Your afternoon Briefing: Labor’s slur against Joe Hockey

Good afternoon, readers. Labor’s attack on Joe Hockey a “weak” bid to distract from real problems and Daniel Andrews’ 10-year toll pain.

Good afternoon, readers. Labor’s attack on Joe Hockey has been labelled a “straight-out sneer” and Daniel Andrews defends his 10-year toll plan.

joehockeyusa Fantastic to celebrate the re-opening of Westfield World Trade Center with the company's founder, chairman and great Australian businessman and philanthropist Frank Lowy. #westfield #westfieldwtc #oculus #nyc

Coalition defends Hockey over ‘straight-out slur’

The Coalition says Labor attempts to discredit Joe Hockey over Helloworld are a “weak” bid to distract from their own problems. Meanwhile, Kelly O’Dwyer has urged politicians to overcome “tribal echo chambers”, and thanked friends including Julie Bishop and Malcolm Turnbull in her valedictory speech.

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Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to media at a press conference at the entry point for the West Gate Tunnel boring machine in Footscray, Melbourne, Wednesday, February 20, 2019. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett) NO ARCHIVING

Tunnel’s 10-year toll pain

Premier Daniel Andrews has defended a plan to charge motorists a toll in Melbourne’s east for an extra decade to pay for a tunnel in the city’s west.

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Aviation firefighter doing his Certificate 4 at the training grounds inside Sydney Airport. ARFF fightfighers handle fuel spills, hazmat, first aid in the terminal and aircraft and vehicle accidents within the airport and they must be reaccredited every 90 days.

Up a ladder to a slippery slope

Aviation firefighters are not allowed to train on a ladder above two metres, Senate estimates has revealed. Chris Kenny asks: Has the nanny state won?

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Former union boss Dave Hanna arrives at the District Court in Brisbane, Wednesday, February 20, 2019. Hanna, a former CFMEU Queensland secretary, is accused of forcing himself on a woman at her apartment in the northern suburb of Taigum on March 4, 2017. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) NO ARCHIVING

Hanna claims woman consented

Former union boss and Labor powerbroker Dave Hanna believes he consensually had sex with and filmed the woman who has accused him of rape.

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A satellite picture as tropical Cyclone Oma heads toward south East Queensland. Pic NASA/Modia

Oma edges closer to Queensland

Cyclone Oma is set to hit Queensland’s southeast coast, bringing damaging winds and heavy rainfall, after battering the Pacific Islands.