Thursday afternoon's news in under 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. Peter Greste calls on global media and politicians to support greater freedom of the press.

Australia journalist Peter Greste has made an impassioned call for greater freedom for the media.

In a packed room at the National Press Club in Canberra today, Mr Greste said the threat against the media in today’s global political climate — particularly the war on terror — was serious.

“Rarely have so many of us been imprisoned, beaten up, intimidated or murdered in the course of our duties,” he said.

Peter Greste was this year released from prison in Egypt, where he had been detained on charges of aiding the Muslim Brotherhood while reporting for Al Jazeera in 2013.

Related content: Egyptian court releases Peter Greste’s colleagues.

Mr Greste thanked Australian politicians, particularly Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, for their work in securing his release from prison, but went on to emphasis the role of the media as political watchdogs.

“As uncomfortable as it is Minister, we need to have access, we need to see what’s going on, and as difficult as it is for the Government, if we close that down, if we make it hard for journalists to do their jobs, then we end up with dark spaces where things happen that really shouldn’t be happening,” Greste said about further transparency and access to detention centres.

“The public has a right to know, it’s as simple as that.

“We hired the Government, they work for us — not the other way around.”

2. Police are searching for a teenage girl missing in Victoria.

Police have launched a public appeal to help find missing teenage girl, Michelle Keating.

Michelle, 16, was last seen at her school on the corner of Kings Way and Albert Road in Melbourne yesterday afternoon, but failed to return home to Newport.

Police are highly concerned with the disappearance, which is described as out of character.

Michelle was last seen wearing her school uniform, consisting of a grey jacket and maroon dress.

Anyone who sees Michelle or knows something they think could be useful is urged to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

3. Liberal MP pushes for conscience vote on marriage equality bill.

By Matthew Doran, ABC.

Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says he believes many of his Liberal colleagues are now in favour of same-sex marriage.

Mr Frydenberg told Radio National this morning that a motion for a conscience vote is likely to succeed if it is put to the party room.

“I think people come to the table on this issue with different religious positions, different moral positions, different ethical positions,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“That’s why I think they should be allowed to express a conscience vote and, if they are, many people would probably express a view in favour of gay marriage.

“I think there is [a shift in favour]. I can’t put my finger on what the numbers would actually be because I haven’t had those discussions with my colleagues.”

The comments came as Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm said he is unlikely to bring on debate on his same-sex marriage bill in the Upper House today.

Senator Leyonhjelm tried to pressure the Liberal party room to take a position on a conscience vote this week, but that did not eventuate.

The Coalition opposed a push to change the Marriage Act in the last Parliament.

Related content: He lobbied against same-sex marriage, then his daughter married another woman.

Senator Leyonhjelm said he wanted to give the matter sufficient time for debate.

“The Liberal Party didn’t come to a decision as to its position on a conscience vote, so that debate would be somewhat artificial,” Mr Leyonhjelm said.

“It will be months before it’s debated again.

“For me to make my second reading speech now, when I can’t make another one later in the debate, would be a bit of a waste, although I have a very good speech ready.”

This article was originally published by ABC and has been republished here with full permission. 

4. A woman escapes an attempted abduction in Sydney’s northern suburbs.

A woman has narrowly escaped an abduction attempt in the northern Sydney suburb of Crows Nest.

The 27-year-old woman was walking down Falcon Street at approximately 10.25pm on Wednesday night, when she was grabbed from behind.

The attacker covered her mouth and attempted to force her into the boot of his silver sedan.

The unidentified woman screamed and punched the man in the groin, after which she fell to the ground and her attacker drove away.

After calling emergency services, the woman was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where she was treated fro grazes and bruising.

The Harbourside police are appealing to the public for information. 

They have released a statement describing the man as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern/Sub-continental appearance, in his 30s, about 175 cm tall, with a stocky build and short dark hair.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit their website.

5. Free whooping cough vaccine offered to pregnant women in SA

By ABC.

Pregnant women in South Australia are being offered the whooping cough vaccination for free by the State Government in a bid to prevent an outbreak of the deadly illness.

A four-week-old baby died in Western Australia last week from the infectious disease and there are concerns about a spike in the number of cases across the country.

Health Minister Jack Snelling said he hoped as many expectant mothers as possible would take advantage of the free vaccine.

“As we saw last week, whooping cough is a very serious illness that can have tragic and devastating consequences for those who have not been fully immunised,” Mr Snelling said.

“Infants under six months of age are not able to complete the required series of vaccinations so they remain especially vulnerable to whooping cough.

“By giving the mother a whooping cough vaccination in the last trimester of pregnancy, this immunity is transferred to the baby, providing over 90 per cent protection.”

Related content: This mother lost her baby to whooping cough. Now she’s bing targeted by anti-vaxxers.

SA Health chief medical officer Paddy Phillips said while the number of cases in South Australia were relatively low, the cyclical nature of whooping cough meant an increase in cases was likely.

“Whooping cough is a serious respiratory infection, which is particularly dangerous in very young infants,” Professor Phillips said.

“We know the number of whooping cough cases increases sharply every four to five years so it’s important that we prepare ourselves now for a spike in numbers.”

Megan O’Dowd is 28 weeks’ pregnant, and has opted to take advantage of the free vaccination.

“There’s been a lot more cases of it recently, and with the recent case of Riley passing away, it’s very scary,” Ms O’Dowd said.

“Personally, I think all kids should be vaccinated.

“We can’t rely on this herd immunity anymore because a lot more people aren’t getting immunised, so herd immunity is not working.”

Related content: Why doctors always, always vaccinate their children.

Ms O’Dowd encouraged other expectant mothers to make use of the free vaccinations.

“I’d even encourage fathers, grandparents, anyone who’s going to be spending time around your baby to have them,” she said.

“It’s not very difficult, it’s pain-free so why wouldn’t you do it?”

This article was originally published by the ABC and has been republished here with full permission. 

6. Government backs down on planned cuts to community and indigenous legal centres.

The Federal Government has backed down on its planned cuts to community and Indigenous legal centres, which were announced in 2013.

Now, Attorney-General George Brandis says the Government is taking a more “nuanced approach” to funding such legal centres, ABC News reports.

Senator Brandis announced the reinstatement of $25.5 million over two years to the sector alongside the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women Michaelia Cash this afternoon.

“With the passage of time, and a greater appreciation of where the needs lie and where the priorities lie, we’re taking what you might call a more nuanced approach,” Senator Brandis said.

Senator Brandis blamed the decision on the Coalition inheriting a “budget trainwreck” from Labor, Fairfax Media reports.

When first announced, the planned cuts raised the ire of community and Indigenous legal centres. Many were concerned they would have to close.

“Today’s policy reversal is extremely welcome, but this should only be the beginning,”Australian Greens spokesperson for legal affairs Senator Penny Wright said today. “The Productivity Commission’s recent report said $200 million more was required just to address urgent need.”

The Productivity Commission on Access to Justice Arrangements last year recommended that cuts to indigenous legal services be reversed. The commission also recommended that $200 million more be added to the legal assistance sector, Fairfax Media reports.

Cuts to offices such as the Environmental Defenders Office will still go ahead.

What’s making news for you today? Leave us a comment below.