Thanks for following the Need to Know blog today. Here are the biggest stories:

• In a photo finish for all places and an upset victory for first place, local gelding Knight’s Choice won the Melbourne Cup. Japanese runner Warp Speed came in second and Irish stallion Okita Soushi third.

• Peter Dutton told his colleagues to avoid being dragged into a debate over abortion before the next election, saying it cost the Queensland LNP votes in metropolitan seats in last month’s state election.

• Liberal-National senator James McGrath told Senate estimates he believed former Qantas boss Alan Joyce has brought the Order of Australia into disrepute and should have his national honour rescinded.

• Independent MP Monique Ryan said she gave up her Qantas Chairman’s Lounge membership last year after getting increasingly uncomfortable with the access lobbyists had to airport areas.