RUSH HOUR: Stories you need to know today

BUNNINGS is at the centre of a huge scam, after the Black Economy Taskforce alleged thousands of tradies are using the company to rip off the tax office.

• Flights diverted due to thick fog
• Plane terror suspect released
• Schools hit by writing skills slump
• Killer driver slams Australia
• Bunnings targeted in tradie tax scam
• Brisbane bus drivers to strike
• John Kelly flexes his muscles

Live: Rush Hour

Good morning! John Kelly has wasted no time assuming control of the White House in his new role as Chief of Staff, enforcing a military-style chain of command. Brisbane bus drivers will today walk off the job for the fourth time in three weeks. And it’s been revealed scores of tradies are using Bunnings to rip off the tax office.

8:20am

Flights diverted due to thick fog

Melbourne commuters are being urged to slow down and turn on their headlights as thick fog engulfs many parts of the city.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a road weather alert for the area due to reduced visibility making conditions dangerous.

There are also reports of flight delays at Melbourne Airport, with at least one Qantas flight diverted so far

Sarah Fulton from Airservices Australia confirmed the fog is causing delays but the airport remains open despite earlier reports it had been closed.

— read more in the Herald Sun

Confirming we are open as usual, despite a foggy start to the day. Please check https://t.co/bn7PQoxORh for flight info. #MelbourneWeather pic.twitter.com/YQU1DdaXtl

— Melbourne Airport (@Melair) August 1, 2017

7:45am

Plane terror suspect released

One of four terror suspects arrested over an alleged plot to bomb a plane at Sydney has been released without charge.

Federal police have searched several properties across Sydney following the arrests on Saturday afternoon of four men on suspected of planning an attack.

A 50-year-old man was released from police custody last night without being charged, a joint statement from the AFP and NSW Police said this morning.

The remaining three suspects will stay in detention under special powers which allow police to hold them for up to a week.

— read more in the Daily Telegraph

7:20am

School hit by writing skills slump

The latest round of NAPLAN results have revealed Australian children’s writing skills have gone backwards in the past six years.

All states and territories recorded worse average writing results this year than 2016, and results show other key literacy and numeracy skills have also stalled.

Students in the Northern Territory remained furthest behind, with only half of the Top End’s Year Nine students able to write to minimum standards.

Although the ACT, Victoria and NSW have consistently recorded the highest grades, they have plateaued in terms of student progress.

NAPLAN results show writing skills have decreased across the country. Picture: ACARA

6:55am

Killer driver slams Australia

Puneet Puneet, the runaway driver accused of killing 19-year-old nursing student Dean Hofstee during a drunken high-speed crash at Melbourne’s Southbank, has launched a last-ditch bid to avoid extradition from India to Australia.

The Herald Sun now reports he has recruited friends to claim he can’t get a fair trial because Australia is racist.

Fronting a New Delhi court, Indian-born chef Jayant Dagore, who has lived in Victoria and is now an Australian citizen, said: “Indians are not safe in Australia, and every case against India has some racial point into it.

“India should help Puneet, not Australia,” he told the court.

Mr Puneet admitted guilt over the crash, but used a friend’s passport to flee the country following the accident nine years ago.

Mr Hofstee’s father, Peter, said he’s “just looking for excuses”.

- read more in the Herald Sun

Puneet Puneet is still fighting extradition to Australia over a killer car crash. Picture: File

6:30am

Bunnings targeted in tradie tax scam

Thousands of tradesmen are allegedly using Bunnings to dodge tax.

The Australian reports they’re fraudulently quoting Bunnings’ Australian Business Number on invoices for their own services — which means although they’re getting paid, it’s impossible for the tax office to trace where the money is actually going.

It’s so rife Bunnings now has one of the most quoted ABNs in the entire country.

“We found out that more than 40 per cent of ABNs quoted in the Northern Territory were Bunnings,” said Michael Andrew, from the Black Economy Taskforce.

“Of course, every tradesman goes to Bunnings. They get an invoice — the ABN’s up top.”

He said the ABN system is simply not working, and at least 3.5 million ABNs across the country have never lodged a tax statement or tax return.

NT apprentice plumber Tyrone Pepretti says he’s never heard of anyone “doing the dodgy”. Picture: Amos Aikman

6:05am

Brisbane bus drivers to strike

Brisbane bus drivers will walk off the job today for the fourth time in three weeks over an ongoing pay dispute.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union advised Brisbane City Council some drivers will stop work between 10am and 2pm today, and a crowd of workers is expected to demonstrate at King George Square at around lunch time.

The Union and the Council have had a number of meetings in recent weeks, but have been unable to agree on wages, work hours and safety measures.

Commuters are advised to allow more time for their trip, and avoid the afternoon peak if at all possible.

Some Brisbane bus drivers will stop work today between 10am and 2pm. Picture: Annette Dew

5:45am

John Kelly flexes his muscles

New White House Chief of Staff John Kelly has wasted no time in showing who’s boss, enforcing a military-style chain of command among workers.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed on his first day, all staff would report into Kelly to give him “full authority” and bring “new structure, discipline and strength” to the team.

When asked whether this included Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon, Sanders was emphatic.

“That includes everybody at the White House,” she said. “General Kelly I think will bring new structure to the White House and discipline and strength. And we’re all really excited to work with him.”

- click here to read more

Donald Trump predicts John Kelly will be one of the “greatest” in the role. Picture: Evan Vucci