Your noon Briefing: Labor knocks back prime-time TV debates

Your 2-minute digest of the day’s big stories.

Hello readers. Scott Morrison says Bill Shorten is ducking prime time debates, and Stephanie Gillmore falls on Big Friday at Bells Beach.

NEWS2019ELECTION 26/4/2019. DAY16/Job1The Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Townsville for a breakfast with apprentices. The local candidate Phillip Thompson was with the Prime Minister to announce the CoalitionÕs Policy to expand the Australian Apprenticeship Wage Trial by providing an additional $60 million in new funding to double the size of the trial. The event was in the electorate of Herbert. Cathy OÕToole (ALP) has held the seat of Herbert since 2016. Also at the event were Colin Richardson Ð Site Manager, Martin Locke Homes, Dave Corkery Ð Owner, Electrotek Patrick Walsh Ð Owner, PJ Walsh Constracting, Leigh-Ann Poole Ð Business Leader, TORGAS, Julie Ashdown Ð Field Officer, TORGAS, Makeesha Sherrington Ð TORGAS and Dennis Dibartolo Ð Deputy President, Picnic Bay Surf Club.Picture Gary Ramage

Labor knocks back TV debates

The PM says Bill Shorten is treating the election “like a coronation” by refusing to debate him on ABC and Nine Network’s main channel. Keep up with the latest from the campaign trail in our live blog, PoliticsNow.

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PM attacks ALP over security

The PM has confirmed ISIS support for Sri Lankan bombings, attacking Labor for not helping to pass laws to monitor return of foreign fighters.

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The 2019 Rip Curl Pro Surfing at Bells Beach Victoria. Stephanie Gilmore knocked out of the competition. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Bells tolls for Gilmore

Australia’s defending world and Bells champion Stephanie Gilmore has been knocked out of the Rip Curl Pro by Hawaii’s Malia Manuel as double-overhead size waves hit Bells Beach.

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FILE - In this March 16, 2016, file photo, American student Otto Warmbier, center, is escorted at the Supreme Court in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea reportedly insisted the U.S. pay $2 million in medical costs in 2017 before it released dWarmbier while he was in a coma. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin, File)

$3m for Otto

North Korea reportedly insisted the US agree to pay $US2 million ($2.9m) in medical costs in 2017 before it released detained American college student Otto Warmbier while he was in a coma, according to a report published today.

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VERSION THREE Marion Barter and her two children Sally and Owen.

The long read: Mystery of the missing mum

For 22 years now, Sally Leydon has had no proof her mother was alive. David Murray reports.