Sunday's news in 5 minutes.

We’ve rounded up all the latest stories from Australia and around the world – so you don’t have to go searching.

1. Abbott government pushes for more women to get back into work, after having children.

“For the sake of the future of the Australian economy, we need you.”

Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey is encouraging Australian women to rejoin workforce by ensuring that families still receive some welfare payments even after they return to work.

Families in the low to middle-income range could be set to keep a number of payments, including Family Tax Benefit A or the Child Care Benefit, under the guidelines in the proposed Government White Paper.

While the Treasurer says he understands women want to spend more time with their children, he says that female workforce participation is critical to boosting the economy.

“We have an ageing population,” the Treasurer said, “we need (women) to be more productive, we need you for your experience, we need you for the contribution you all make for the jobs that your children will get in the future.”

Mr Hockey is exploring opportunities for women to balance home and work life, especially by growing home-based businesses. He states that women are “prolific” at beginning their own businesses.

“[Women are] great innovators – they want the flexibility to be able to work form home, earn an income and at the same time engage innovative ideas.”

The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Michaelia Cash, said that we need to be seeking “female economic empowerment” and that gender equality is a key factor in our economic growth and prosperity.

2. Al-Jazeera journalists given a minimum three year sentence in Cairo trial.

After their convictions were overturned in January of this year, a retrial of three Al-Jazeera journalists has seen them convicted and sentenced to three years in jail.

Australian Peter Greste, Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy, and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, were convicted overnight on charges of aiding the banned Muslin Brotherhood group. Mohamed Fahmy was convicted with an extra six months and a fine.

Despite all three furiously denying the allegations, Judge Hassan Farid said that the journalists were unregistered and unlicenced working in Egypt, and claimed that they spread “false news” across the country.

The ABC reports that the delivery of the verdict caused “choas and tears”, with Fahmy and Mohamed immediatley forced into police custody without the opportunity to say goodbye to their families.

Fahmy’s wife, Mawa Omara, cried outside the courtroom, proclaiming her husband’s innocence.

“He did nothing wrong except journalism and I don’t know how I’m going to survive this without him.”

Amal Clooney, the lawyer repreeseting Fahmy, has slammed the decision made by the court, calling a “dangerous message.”

“The verdict todays sends a very dangerous message in Egypt. It sends a message that journalists can be locked up for simply doing their job, for telling the truth and reporting the news.”

Greste, who was deported earlier this year and was not present at the trial, is outraged and confused by the decision.

“The prosecutor presented no new evidence to suggest we were guilty of anything, and yet wee see this absolutley staggeriing verdict,” says Greste.

“They’ve always insisted that the courts are politically independent, that they are free of political influence, and yet we see a verdict like this.”

Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop, has released a statement confirming that she will continue to advocate and seek a solution to the verdict.

“I have spoken to Mr Greste today and reaffirmed that I will continue to pursue all diplomatic avenues with my Egyptian counterpart to clear his name,” the statement read.

3. Birthday cakes banned at a Sydney child care centre.

A Surry Hills child care centre, Only About Children, has informed all parents that they should no longer bring cake for children to celebrate their birthdays.

In a note sent to parents the child-care centre recognised the excitement of celebrating a child’s birthday, but indicated that the large number of birthday cakes was both unhealthy and excluding certain children.

A spokesperson for Only About Children said that, “The frequency of birthdays each week and thus birthday cakes exceeded the nutritional guide for early childhood.” They also indicated that they received frequent complaints from parents whose children were left out of eating the birthday cakes because they were allergic to egg and dairy.

Some parents have been left dumbfounded by the decision, and are concerned that their children will miss an important part of celebrating birthdays.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that one parent said, “The birthday cake is a tradition. It’s coming together over something pleasant and enjoyable. It’s those little moments of fun that make it a very important social event for the kids.”

4. “Homophobic” and “sexist” Gold Coast police accused of having sex in stations and police cars.

An independent review into the culture of the Queensland Gold Coast police has revealed that behaviour at the stations is out of control.

The review was prompted after the Gold Coast Bulletin published a leaked copy of allegations that a female staff member was groped, and abused. The report also alleged that many young female constables were pressured into having sex, and one officer was “grabbed on the boobs”.

The review indicated that a number of on-duty police officers were having sex on station desks and in police cars, and that one-fifth of employees believed that their managers were poorly-behaved.  The review also found that gay police officers faced bullying and taunts from other workers. In one stairwell, the word “faggot” was spray painted.

The QLD Police Commisioner, Ian Stewart, has said that there is an “inherent” problem in the Gold Coast area.

“[But], I’m quite convinced that what could potentially be found is that the actions of a few are tarnishing the great work of most of the police that work on the Gold Coast.”

5. Melbourne football team launches ‘Gay is OK’ campaign.

A Melbourne amateur football team, the University Blacks, have declared that ‘Gay is OK’, showing their support for gay players and the wider gay community.

The players have swapped their traditional jerseys for ones painted with rainbow stripes.

9 News reports that rainbows were also painted along the 50 metre line to celebrate the day.

Former player of the club, Lachlan Beaton, inspired the club’s actions after disclosing that he was afraid of being excluded because of his sexuality.

Beaton’s brother, Charles, has said that many sporting codes are progressing in this area, and letting people know that it’s ok to be gay.

A number of high-profile AFL members are supporting the campaign, with St Kilda expecting play a “pride match” next year.

Have you got a news tip? We’d love to hear it: news@mamamia.com.au

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