Your morning Briefing

Welcome to your morning roundup of what’s making news and the must-reads for today.

Good morning readers. Here is your two-minute digest of what’s making news today.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe sits for formal photographs with university officials, after presiding over a student graduation ceremony at Zimbabwe Open University on the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. Mugabe made his first public appearance since the military put him under house arrest earlier this week. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Mugabe refuses to resign as Zimbabwe president

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has refused to resign, using a television address to pledge to preside over a ZANU-PF congress next month despite being sacked as party leader. On Sunday ZANU-PF gave the 93-year-old less than 24 hours to quit as head of state or face impeachment, an attempt to secure a peaceful end to his tenure after a de facto coup. In a long and at times rambling address on state television, Mr Mugabe said he acknowledged criticism against him from ZANU-PF, the military and the public, but did not comment on the possibility of standing down.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH - 17/11/17Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison pictured in his Sydney office today. Pic, Sam Ruttyn

CEOs must back me on tax cuts: ScoMo

Scott Morrison has issued an ­extraordinary rallying call to corporate leaders to get behind the government’s tax cuts, writing to hundreds of chief executives across the country to warn them they risk a Labor government that could wreck the economy and ruin their businesses. The Treasurer told the business community that it could no longer “sit on the fence” when it came to supporting Coalition policy to reduce taxes.

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Undated Facebook picture of disgraced Auburn Councillor Salim Mehajer and his wife Aysha Mehajer (nee Learmonth). On Monday (11/07/2016) Aysha lodged an application for an apprehended violence order (AVO) against Salim.

Mehajer arrested for AVO breach, dangerous driving

Controversial former local mayor Salim Mehajer has been arrested and is in police custody following a car crash in Sydney last night. Mehajer, 31, has been arrested for allegedly breaching an apprehended violence order taken out by his estranged wife Aysha, and dangerous driving. He is in custody at Campsie Police Station following the accident in Kingsgrove. It is expected he will be refused bail until he appears in Burwood Local Court later today. Last week, Mr Mehajer told a court that the pair were still happily married despite their much-publicised split.

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Senator Jacqui Lambie with Senator Nick Xenophon and the Nick Xenophon Team at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Aide warned Lambie repeatedly over ‘drink problem’

Former crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie was warned consistently about her “excessive alcohol consumption” while she was at work, travelling for work and while meeting with stakeholders, according to allegations filed by her former chief of staff. In an amended statement of claim filed to the Federal Court, Rob Messenger claims he warned Ms Lambie about her problematic workplace drinking on a ­“regular basis” between 2014 and 2016, as well as complaining about her drinking at 11 public events. Mr Messenger alleged he told Ms Lambie her alcohol-affected behaviour would be considered a breach of “work health and safety and bullying”. Ms Lambie denies the claims.

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Senator Barry O'Sullivan with a Portrait of Captain James Cook by John Webber apart of the National Portrait Gallery Collection at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Banks turn to legal eagles ahead of inquiry ‘tsunami’

The big four banks now see the prospect of a royal commission or similar inquiry as almost inevitable and have enlisted the nation’s top commercial law firms and senior counsel in readiness.

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Australian Test bowler Mitchell Starc bowls with the Australian cricket team as they train in the nets at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane, Wednesday, November 15, 2017. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

Our greatest pace attack ever

After picking a rookie opener, a ­recycled No 6 and a reconditioned keeper, Steve Smith’s Australians need their pace attack like never before. Shane Warne aside, pace has always been Australia’s trump and, after an unsettled build-up to the most important Ashes series in a generation, the nation’s hopes rest with its trident of quicks. Thankfully in Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins the hosts have what might prove to be their greatest pace ­attack of all time.

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Kudelka’s view

Jon Kudelka Letters page cartoon for 20-11-2017Version: (650x366)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.