Morning Mail: Labor pushes for Centrelink inquiry, Putin calls Trump sex claims 'obvious fake', Turnbull says 'safety first' when asked about burqa ban

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Wednesday 18 January 2017 g Australia should invest in coal to reduce emissions, minister says Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Sign up here for our Guardian Today email, sent every day at noon, and you can sign up to our new Guardian Australia sport email here. Among the stories on our website this morning, research touted by resources minister Matt Canavan, that reportedly suggests Australia can rely on coal to meet emissions reduction, has been attacked by experts and appears to have been misreported. Canavan released a statement attacking "people who oppose the coal industry for ideological reasons", saying: "Coal has an important role to play as Australia, and the rest of the world, reduce carbon dioxide emissions". Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Prime minister vows to put final Brexit deal before parliament Theresa May promises to give peers and MPs vote in speech setting out government's 12 priorities for negotiations with EU Labor pushes for Senate inquiry into Centrelink robo-debt 'debacle' Opposition says thousands of innocent people are being pursued for debts they don't owe and an inquiry is needed into the system Putin says those behind Trump dossier are 'worse than prostitutes' Russian president dismisses alleged links between US president-elect and Moscow and says sex claims are 'obvious fake' Xi Jinping signals China will champion free trade if Trump builds barriers Chinese premier defends globalisation at WEF in Davos, saying there will be no winners in a trade war Dozens killed in Nigeria as jet mistakenly bombs displaced families' camp MSF staff report at least 50 dead in airstrike on camp in Borno state where families displaced by Boko Haram were sheltering Australian news and politics Firefighters battle out-of-control blaze near Canberra and dozens of others Fire near Tarago destroys at least one rural property and burns out more than 2,400 hectares with additional blazes in South Australia and Victoria Malcolm Turnbull says Australia must put 'safety first' when asked about burqa ban Prime minister refuses to be drawn on cabinet reshuffle after report suggests Greg Hunt to become health minister Flesh-eating infection puts two people in hospital in Sydney Man, 57, and woman, 46, contracted necrotising fasciitis in Polynesia in unrelated cases, health authorities say Immigration spent unauthorised $2.2bn on offshore detention, says auditor Department chastised for failing to get value for money its handling of contracts and for conditions in the camps Marriage equality bill contains discrimination law loophole, NSW warns Anti-Discrimination Board says florists and bakers could refuse to serve gay weddings by claiming to be religious organisations Nanny beaten in Brisbane was also sexually assaulted, police say Detectives call for three people caught on security cameras near site of attack in Petrie to come forward Corrupt former NT government staffer walks free after guilty verdict Paul Mossman convicted of corruptly receiving travel kickbacks in crimes the crown prosecutor compared to those of Eddie Obeid Around the world Top Trump adviser says post-Brexit trade deal feasible within a year Financier Anthony Scaramucci says US could finalise talks with UK in first six to 12 months of new administration Islamic State surrounds military airport in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria Isis breaks through government lines and takes control of area where World Food Programme's airdrops land Malaysia Airlines flight MH370: underwater search called off Wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 might never be found after suspension of underwater search Topless feminist protester attacks Donald Trump waxwork Femen activist reportedly held on to statue's crotch shouting 'grab patriarchy by the balls' Wife of Orlando nightclub gunman charged with aiding and abetting attack Noor Salman, widow of Omar Mateen, appears in court over accusations of engaging in 'misleading conduct' toward local officers and FBI agents

One last thing Shaun Micallef on faith, fervour and finding the stairway to heaven "A lot of people are too busy trying to survive to find any meaning," says the comedian, who once wanted to be a priest. Micallef is back on screens this week exploring big topics around meaning and religion in the second series of his documentary, Shaun Micallef's Stairway to Heaven. It starts tonight at 8.30pm on SBS. Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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