Your afternoon Briefing

Good afternoon, readers. Here’s how Tuesday has played out so far, with the federal budget due to be unveiled tonight.

Good afternoon, readers. Here’s how Tuesday has played out so far, with the federal budget due to be unveiled tonight.

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07/05/2018 CFMEU official John Setka and wife Emma Walters leaving Melbourne Magistrates Court. Picture David Geraghty / The Australian.

CFMMEU’s warning not a ‘threat’

Advice from a powerful CFMMEU official warning a Boral executive that his concrete trucks might have “some trouble” accessing worksites was intended to be a help and not a threat, a court has heard.

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining, and Energy Union Victoria officials John Setka and Shaun Reardon have appeared at the Melbourne’s Magistrate Court for a committal hearing, on charges they blackmailed two Boral executives.

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Portia Yeung, at her restaurnat Portia's Place in Kingston, Canberra. After 25 years as a restaurateur, moral guide and emotional succour to our modern political leadership Portia will walk away from her business on 30/06/2011.

Where careers launch ... or end

Two of tonight’s most exclusive post-Budget events will be held at restaurants most Australians have probably never heard of, writes Media Diary ’s Stephen Brook.

The two most exclusive events are the invite-only gatherings for hardworking staff of the two journalistic clans, News and Fairfax, who gather at their preferred restaurants — the Ottoman, for a Turkish-inspired budget dinner, or Portia’s Place.

Make no mistake, these events can be career enhancing/ending, given the heady mix some hacks experience in proximity to editors and copious amounts of alcohol.

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... and don’t forget to stay up-to-date on all things #Budget2018 on our PoliticsNow live blog.

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Twam20180127 EMBARGO FOR TWAM 27 JAN 2018 NO REUSE WITHOUT PERMISSION. FEE APPLIES Denis Ryan photographed at home in Mildura on 8th January, 2018.PIC: JESSICA SHAPIRO

Denis Ryan has a win at last

The cop who tried to prosecute one of the most prolific paedophile priests in our history 46 years ago and came off second best has finally won.

86-year-old Denis Ryan received a compensation payment from the Andrews government yesterday. The undisclosed amount is one Ryan is satisfied with.

Read more on Ryan’s incredible story here, as detailed by Jack the Insider.

China's President Xi Jinping (L) and US President Donald Trump attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 9, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / NICOLAS ASFOURI

‘US top dog but China closing in fast’

Australia has come in at sixth place in a new index of power among Asia-Pacific nations in which the United States just managed to stay in first place ahead of China.

The study and online tool by the Lowy Institute will be launched today at Kevin Rudd’s Asia Society in New York.

“The United States is still the top dog but China is closing fast,” Dr Michael Fullilove, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute, said.