Sydney remain in the hunt for a home AFL final after a stellar second quarter lifted the Swans to a comfortable 52-point win over Brisbane in Saturday's twilight game at the SCG.

Queenslanders have donated about $100,000 to the three survivors of the state's worst fire in more than a decade.

Frontline police in NSW are set to get new and improved bullet resistant vests following next week's state budget, Premier Barry O'Farrell says.

The navy has released a new Australian-developed missile defence radar system for initial operational use after achieving what it says are outstanding results from the trial of the system.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard insists she will lead the Australian Labor Party at the next federal election despite questioning about her leadership.

The caffeine hit relied on by so many people to make it through the day could be all in the mind, new research out of Britain shows.

Travellers at Melbourne Airport are being warned to brace for filthy toilets and piles of rubbish next week after crisis talks with cleaning company Spotless failed to reach a resolution.

Greater Western Sydney missed out on the signature of Collingwood star Dale Thomas, but coach Kevin Sheedy says the AFL club is almost ready to make some major announcements.

The Wests Tigers will be in the box seat to claim fourth spot and a NRL home final when they take on Cronulla on Saturday night, with a final-round wave of Sharks emotion their only real obstacle.<

Julia Gillard has vowed to lead Labor to the next federal election, dismissing speculation over her political future.