The British government faces a second Tory backbench revolt over plans to change the rules to delay a general election if the Liberal-Conservative coalition collapses.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is believed to have settled on a poll date.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard appears unlikely to call an election this weekend after she was forced to sidestep a bombshell claim she pulled out of a deal with Kevin Rudd the night before she seized the leadership.

Hundreds of police cars carry gun safes, and central Auckland officers draw weapons from their vehicles nearly twice a week.

Discounts on ACC levies for businesses with good safety records will encourage some employers to cover up workplace accidents, opponents say.

John Banks has racked up an $11,523 bill for flowers in his current term - including a $60 bunch to the Mayor from office staff when he was ill.

The interim Government in Fiji has expelled Australia's Acting High Commissioner today.

A new prison to be built in South Auckland will bring $1.2bn in economic benefits over 30 years, Judith Collins says.

An Australian election could take place as early as August 28, with PM Julia Gillard's Cabinet meeting today to lock in the details.

The Government has added $54 million to its total provisioning for potential payouts under the Crown retail deposit guarantee scheme.

Tax revenue was bigger than forecast and spending lower in the 11 months to the end of May, says Treasury.