increased reliance on gas for firm power supply, could see customers there pay millions more each year than those in other states.

Nine News and Southern Cross Austereo have announced a bold move into regional news broadcasting, with 15 new local bulletins in the eastern states from early next year. The move is seen by one analyst as a bid to convince crossbench senators to pass the Government's media reforms.

As the Hazelwood power station prepares to close, the Greens say Australia has failed to plan properly for a future of renewable energy. And a Climate Institute report shows Australia's progress is at odds with global momentum.

The Federal Government has announced that victims of institutional child sexual abuse will be eligible for up to $150,000 compensation. The Commonwealth will lead the program, with states, territories and institutions, including churches, able to opt in. But already there are questions about whether South Australia will participate.