A gangland boss has been charged with masterminding his organised crime syndicate from inside a Victorian jail.

Treasurer Tim Pallas has dismissed concerns about the state’s credit rating ahead of next week’s state budget.

Australian security experts agree with Defence Minister Peter Dutton’s assessment the nation must “prepare for war” to protect peace, but have warned the nation’s current “one punch” and “boutique” military force is not yet equipped for the task.

And doctors fear “vaccine fatigue” may prevent many Australians rolling up their sleeve for a flu jab despite forecasts for increased danger from the virus this winter.

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