Your afternoon Briefing

Turnbull says public money was not misused during the Joyce affair, Labor calls for Susan Lamb’s referral and Congress shuts down.

Good afternoon, readers. Malcom Turnbull says public money was not spent inappropriately during Barnaby Joyce’s affair with Vikki Campion, Labor challenges the government to refer Susan Lamb to the High Court and the US government is on the brink of a shutdown.

Legal warning ***Hunter grants to Nationwide News Pty Limited a non-exclusive, worldwide licence, for $5000 +GST for 30 days (the Licence Period) starting 7 February 2018. ******* FEE APPLIES - NO BYLINE ***Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce with his girlfriend and former staffer, Vikki Campion ## NOTE: The license for use of this image ENDS on Friday, 9 March 2018 ##

PM clears Barnaby on spending

Malcolm Turnbull says he is not aware of any public money being spent inappropriately to manage Barnaby Joyce’s relationship with former staff member Vikki Campion.

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Susan Lamb in Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber, at Parliament House in Canberra.

‘Piss or get off the pot’

Labor has challenged the government to refer Susan Lamb to the High Court over dual citizenship concerns or shut up.

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Rose McGowan manager suicide death

Suicide sparks #MeToo backlash

The family of Rose McGowan’s manager has hit out after her suicide amid backlash over her alleged role in the Weinstein affair.

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 08: Hallways are quiet inside the U.S. Capitol as debate in the Senate stretches on February 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. Lawmakers remain at the Capitol late into the night as a possible partial federal government shutdown looms. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Republican forces US shutdown

The US government has stumbled into a midnight shutdown as a rogue Senate Republican blocked a speedy vote on a massive spending deal.

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London Olympics 2012. POOL Pictures. Australian Jarrod Bannister takes part in the Men's Javelin qualifying round. PIC: Dave Hunt/AAP Image

Aussie Olympian found dead

Australia’s sporting community has been rocked by the death of a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Beijing Olympian.