Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer released a UN paper which he said made no judgement against Australia. But there's another UN document, overnight it was leaked to the Fairfax newspapers, and it says the mandatory sentencing of juveniles in Australia violates the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commissioner, Chris Sidoti, has joined us now at The World Today. He's speaking to our political reporter, Alexandra Kirk. But the United Nations editing of the mandatory sentencing report is nothing out of the ordinary, according to the recently retired Secretary of the Commission on Human Rights.
Time is of the essence in Queensland where police continue the hunt for an extortionist.
Two people are recovering in hospital after taking Herron-brand paracetamol, believed to have been laced with the rat poison containing strychnine. The ATO admits it has only processed one quarter of the ABN's it needs to, but is still confident of meeting the deadline. On the eve of Taiwan's presidential elections, China's political leaders are turning up their rhetoric over reunification. Any rejection of the notion towards independance they say, will be tantamount to a declaration of war. This years' winner of the Archibald competition is Adam Cullen for his depiction of actor David Wenham.