Your afternoon Briefing

Good afternoon, readers. We have China, the Royal Commission, Bennelong, the Ashes, and what our pollies deserve for Christmas.

Good afternoon, readers. We have China, the Royal Commission, Bennelong, the Ashes, and what our pollies deserve for Christmas.

HMAS Parramatta makes a hard turn in the waters of Yap, Micronesia. *** Local Caption *** An Australian Defence Force (ADF) Joint Task Group, Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017, is participating in a series of key Military Exercises throughout the Indo-Pacific Region. Running from September to November, Indo Pacific Endeavour will focus on enhancing military cooperation with some of Australia's key regional partners including Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Brunei, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Cambodia and the Federated States of Micronesia. The deployment, in planning for more than 12 months, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance and develop strong positive relations with regional militaries through both dialogue and practical activities. The Joint Task Group will demonstrate the ADF’s ability to operate across the full spectrum of military operations, from high-end military capabilities such as anti-submarine warfare to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. HMAS Adelaide will be accompanied at various stages of the deployment by HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Darwin, HMAS Toowoomba, HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Sirius, making it the biggest coordinated task group deployment in many decades. Indo-Pacific Endeavour will also involve personnel from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force and include Defence civilians, ADF helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Navy dressed down over China Sea

China’s top naval commander has hit out at Australia for undermining “peace and stability” in the South China Sea.

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Rev. Anthony Fisher speaks to the media at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Friday, December 15, 2017. Rev. Fisher made a statement following the release of the final report into the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING

Vatican urged to change confession rules

The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher, pictured, has ruled out considering any changes to the church practice of confession. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse today released a 17-volume report containing 409 recommendations, including changing canon law on confession.

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15/12/17:PM Malcolm Turnbull and John Alexander hold a press conference at Bennelong Park in Putney on the last day of campaigning in the Bennelong by-election. John Feder/The Australian.

Battle for Bennelong heats up

As the battle for Bennelong heats up, Peta Credlin says Liberal candidate John Alexander has breached parliamentary guidelines and exposed himself to potential contempt. Labor’s candidate Kristina Keneally has refused to admit she falsely claimed a Sam Dastyari quote was “pulped”. The by-election will take place tomorrow.

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Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull at the Wayside Chapel in Sydney today to hand out food. Malcolm with wife Lucy and Santa. Pic Jenny Evans

All our MPs want for Christmas

Have our politicians been naughty or nice? Jack the Insider suggests the gifts our politicians truly deserve.

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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 15: Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates the wicket of Jonny Bairstow of England during day two of the Third Test match during the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at WACA on December 15, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Six-wicket burst stuns England

Australia has hit back strongly against England and is now batting. Follow all the Ashes action from the WACA in our live blog.