Australia's two year campaign for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council may end with a no-contest victory, as France pulls out of the race.
SBS World News understands Australia is now all but certain to take one of two free seats on the Human Rights Council, as France's withdrawal leaves places open for Spain and Australia.
The head of Human Rights Watch in Australia, Elaine Pearson, says the development is an opportunity for Australia, but it would be a shame if the process is stripped of its competitiveness
A Liberal backbencher is warning that Australians will die because of high power bills driven by renewable energy.
The chair of the coalition's climate committee, Craig Kelly, says he is concerned over recent reports that one-in-four Australian households this winter will be frightened to turn on the heater due to high power prices.
He has told Sky News, more needs to be done to reduce power bills.
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Power bills crisis Source: SBS
Those legal costs are set to increase as asylum seekers argue the breach revealed their countries of origin, placing them at greater risk of persecution.
In 2014, the Immigration Department accidentally published the names, gender and boat arrival dates of those in detention centres on Christmas Island and the Australian mainland.
Queensland has won rugby league's annual State of Origin series with New South Wales for the 11th time in 12 years with a 22-6 victory in the deciding match.
In this file image, a boat carrying asylum seekers arrives at Christmas Island on Thursday, June 28, 2012. Source: AAP
Man of the match Cameron Smith, debutant five-eighth Cameron Munster and hat-trick winger Valentine Holmes inspired the triumph before a crowd of more than 52,000.
It was the perfect Origin farewell for injured Maroons five-eighth Johnathan Thurston, who received a pre-match tribute.
Maroons coach Kevin Walters says he is proud of the hurdles the team has overcome.
Source: AAP: David Crosling
