Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has seen off a push by the party’s left for a binding vote on same sex marriage. A deal struck the party’s national conference will give Labor MPs conscious vote for the next two terms of government.

Air safety officers are investigating a light plane crash near Proserpine in North Queensland. Six people had to swing to safety after the single engine plane ditched into a dam yesterday afternoon. One person suffered minor injuries. Britain’s House of Lords has been rocked by a major scandal. The Deputy Speaker Lord Sewel has resigned over a video allegedly showing him taking drugs of prostitutes. He’s also quit his chairman of privileges and conduct committee. In the video, Lord Sewel has asked about parliamentary allowances. --“200 a day...200 a day to buy lunch.”

--“It’s not lunch, lovie darling. It’s paying for this.”

Back home, Perth zoo is reviewing the security of its / tank exhibit after one of its residents briefly escaped yesterday. Five-year-old Tallassee is thought to use a shade sale to jump from the enclosure and take a stroll around the grounds.