Your afternoon Briefing: Shorten at odds with ABC, Nine on debates

Your 2-minute digest of the day’s top stories.

Hello readers, here’s what’s making news this afternoon.

NEWS2019ELECTION 26/4/2019. DAY 16 Opposition Leader Bill Shorten speaking at a press conference after the launch of ÒAustralian Women, LaborÕs Plan for Equality" at the Queen Victoria Women's Centre in Melbourne. Picture Kym Smith

Shorten at odds with ABC, Nine

Bill Shorten claims he has not rejected more leaders’ debates with Scott Morrison, despite both the Nine Network and the ABC revealing today he knocked back their offers of a prime time face-off. Keep up with the latest from the campaign trail in our live blog, PoliticsNow.

—

Video stills from supplied footage of counter-terrorism police outside a church in North Melbourne detaining a man on the ground.

Counter-terror operation under way

Counter terrorism police are searching a building in North Melbourne after arresting a young man at gunpoint outside a church.

—

Post from Paul Bunney's facebook page, with Rebekha Sharkie MP . Picture: Facebook/Paul Bunney

Stalking setback for Sharkie

The campaign of Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie has suffered a significant setback with one of her volunteers charged with allegedly stalking her Liberal rival Georgina Downer.

—

Did Scott Morrison or Bill Shorten have the better week? Picture: AAP/Michael Klein

Who won the week?

As campaigning paused for Easter and Anzac Day, Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten jockey for an advantage. Chris Kenny and Troy Bramston ponder who came out on top.

—

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing in April 26, 2019. (Photo by FRED DUFOUR / AFP)

New world order

Chinese President Xi Jinping has outlined plans to expand his Belt and Road Initiative into broader economic and social co-operation between signatory countries, stepping up the concept of a Beijing-led global order in contrast with President Trump’s America First stance.

—