The World Today

Debate is raging within the Federal Government about whether it would be sensible to let some first homebuyers to use their superannuation to save for a deposit. And unlike most discussions in the lead up to a budget, the contributions are coming thick and fast right up to the level of Cabinet Ministers. The Government is preparing a housing affordability package in next month's budget. But there are clear divisions within the Coalition over whether superannuation is part of the answer.

The Business Council of Australia says it'll release a voluntary code next week, to try to crack down on the practice of big businesses delaying payments to smaller contractors and suppliers. The Small Business Ombudsman is recommending the government legislate to set a maximum payment time of 30 days for private companies, and 15 days for governments. But the BCA says it's voluntary code should be given time to show it can work, before legislation is considered.

Environmental lawyers have warned directors of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility to NOT fund Adani's coal railway in Central Queensland, because it is in breach of their duties. Indian coal miner Adani is seeking a $900 million loan from the facility so it can transport coal from its proposed mine in the Galilee Basin to the port for export. But lawyers say the facility's directors need to consider the financial risks associated with climate change and argue the investment is not commercially viable.

The Vocational Education and Training sector is reeling after the majority of colleges seeking to take part in the Federal Government's new student loans scheme were locked out. The sector is undergoing a shakeup after the disastrous VET FEE HELP student loans scheme. Spending on the loans blew out to billions of dollars, despite shockingly low course completion rates at many colleges.

Feral cats have already been responsible for the extinction of a number of Australian birds and mammals, and they threaten the future of dozens more. The task of reducing the feral cat population has been difficult due to the lack of effective and humane broad-scale control techniques. But now there's a new approach to targeting the creatures and it may help save many threatened native animals.

In a world first, scientists have replicated Parkinson's disease in a fish and found drugs that restored movement in the laboratory animal. The Australian researchers say it brings new hope to sufferers on World Parkinsons' Day. They expect it will be the first of many diseases to be modelled in zebrafish, which can offer faster results than mice research. The research has been published in the journal, Cell Chemical Biology.

There's mixed support in the Senate for a proposal to allow some first homebuyers to access their superannuation contributions to help save for a deposit. Labor, the Greens and the Victorian Senator Derryn Hinch are all opposed to the proposal, which the ABC understands is under serious consideration. But the Nick Xenophon team, One Nation, and Jacqui Lambie have all indicated varying levels of support. The Government says the budget will contain a whole suite of measures to address housing affordability for homebuyers and renters.

In the current property market, it's difficult to comprehend having to buy a house because there are no rentals available. But during the mining boom of around 2010, it's what many in remote communities such as Roxby Downs in outback South Australia had to do. Now, homeowners wanting to leave feel trapped by the market, as the following bust saw properties lose around half their value.

There are growing calls for the Federal Government to be held accountable for its bungled Centrelink debt notice system. The Human Services Department which dealt with complaints about automatic debt notices has faced a Senate hearing today. Welfare recipients are still angry about how they were treated and they hope this latest inquiry will uncover what happened.

Foreign ministers from the world's seven largest economies are meeting in Italy to discuss the situation in Syria, after last week's deadly chemical attack. As the ministers arrived, the United Kingdom raised the possibility of more sanctions to increase pressure on the Syrian regime. And the United States has revealed more details about the damage caused by its retaliatory airstrike on a Syrian military base.