Your noon Briefing

Welcome to your noon digest of what’s been making news and what to watch for.

Hello readers. Here is your noon round-up of today’s top stories and a long read for lunchtime.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 19: Rebel Wilson walks out of the Court of Appeal on April 19, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. Rebel Wilson successfully sued Women's Day magazine publisher Bauer Media in September 2017 over a series of articles she alleged portrayed her as a serial liar and cost her movie roles in Hollywood. Wilson was awarded a record $4.5 million pay out plus legal costs totalling $650,000. Bauer Media challenging the payout amount, arguing that $4.5 million is excessive and ignored Victoria's general defamation damages cap of $389,500. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Wilson payout slashed

Rebel Wilson’s record $4.5m defamation payment has been slashed to $600,000 after Bauer Media had a major victory in its appeal against the amount of the damages award. The company had appealed against a Supreme Court of Victoria order that the Pitch Perfect star be compensated a record $650,000 in general damages and $3,917,472 in special damages.

“While this case was never about the money for me, I do hope to receive as much as posible to give away to charities and to support the Australian film industry.”

Rebel Wilson

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Radio shock jock Alan Jones during the launch of Kevin Donnelly's book 'How Political Correctness Is Destroying Australia" in Sydney, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (AAP Image/David Moir) NO ARCHIVING

Jones drops defence

Broadcaster Alan Jones has dropped a key defence in the final days of his defamation battle with Toowoomba’s Wagner brothers. Rob Anderson QC, for Jones, told the Supreme Court in Brisbane this morning that the defence of honest opinion would no longer be used. Truth will continue to be used in relation to several matters. Mr Anderson also said this morning’s judgment regarding Rebel Wilson and Bauer Media should be a factor if the court rules in the Wagners’ favour.

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Malcolm Turnbull has written a chapter in a book on Menzies.

PM praises Menzies

Malcolm Turnbull has reaffirmed his belief that Sir Robert Menzies saw the Liberal Party as centrist and progressive, and the custodian of both liberalism and conservatism, and that his government has been faithful to this tradition.

“He steered resolutely to the centre ground and put his faith in the goodwill, the common sense and the enterprise of his fellow Australians.”

Malcolm Turnbull on Robert Menzies

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CHARLEVOIX, CANADA - JUNE 9: In this photo provided by the German Government Press Office (BPA), German Chancellor Angela Merkel deliberates with US president Donald Trump on the sidelines of the official agenda on the second day of the G7 summit on June 9, 2018 in Charlevoix, Canada. Also pictured are (L-R) Larry Kudlow, director of the US National Economic Council, Theresa May, UK prime minister, Emmanuel Macron, French president, Angela Merkel, Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japanese deputy chief cabinet secretary, Shinzo Abe, Japan prime minister, Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Japanese senior deputy minister for foreign affairs, John Bolton, US national security adviser, and Donald Trump. Canada are hosting the leaders of the UK, Italy, the US, France, Germany and Japan for the two day summit. (Photo by Jesco Denzel /Bundesregierung via Getty Images)

The long read: A masterpiece to rival Caravaggio

It has become an instant classic, a picture of political drama that captures the power struggle of an age in a single image, according to The Economist.

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Eddie Mcguire was onboard Qantas nose-dive flight.

Comment of the day

“One hysterical passenger does not an air disaster make. We are all spoiled by the professionalism of aircrew everywhere who navigate the world’s skies ensuring that in 99.999pc of cases not one drop of champers is spilt.”

Mark, in response to ‘Wake turbulence suspected in Qantas jet’s sudden dive’.