Westpac's chief executive says he will personally lead the bank's response into accusations from the financial crime watchdog it persistently breached money-laundering and counter-terror laws.

Australian academic Tim Weeks is in good spirits after being released by the Taliban in a prisoner swap, according to Prime Minister Scot Morrison.

NSW is facing widespread severe bushfire danger as predicted hot winds blowing in from the south present yet more challenging conditions for firefighters.

A "perfect storm" of union decline and complex industrial relations rules is dudding workers out of an estimated $1.35 billion in underpaid wages annually.

The effects of climate change must be treated as a health priority alongside cancer and diabetes, Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen says.

Melbourne Storm have locked in contract extensions with four members of their NRL forward pack, including injured Queensland State of Origin representative Christian Welch.

Manly are one step closer to fielding three Trbojevic brothers in the same NRL team with 18-year-old Ben re-signing for the next two seasons.

Former Newcastle Knights star Jarrod Mullen will admit to supplying cocaine.Defence lawyer Scott Mackenzie told Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday that the 32-year-old, who did not appear in court, would plead guilty to one charge of supplying cocaine.

The amounts paid for services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme could go up after an annual pricing review.

Australia rugby league coach Mal Meninga says that dropping to second in the world rankings should serve as a reality check for the Kangaroos.