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.

Scott Morrison will be doing a radio interview with Miranda Devine in the office today.

Budget update slices into debt

Scott Morrison’s budget update today will show the federal ­government reining in debt for the first time since the global ­financial crisis, with $23 billion forecast to be shaved off over the next four years. In the wake of a critical victory in the Bennelong by-election at the weekend that ensures the ­stability of the Turnbull government, the strong budget statement will shore up the Coalition’s economic credentials ahead of the summer break while leaving scope for tax cuts to be offered ­before the next election.

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Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull reacts as newly elected Liberal member for Bennelong, John Alexander speaks to the media during a press conference at Parry Park in Putney, Sydney, Sunday, December 17, 2017. Mr Alexander claimed victory in the December 16 Bennelong By-Election over Labor candidate Kristina Keneally. (AAP Image/Paul Braven) NO ARCHIVING

Coalition treads water

Cost of living is set to become the critical political contest in 2018, with Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten locked in a neck-and-neck electoral battle over who is best able to deliver relief for middle-class families. Having secured a critical victory in the Bennelong by-election, Mr Turnbull heads to the summer break with the Labor leader forced into partial retreat and the government’s parliamentary majority intact. However, the final Newspoll of the year, conducted exclusively for The Australian, confirms that Mr Turnbull faces an uphill battle at a national level with the Coalition trailing Labor on an unchanged two-party-preferred vote of 53-47.

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Lord Mayor Robert Doyle unveils his election team for October council poll. Doyle's team, Sue Stanley, Kevin Louey, Beverley Pinder-Mortimer, Hope Wei, Susan Riley, Arron Wood, Mayor Robert Doyle, Tessa Sullivan and Nicholas Reece in Swanston Street. Picture: David Caird

Mayor on leave after harassment claims

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has taken leave after a ­female councillor levelled alle­gations of sexual harassment and indecent assault against him, prompting an official investi­gation into alleged misconduct. City councillors said yesterday they were “deeply disturbed” by the allegations against Melbourne’s longest serving mayor, after “Team Doyle” councillor Tessa Sullivan tendered her resignation late on Friday, having lodged an official complaint with the City of Melbourne. The Australian understands the council has a complaint that alleges a number of incidents against more than one alleged victim, and that council has received more than one statement.

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Parliament House in Sydney today, Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan fronting a Senate inquiry into corporate tax avoidance along with Mark Konza, ATO Deputy Commissioner, and Jeremy Hirschhorn, ATO Deputy Commissioner (pictured). Picture: Tim Hunter.

ATO’s $75bn crackdown

The Australian Taxation Office has sealed deals with 12 of its biggest multinational targets on related party debt, in a coup that will settle cases related to $75 billion of borrowing. Importantly for budget revenue flows, the settlements would lock in a flow of tax money in the future from the companies in question, as well as dealing with historical disputes, Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Hirschhorn told The Australian.

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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates getting the wicket of James Vince of England during day four of the Third Test match during the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at WACA on December 17, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Starc’s WACA cracker

If the WACA is to go out after this Ashes Test it has done so with a trademark memorable moment. That the moment belonged to Australia’s current quickest and deadliest pace bowler in Mitchell Starc was fitting. Starc may have skittled James Vince’s off stump with a ball that moved so far it was akin to a ripping Shane Warne leg-break of yesteryear, albeit about 50km/h quicker, but the assist had to go to a big crack in the WACA wicket.

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Kudelka’s view

Jon Kudelka Letters page cartoon for 18-12-2017Version: (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.