ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: Declared donations and payments to Australian political parties are about to top $1 billion, a new database of donations from 1998 to 2015 has found A global report on educational performance shows Australian 15-year-olds are getting worse at maths, science and reading. It follows another international education report released last week which also found Australia was sliding down the international leaderboard "Cancel order" is the message from US President-elect Donald Trump over the Government's multibillion-dollar order for new Air Force One presidential planes "When I was younger, my dad used to beat me up" are brave words for anyone to admit. But for 12-year-old Kobe Bennett, sharing his story is about helping others. Kobe has been recognised at this year's Tasmanian Human Rights Awards. Here's what's coming up: 7:40am AEDT: Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek will be on Radio National 12:00pm AEDT: The ATO's Commission of Taxation Chris Jordan will discuss future priorities for the ATO at a CEDA event in Melbourne 12:30pm AEDT: Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne will talk about Australia's next generation of submarines at a CEDA lunch in Adelaide 3:00pm AEDT: Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs and Deputy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Robynne Quiggan will launch the Social Justice and Native Title Report 6:00pm AEDT: The inaugural Australian Mental Health Prize will be awarded in Sydney Top Stories Political donations top $1b thanks to big business donors Declared donations and payments to Australian political parties are about to top $1 billion, a new analysis of data shows, revealing the property industry has been the most generous since returns have been published. It's about me: Terminally ill woman fights for right to choose As the Victorian Government considers recommendations to legalise assisted dying, one woman fights for her right to have a choice. Victoria set to hold conscience vote on assisted dying The Victorian Government accepts a cross-party committee's recommendation to legalise assisted dying and looks set to hold a conscience vote on the issue next year. Energy Minister backtracks on emissions intensity scheme comments A possible new price on carbon is taken off the table by Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg, after a backlash from some government backbenchers. 'No-one knew it was so toxic': Remote town in shock over moonshine deaths The NSW community of Collarenebri has been devastated by the deaths of three Indigenous members who died after drinking toxic moonshine — a substance secretly supplied by a local shop owner. Family members speak of their heartache for the first time. 'Cancel It!': Trump says new Air Force One cost 'ridiculous' US President-elect Donald Trump says the US Government should cancel its multibillion-dollar order for new Air Force One presidential planes. What is the High Court case involving senator Rod Culleton about? The High Court is hearing the challenge to the election of One Nation senator Rod Culleton in Canberra today — but what is it all about? Backpacker tax 'a waste of Parliament's time', Peter Costello says Former treasurer Peter Costello criticises federal politicians for wasting so much time debating the backpacker tax and says "One Nation has now mainstreamed itself". China urges US to block transit visit by Taiwan President China calls on the United States not to let Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen transit there when she visits Guatemala next month, days after President-elect Donald Trump irked Beijing by speaking to Ms Tsai in a break with decades of precedent. 'I didn't like who I was': Bank staff paid bonuses to hard-sell products Workers at some of Australia's biggest banks accuse the industry of having an aggressive sales culture which rewards bad behaviour and can have devastating consequences for consumers. Australian teenagers getting worse at major subjects: report A global report on educational performance shows Australian 15-year-olds are getting worse at maths, science and reading. Aussies clinch Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2-0 with 116-run win over NZ Australia clinches the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy with a game to go, after a comprehensive 116-run win over New Zealand at Manuka Oval. Indonesia's confusing justice system spells bad news for Ahok Western rules of evidence don't apply in Indonesia's opaque and confusing justice system, which doesn't bode will for Jakarta's Governor Ahok, writes ABC Indonesia correspondent Adam Harvey. 'A fraught experience': NBN creating digital divide in some areas NBN customer David Sneddon sometimes has to go to extreme lengths — like putting his internet dongle up a tree — to get an internet connection at his home, located in one of the nation's first rollout areas. Severe flooding in southern Thailand kills 14 Severe flooding due to heavy rain in southern Thailand kills 14 people, including five students, the Interior Ministry says. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Brexit fight far from over By London bureau chief Lisa Millar How 'Donald Trump: the presidency' got its start on The West Wing By Bruce Wolpe Going out in style: John Key leaves on his own terms By chief foreign correspondent Philip Williams Verrender: 2017 looms as difficult year for the Lucky Country By business editor Ian Verrender Just In Teen tradies from Adelaide's north optimistic about job prospects December 7, 2016 - 6:42 am 'Dad used to beat me up': 12yo wins award for helping domestic violence victims December 7, 2016 - 6:29 am 'Cancel It!': Trump says new Air Force One cost 'ridiculous' December 7, 2016 - 6:24 am World • Matt Damon defends 'whitewashing' casting in The Great Wall • Saudi court sentences 15 to death for spying for Iran • Japanese Parliament passes bill to lift ban on casinos Business • RBA leaves interest rates on hold • 'I didn't like who I was': Bank staff paid bonuses to hard-sell products • Has the era of record low interest rates come to an end? Politics • 'Cancel It!': Trump says new Air Force One cost 'ridiculous' • What is the High Court case involving senator Rod Culleton about? • Energy Minister backtracks on emissions intensity scheme comments Sport • Aussies clinch Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2-0 with 116-run win over NZ • Ready to play: Roughead given the cancer all-clear by doctors • Roar defend North after diving incident Science and Tech • Why space junk is coming back to bite us • Immunotherapy before surgery could boost cancer survival rate • Could an aspirin a day hold the key to long life? Environment • Energy Minister backtracks on emissions intensity scheme comments • Queensland-first workforce promised for Carmichael mine • Abolishing Green Army would 'hardly be a smart move', Abbott says Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. This message was sent to you at starnewsposting@gmail.com. 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