Alleged criminal syndicate may have cost Australia's banks $500m

0:00A List-Nap production. Good morning, I'm Lauren Howard. Half a billion dollars. That's the I-Watering amount Australia's major banks may have lost to the alleged penthouse syndicate. So far, police have arrested 33 people and their investigation is far from over. New laws targeting a list of tobacco will be introduced to a federal parliament today. Labour wants to make it easier for authorities to prosecute crooks importing black market tobacco and retailers selling illegal cigarettes. It's as the coalition continues to push for a cut to the tobacco tags. Homes are taking longer to sell. Cotality data shows the median times increase to 39 days up from 28 days a year ago, while Australia's most expensive homes are leading the housing downturn. And thousands of transport workers across the country are going on strike today. They're

1:01calling for their pay to be in line with the industry standards and greater job security. The super league said to accept the NRL's 57 million dollar rescue package. It's understood Peter Valandis will hold talks with English bosses tonight. And Buzz Rothfield has raised concerns about the Perth Bears entering the next season saying they need more help. Unlike the dolphins who began in a rugby league heartland and Port Maul's B who were starting in a rugby league just crazy bloody nation, Perth are in an AFL heartland stronghold.