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The top stories this hour.

Us presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have clashed in a bitter television debate. The attacks turned personal as the Republican accused his Democratic rival of not having the right temperament to be president. Mrs Clinton baited Mr Trump about his refusal to release his tax returns. The debate was watched by around 100 million viewers.

The federal government has watered down its plan to increase the tax rate on backpacker workers. This follows pressure from the tourism and agricultural industry. Most farmers and lobby groups have welcomed the drop in the rate of tax from 32.5 percent to 19 percent.

Green groups have lost their latest legal battle to stop Gina Rinehart's massive Alpha coal mine, planned for central Queensland. The state's highest court has dismissed an appeal by conservation group Coast and Country. But the group isn't conceding defeat and has flagged a high court challenge.

And the Forbes region, in New South Wales, has been declared a disaster zone after the worst flooding in decades. Hundreds of residents fled after evacuation orders were issued, and have now been granted access recovery funding. Flood waters are receding but concerns remain with more rainfall predicted.