PM

The inquest into the death of cricketer Phillip Hughes has heard there was no strategy to target the batsman through the use of short-pitched deliveries or 'bouncers'. Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was captain of New South Wales the day Phillip Hughes was struck on the head at the SCG in November 2014. On the stand today, Haddin denied instructing his bowlers to bowl short to Hughes as a way of intimidating him and getting his wicket. Another former Australian bowler has denied sledging Hughes, using words to the effect of 'I'm going to kill you.'

A charity that works with youth at risk of going to detention and prison has published a book telling the stories of nine men who transformed their lives. Many of the men now have jobs, families and some are working helping at risk youth avoid jail. The book was launched by the Governor of Tasmania, Kate Warner, a former Law Professor and Criminologist who says youth should be put in diversion programs rather than detention if possible.

A possible backflip on the New South Wales greyhound racing ban could take the heat out of tonight's Nationals party room meeting. There's been leadership tension within the New South Wales branch of the party, with Deputy Premier Troy Grant facing a spill over the policy. The Premier Mike Baird's office says it won't comment on speculation he's preparing to announce a reversal of the ban, in favour of a new policy that includes tougher animal cruelty penalties and caps on breeding. Today, Liberal MPs have been voicing their support for Mr Baird.

The number of great white sharks off Western Australia's coast could be set to increase, according to a report prepared for the State Government. The briefing note, given to WA Premier Colin Barnett and Fisheries Minister Joe Francis, points the finger at fishing restrictions and the introduction of Commonwealth marine parks.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed a new tribunal will be set up to hear complaints of bank misconduct. But the structure and scope of the new body won't become clear until after a review of the banking system. The Opposition and Greens say the Coalition has colluded with the banks over the plan. Labor still insists a royal commission is the only way to properly investigate the sector.

The last Australian-made Ford has rolled off the production line at the company's Broadmeadows plant, in Melbourne's north, marking the beginning of the end of the road for car manufacturing in Australia. Holden and Toyota are due to shut up shop next year. Workers are looking to diversify their skills, in growth sectors like aged care.

The British Pound has plunged to a fresh 31 year low against the US dollar as the reality of Brexit starts to bear down on the UK economy. This week the currency has been punished as the pressure builds for Britain to get on with the job of leaving the European Union. Incredibly, the currency fell as much as six per cent in just a few seconds when Asian markets opened for business this morning, highlighting just how jumpy traders in the market have become.

State and federal health ministers have agreed to bring forward a review over restrictions on gay men donating blood. Men who have sex with men must remain abstinent for 12 months before they're allowed to donate, a policy Victorian health minister Jill Hennessey calls discriminatory. The review, which was originally slated for 2018 will now take place next year.

The New South Wales Government has been accused of 'sneaking' through changes to the acceptable size of prison cells. From now on, the Commissioner of Corrective Services has the power to decide what size a cell should be. Opponents say that lacks scrutiny, and they have big concern for prisoner well being.

The national spy agency wants the power to arrest and detain family members of terror suspects for up to seven days without a judicial warrant. At the moment a judge has to sign off on this type of arrest and detention, and be present for questioning. ASIO made the case in a submission to the government's National Security Monitor, Roger Gyles QC. President of the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties, Stephen Blanks, says his understanding is that ASIO would find it 'inconvenient' to seek a warrant to detain family of terror suspects, and is critical of the request.