Greens MP Adam Bandt has forced Parliament to begin debating the issue of same sex marriage. He’s introduced a motion, calling on MPs to talk to their constituents about their views on gay marriage. Both major parties oppose same sex marriage and their leaders are refusing to allow a conscience vote. 

 

Government ministers have been briefed on a business plan for the National Broadband Network. The NBN Company recently handed the plan to the Government，but departmental advice to be released today shows the company no longer supports some of its recommendations on design and pricing. Legislation to restructure Telstra ahead of the NBN rollout will move to the Senate today, after passing the lower house last night. 

 

Detainees at Sydney’s Villawood Detention Centre are planning a hunger strike after a fellow inmate killed himself. A 41-year-old Iraqi man was found unconscious in his room early this morning. He was released to hospital where he was pronounced dead. It’s the second suicide at the centre in these many months.

 

South Australian police have been DNA testing young men in Kapunda (to) in an effort to solve a triple murder. A couple and their 16-year-old daughter were found stabbed to death in their home a week ago. A DNA sample of an unknown man has been found in the house. 

 

And fire has engulfed a high-rise apartment in Shanghai, killing at least 42 people. Several people were trapped when fire erupted in the upper part of the building.