The World Today

Another Victorian coroner has backed calls for a safe injecting room to be trialled in the inner-Melbourne suburb of North Richmond. It's the second coronial finding in a matter of months calling for the trial, in response to a high level of heroin-related deaths and overdoses in the neighbourhood.

A third of Australian children say their dad's work too much. That's the finding of a new Australian National University study, which has revealed the perceptions and effect that working fathers have on their children. Researchers say work culture and social norms are making it hard for dads to be the fathers they want to be, and parents groups agree.

The Social Services Minister, Christian Porter, says he was surprised to learn that taxpayers have been funding a UFO enthusiast group on the New South Wales central coast. But are government grants to such groups such an off-the-planet suggestion?

Australian Taxation Office Deputy Commissioner Michael Cranston has been issued with a court attendance notice, for allegedly abusing his position as a public official. Police claim Mr Cranston was asked by his son Adam to access ATO information, although he is not believed to be a conspirator. While Adam Cranston is one of nine people accused of defrauding the Commonwealth of $165 million. Police allege the group used the money to lead lavish lifestyles, buy luxury cars, vintage wines and planes.

The US Department of Justice has appointed a former FBI boss to lead an independent inquiry into allegations of Russian interference in last year's US election. The President is already facing accusations from the now sacked head of the FBI, James Comey, that he tried to shut down an FBI probe into his former National Security Advisor. Now the Washington Post is reporting claims that Donald Trump himself was on the payroll of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

The appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel has been welcomed by Republican party critics of Donald Trump's Administration. Richard Painter, served as the White House ethics lawyer under George W Bush and joins The World Today.

Prime Minister Turnbull has given assurances that Australian intelligence agencies won't change the way they deal with the United States in response to the allegations about President Trump passing classified information to the Russians. But should they? Joining The World Today is John McCarthy, one of Australia's most experienced diplomats who is well versed in the world of intelligence sharing.

As the latest scandal swirls around the US Administration, and President Donald Trump, conservative supporters say it's all part of an ongoing effort to delegitimise the president. Some outspoken media outlets have issues rallying cries, for Trump supporters to unite behind their leader, while others say they're interested to see what will come of various investigations underway, including into whether there are any ties between the Trump administration and Russian election meddling. Meanwhile, regular Republican voters say the mud won't stick.

Developments in Washington are hurting local investors. Around $35 billion has been wiped off the local share market in just two days. Official jobless numbers have also been released showing a decrease in unemployment but an increase in underemployment.

The Queensland Government is preparing to give Indian mining giant Adani a 'royalties holiday' worth hundreds of millions of dollars if it builds the proposed Carmichael Mine in the state's north. The ABC understands that the Queensland Government is proposing that Adani pay just $2 million a year in royalties once the $21 billion project starts operating.