Your morning Briefing:

Your 2-minute digest of today’s top stories and must-reads.

Hello readers. New ASIO chief faces a hi-tech test, and why Alan Jones is taking odds on offer for the Wallabies.

NEWS Mike Burgess is the new Director General of ASIO. Photographed in Brisbane on 8 August 2019. Photo by Sarah Keayes

Hi-tech test for new ASIO boss

As new head of ASIO, Mike Burgess will tackle cyber threats and foreign interference by state ­actors, including China and ­Russia. The Burgess appointment may have put a few Canberra noses out of joint, but many think it’s inspired, according to Simon Benson.

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The parenmts of haewratborken of the canada murder vcicitms.

‘They’ll always have that hug’

The hunt for two killers might be over but the discovery of their bodies will bring no relief for the parents of victims Lucas Fowler and Chynna Deese.

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Cardinal George Pell leaves the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne, Thursday, June 6, 2019. Pell is appealing his conviction for sexually abusing two boys in the 1990s. (AAP Image/Erik Anderson) NO ARCHIVING

Pell appeal judges close to verdict

Failure to arraign George Pell in front of a jury may lead to a retrial, while his team prefer acquittal.

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Laws pass but not without cost

Two-thirds of Berejik­lian’s Liberal colleagues voted against legislation decriminalising abortion.

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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Kurtley Beale of the Wallabies looks on during a Wallabies training session at the WACA on August 05, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

‘Why I’ll be backing Wallabies’

It is Bledisloe Cup time when the Australian Rugby family hope, pray and cheer that we may write a new and rewarding chapter against our formidable trans-Tasman rivals, writes Alan Jones.

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Kudelka’s view

Jon Kudelka Letters Cartoon for 09-08-2019. Version: Letters Cartoon (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)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.