Prime Minister Tony Abbott has talked up Australia's international role during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly. The address comes as the Senate passes, passed new security laws that give greater powers to ASIO(Australian Security Intelligence Organisation). Mr. Abbott told the UN that despite the world problems nations can't work together to serve the common humanity.  

 

One of our prime ministers once talked about a great objective, our light on the hill, as he put it, to work for the betterment of mankind.

 

Police hold grave fears this morning for three people who were missing after a house fire near Ballarat in central Victoria. Neighbours reported hearing an explosion before the house burst into flames early this morning. Police say it's not clear whether the two women aged 43 and 21 and a 21-year-old man were inside the house when it caught fire.

 

And the Immigration Minister Scott Morrison heads to Cambodia today to sign a deal to resettle asylum seekers being held in Nauru. The trip follows the Federal Government's deal with Clive Palmer to bring back temporary protection visas.