The Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon is denying that she's caved in to the states on key elements of the health reform deal. The Government will now leave it up to the states to decide how they meet a four-hour time limit for emergency department admissions. And the Government's also removed the requirement for the states to pay for private elective surgery if a patient waits too long.

 

Bali Nine member Myuran Sukumaran has lost his final appeal against his death sentence for heroin smuggling. This follows a similar rejection for fellow Bali Nine member Andrew Chan last month. Both will now face the firing squad unless Indonesia's president grants them clemency. 

 

The Federal Government's plan to send asylum seekers to Malaysia is facing a second High Court challenge. An Afghan asylum seeker being held on Christmas Island is challenging the Government's right to detain people without determining their refugee status. Lawyers for a woman and her child also being detained on Christmas Island launched a separate High Court challenge last month.