In other news, a series of wild storms have caused havoc in parts of Sydney, Victoria and South Australia's river-land region. Victoria was the worst hit. The State Emergency Service received more than 1,000 calls for help. There were reports of homes being damaged, fallen trees and widespread flash flooding. 

 

The Senate is expected to pass the Federal Government's plain packaging laws for cigarettes today. The new laws will require cigarettes to be sold in dark green packets without company logos. And they'll come into effect from December next year. 

 

There were wild scenes outside a chicken processing plant in Melbourne late yesterday. A security guard who tried to cross a picket line had his car keys taken away by union members. When they were returned, he then tried to drive through the crowd. One person was treated for an arm injury. 

 

And Russia says it won't support new sanctions against Iran after a UN report found Tehran may be trying to develop nuclear weapons. Britain and France have joined the US in calling for tougher sanctions. The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency found there was credible evidence that Iran had carried out the tests relevant to the development of an atomic bomb. Iran is denying the claims.