China’s top diplomat in Australia says the rights of jailed journalist Cheng Lei are “well protected” despite her secret trial with no verdict, as he also denied Beijing seeks to dominate the Indo-Pacific.

A patchwork of laws covering sexual assault and defining coercive control would be unified across states and territories under an ambitious plan to better protect victims of domestic and family violence.

Mark Latham’s staff did not take part in a parliament-wide review into sexual harassment, bullying and misconduct, which he said was “a waste of money” and because getting offended “is a choice”.

And in sport, South Sydney – the Pride of the League – are stranded embarrassingly without a home ground for 2023 because the NSW Government refuses to make what the club claims is a “simple” decision.

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