A former construction union official accused of soliciting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes could front the royal commission as early as today.
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The Canberra hearings by the royal commission into trade unions has so far heard allegations of standover and bribery during the first two days of evidence.
Witnesses have pointed the finger at Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union organiser Halafihi "Fihi" Kivalu, who they claim asked for and received thousands of dollars in cash from them on a number of occasions.
- Independent grocery and liquor shops will ask the Australian competition watchdog to block Coles proposed acquisition of Canberra's independent supermarket chain Supabarn.
- The Immigration Department's bosses splashed out half a million dollars for new offices for themselves as one of their first acts in charge.
- An Australian woman arrested and jailed in Abu Dhabi after posting an image to Facebook has been deported from the country and says she is heartbroken at the treatment of other women by the Gulf state's justice system.
- Almost 450 killers, rapists, violent offenders and other serious criminals are being held in Australian detention centres, triggering concern that vulnerable asylum seekers are being forced to mix with felons and thugs.
- When it comes to achieving good health and happiness in Australia, it just might pay off (all things considered) to be a wholesome type of person.
- Farrer residents fear a proposed five- and six-storey redevelopment of Goodwin Village aged care facilities will overshadow their homes.
- A $4.3 billion claim against the Commonwealth will proceed after a Canberra judge ruled a group of Albury-based businesspeople should not pay a security before the case can proceed.
- Malaysia is blocking the Australian government's requests for information over a corruption scandal which may involve the country's Prime Minister, Najib Razak.
Raiders hooker Kurt Baptiste almost quit the NRL two years ago, but he has been thrust into the halfback hot-seat to keep Canberra's finals dream alive.
The Raiders pulled a selection shock, naming Baptiste in the No.7 jersey for Saturday's crucial match with the Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium.
It means playmakers Mitch Cornish and Josh McCrone are well and truly on the outer after hooker Baptiste was given the nod ahead of them to partner Blake Austin in the halves.
- Shane Watson has been dropped for the second Ashes Test and replaced by Mitchell Marsh, while veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has withdrawn for personal reasons.
- The 'Special Ks', Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, are united in their belief they can spearhead an era of Davis Cup dominance for Australia.
- Canberra United chief executive Heather Reid says the club wants to live stream its home games after the new television broadcast deal ensures McKellar Park will be shut out.
- Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith will run out for his 300th NRL game when the Storm take on the Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park on Friday night. Just 23 NRL players have passed that mark before him.
- Parramatta is continuing to pay Jarryd Hayne at least $50,000 this year despite the fact he left the club to pursue his NFL dream.
- Australian Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis admits he made a tough call in omitting NBA star Patty Mills from the Rio Olympics qualifying squad.
9.46: There's a two-car crash southbound on Adelaide Avenue at Deakin, near The Lodge. All lanes remain open to traffic.
Road closures: Point Hut Crossing and Angle Crossing are closed to all traffic due to flooding.
Bendora Dam Road and Mount Franklin Road at Bulls Head remain closed to all traffic due to snow.
Motorists have been urged to be careful on the roads and to adjust their driving to the weather and road conditions.
Fairbairn Avenue will be closed westbound between Majura Road and Addison Road and eastbound between Northcott Drive and Morshead Drive from 9am to 4pm.
If you are stuck in traffic or have any info on the Wednesday morning commute, let us know whenever it is safe to do so: morningblog@canberratimes.com.au or tweet us @canberratimes
The National Film and Sound Archive is celebrating 100 years of Australian animation with a selection of some of the best Australian animated features of the last 25 years. Today's screening is Happy Feet Two.
For art-lovers, a potted history of Canberra region ceramics is still on at the Canberra Museum and Gallery. The exhibition celebrates the diverse facets of ceramics created in the Canberra region.
Get your skates on and head to Skate in the City's open air ice skating rink in Garema Place. The month-long event features cultural events, DJ dance parties, professional ice skating performances and dress up nights. It's on until the end of July.
Artist Luke Chiswell has exhibited in solo and group shows in Canberra many times. But his next show will be much further afield – in Chasm Gallery in Brooklyn, New York, from Friday.
"I have been working on this show Touch Line on and off for the last three years and was waiting for the right space to show the work," Chiswell said.
"The works themselves are large images printed on silk. They are images of intimate parts of the body that I have drawn on, then photographed."
At age 81, dancer Elizabeth Cameron Dalman is showing no signs of slowing down.
She plays a major role in her latest dance theatre work, L, which showcases her 50 years in the industry.
"It's quite an honour to put it up there," she said.
Today: Cloudy with a 90% chance of rain, most likely from the late morning. Light winds. Min -1, max 9.
Thursday: Cloudy. High chance of showers. Min 1, max 10
Friday: Partly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Min 0, max 12.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. Min -3, Max 12.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a 20% chance of a shower. Min -3, Max 12.
Monday: Mostly sunny. Min -4, max 13.
Tuesday: Possible shower. Min -3, max 14.
