The PM was in Melbourne on Monday meeting AFL fans. In Canberra, his own party was warning same-sex marriage changes are 'not inevitable'. Photo: Eddie Jim
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Conservative government MPs say same-sex marriage is not inevitable and have warned Tony Abbott that he faces a savage internal backlash over the issue, likening it to the devastating split over the ETS which cost Malcolm Turnbull the Liberal leadership in 2009.
Several right wing Parliamentarians have told Fairfax Media they believe they have the numbers to oppose a free vote, a move that if successful would greatly decrease the chances of the bill passing the lower house.
"If you put this to a ballot in the party room, this does not get up," confided one MP.
- Thousands of public servants and ADF personnel risk electrocution when they show up for work at the Defence Department's Canberra offices each day, a union alleges.
- The Australian National University has joined public service departments in having to foot massive new Comcare bills due to a rise in premiums by the federal workplace insurer.
- Australian Passport Office branches around the nation, and the jobs of hundreds of public servants who work there, face an uncertain future as the government considers a sweeping revamp of its passport service.
- More than $500,000 in severance benefits were paid to 15 staffers who lost their jobs as a result of Tony Abbott's cabinet reshuffle in December.
- South African Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius is set to be released from prison on parole in August after serving 10 months for culpable homicide in the killing of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a family member said.
Ben Alexander says the Brumbies' focus will be on beating the Crusaders rather than a four-try bonus point. Photo: Graham Tidy
Wallabies prop Ben Alexander says the Brumbies can win the Super Rugby title regardless of where they finish in the top six, but their focus will be on beating the Canterbury Crusaders rather than a four-try bonus point.
Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones wants to continue the Super Rugby province's legacy of being a "Wallabies factory" and that's why former Queensland Reds front-rower Albert Anae has signed.
The Brumbies need a bonus-point to give themselves the best possible chance to finish top-two and have a week off before hosting a home semi-final.
- Lydia Williams, the Matildas' number one goal keeper, has been a last minute withdrawal from Australia's opening World Cup match against the USA.
- The Canberra Raiders are refusing to get carried away with their first half of the season, using the bye week to refocus ahead of the sprint to the finals.
- Canberra middle-distance runner Brett Robinson has run a qualifying time for the world championships in Beijing in August, as well as next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
- North Queensland back-rower Gavin Cooper crossed for an incredible hat-trick in six minutes as North Queensland engineered the third biggest comeback in NRL history to mow down an imploding Parramatta on Monday night.
9:01am: The Phillip Avenue and Majura Avenue intersection is clear after a two-car crash earlier this morning.
7:27am: Two cars have collided at the corner of Phillip Avenue and Majura Avenue, with one car blocking part of the intersection, police say.
Police have urged drivers heading out of Hackett and surrounding suburbs to avoid the intersection.
7:12am: Watch out if you're heading to work from Hackett - there's been a crash at the Phillip Avenue and Majura Avenue intersection.
Police have warned drivers to avoid the area.
Drive safely on your commute and let us know if you see any traffic problems on the roads via @canberratimes, but only when its safe to do so.
Find out how our brain processes types of pain at the Academy of Science's latest public talk, Pain in the brain: the overlap between physical, social and empathy for pain, at the Shine Dome, Acton from 5.30pm. Cost: $6.
The Australian War Memorial's latest exhibition, Voices from the Front, explores some of the individual stories from the First World War through the letters and diaries of those who served. It's on display until August 25. Free.
Alisa Griffin and daughter Briahna Grant-Griffin with the keyhole dolls she makes with her push-button sewing machine. Photo: Melissa Adams
Briahna Grant-Griffin dreams of one-day having her own place with a pink and purple front door.
The same passion for colour goes into her fabric choices for the rag dolls she makes and sells to bring her goal closer.
Like most 20-year-olds, Ms Grant-Griffin needs to earn money to make the dream a reality, but living with cerebral palsy makes working a full time job a challenge.
Thanks to a push-button sewing machine paid for through the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Ms Grant-Griffin is setting up her own business Lis & Bri Upcycling with help from her mum Alisa Griffin.
Click cartoon for more David Pope.
Lord Rubin Doubache aka Robert Young duels with Gabriel van Dorne aka Luke Swadling in the House of Representatives Courtyard as part of the Medieval Festival, celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta's creation. Photo: Jeffrey Chan
The sound of sword on sword echoed around the courtyard of Old Parliament House yesterday as part of the Medieval Festival.
Celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta's creation, the event saw more than 10,000 people attend the event, according to organisers, transforming King's Hall into a grand ballroom dominated by twirling dancers and enthusiastic visitors donned in brightly coloured costumes.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Min 2, Max 14.
Wednesday: Morning frost with cloud clearing. Light winds. Min -2, Max 13.
Thursday: Patchy fog and frost in the morning before a sunny afternoon. Light winds. Min -3, Max 15.
Friday: Patchy fog and frost in the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Light winds. Min -3, Max 15.
