Your afternoon Briefing

Susan Lamb delivers an emotional plea, Natalie Joyce speaks and the pregnant woman killed by a snake bite has been identified.

Good afternoon, readers. Labor MP Susan Lamb has delivered an emotional plea in parliament, Natalie Joyce has spoken and the pregnant woman who was killed by a suspected snake bite yesterday has been identified by police.

Susan Lamb making a statement to the House of Representatives Chamber, at Parliament House in Canberra.

Lamb’s plea to avoid High Court

Labor MP Susan Lamb has revealed details of her estranged relationship with her mother in a bid to avoid being referred to the High Court. Ms Lamb’s mother Hazel, who spoke to The Australian last month, said she would have “definitely helped” her daughter.

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Barnaby Joyce and his wife Natalie arriving at the Federal Parliament Midwinter Ball 2017, at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Ray Strange

Natalie Joyce speaks

Barnaby Joyce’s estranged wife Natalie has delivered a scorching rebuke to the Deputy PM after learning he’s expecting a child with a young former staffer.

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Selim Mehajer arrives at the central local court today .pic John Grainger

Mehajer loses bail bid

Property developer Salim Mehajer has lost a bid to apply for bail a second time on fraud and conspiracy charges, after he argued he had been subjected to “extra-curial punishment” and may be targeted by the “prison hierarchy”, a court has heard.

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1/12/2017 Premier investments CEO Mark McInnes and Chairman Solomon Lew arrive for the AGM.Picture David Geraghty / The Australian.

Lew takes fight to Myer

Solomon Lew’s latest jab at Myer has come at a moment of acute vulnerability for the department store, writes Stephen Bartholomeusz.

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Snake bite victim Sinita "Nita" Martin. Picture: Facebook / Nita Martin

Snake bite victim identified

Police have identified a heavily-pregnant woman who died after a suspected snake bite in the West Australian town of Meekatharra.