The day that was, Friday 8 July
We will wrap up the live blog now. Thanks for tuning in.
Here’s what made the news today:
- The Australian parliament will consider extending more rights including on voting to New Zealand citizens living in Australia, following a meeting between NZ PM Jacinda Ardern and Australian PM Anthony Albanese.
- The president of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, has welcomed the decision to drop prosecution of whistleblower lawyer Bernard Collaery, as Collaery indicates he may seek costs from the government.
- The clean up from the NSW floods has begun around the Hawkesbury, as NSW moves from the emergency response to recovery phase.
- The NSW and federal government added the local government areas of Cumberland, Mid Coast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Randwick, Warren to disaster declared areas, taking the total to 37.
- The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has said the reinfection window for Covid-19 should be reduced from 12 weeks to 28 days.
- There were at least 35 Covid-19 deaths reported in Australia.
We will be back again tomorrow, but until then stay safe.
Updated
Welfare payment suspension pause broadened amid Workforce Australia woes
The Albanese government has broadened a 30-day pause on welfare payment suspensions to thousands of jobseekers with disability who risked having their benefits stopped due to the trouble-plagued Workforce Australia rollout.
Five days after the launch of the successor to the much-maligned Jobactive scheme, welfare recipients have told Guardian Australia they are still having trouble logging into the application used to log job search efforts and complete other necessary mutual obligations tasks.
More than 750,000 jobseekers are on the new Workforce Australia system – with its contentious “points-based” mutual obligations rules – but thousands more on the Disability Employment Services (Des) program also need to use the same app to report their activities so their payments are not stopped.
While compliance action has been suspended for 30 days in Workforce Australia, those on Des have not been spared under the government’s plans.
On Friday night, the government announced it would extend the reprieve to Des jobseekers, amid the technical problems with the new system.
The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said:
There were more than 70,000 people with disability that may have been disproportionately impacted if these changes were not made by being cut off from their income support payments. The changes have been made to be consistent with Workforce Australia. An Albanese Labor government does not want people to be confused by these changes.
Jobseekers in the Des program will not be subjected to mutual obligations or receive “demerit points” – which can cause further sanctions until 1 August.
A spokesperson for the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, which administers the Workforce Australia, defended the rollout, saying there had been intermittent issues on Friday “potentially affecting between 1,800 to 2,500 individual participants or .35% of the total cohort”.
They said the issues were resolved by 3.15pm, and that there had been 500,000 logins since Monday.
To support the transition of Workforce Australia participants into the Points Based Activation System [PBAS], compliance action will not be raised for the first month [1 to 31 July 2022] for any mutual obligation requirements.
Updated
Firefighters on scene at warehouse fire in south-west Sydney
Seven fire trucks and 28 firefighters are on the scene fighting a warehouse fire on Birch St in Condell Park, south-west of Sydney.
CONDELL PARK | #FRNSW fighting a fire in a warehouse @ Birch St. Seven fire trucks and approx 28 FFs working the fire. Traffic blocked on Marion and Birch Streets. @nswpolice @LiveTrafficSyd @NSWAmbulance
— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) July 8, 2022
Updated
Ambulance delays reach record levels in South Australia
Ambulance ramping has reached record levels in South Australia with the delays increasing pressure on the state’s already stretched public hospital network, AAP reports.
The latest figures show ambulances were ramped outside hospitals for a total of 3,838 hours in June, a 12.5% increase on the previous high of 3,412 hours the previous month.
Ramping hours had fallen to less than half of those figures in February before rising in March.
On Friday, SA Health’s dashboard showed ambulances were spending an average of 109 minutes at Flinders Medical Centre before being cleared, while at Royal Adelaide hospital the figure was 64 minutes.
The shortest clearance time was 28 minutes at the Women’s and Children’s hospital.
The state’s newly elected Labor government campaigned on a promise to bring ramping under control and health minister Chris Picton said the latest figures were “clearly unacceptable”.
We don’t have enough capacity in the system. We’ve committed over 550 beds in addition to what we have at the moment but these will take years to build, unfortunately.
We have opened up every single bed in the health system at the moment. We’re using every possible hospital site that we can at the moment.
Picton said additional beds had also been secured across the private hospital network.
There had also been a recent rise in Covid-19 related admissions and influenza cases, a factor expected to continue in the weeks ahead.
Updated
Fair Work Commission set to rule on NSW rail industrial action tomorrow
AAP is reporting that we won’t know whether the NSW government has won a bid to halt industrial action that has disrupted the state’s train network for two weeks until tomorrow.
The state government on Friday squared off against the Rail, Tram and Bus Union at the Fair Work Commission after earlier in the week losing an initial bid to block the action.
While it was hoped a final decision would be handed down on Friday, a union spokeswoman told AAP the commission was now expected do give its ruling on Saturday.
Updated
Kangaroo rescued from flood water in Maitland
#FLOODWATCH // Check out this incredible footage of one of our IRBs in Maitland today rescuing a kangaroo trapped in flood water!
— Surf Life Saving NSW (@slsnsw) July 8, 2022
Dane Henderson and Tom Godfrey from Bulli SLSC were out ferrying people when they came across the kangaroo swimming away from a fox. pic.twitter.com/8v1ZTT9Cp7
Updated
Government must intervene in Assange case, independent says
The independent MP Andrew Wilkie has hit back at claims Australia has no legal grounds to intervene in the case of Julian Assange, AAP reports.
Wilkie, a former intelligence analyst and a prominent advocate for Assange, says the matter could be solved quickly at a political level:
Governments and politicians have got to stop hiding behind the excuse of the Julian Assange matter being a legal matter.
It has always been an intensely political matter.
His comments come after the former attorney general George Brandis said Australia had no legal grounds in Assange’s case.
Brandis said:
Australia wasn’t a party to the proceedings and had no standing to intervene in the proceedings.
It was legal proceedings in a British court between the government of the United States and a private citizen. We would not intervene in those proceedings.
Wilkie says the matter could be solved with a phone call from the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, to the US or UK:
This has gone on long enough, it’s time to put it to an end.
I don’t doubt that Australia has enough influence to bring this to an end, we underestimate ourselves to think otherwise, and we are close allies of both countries.
Updated
A cold front will hit south-west Western Australia tomorrow, bringing showers and possible storms.
Cold front to impact south-west #WA on Saturday bringing showers and possible storms. Gusty winds and higher temperatures means High to Very High #FireDanger on Friday and Saturday for parts of south-western WA. Latest: https://t.co/7ER1W247uK pic.twitter.com/OJtSXDplBF
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) July 8, 2022
Updated
Covid reinfection window reduced from 12 weeks to 28 days
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has released a statement on the state of the Covid-19 pandemic in Australia, in which it advises to reduce the window people are deemed not to have been reinfected with Covid-19 from 12 weeks to 28 days.
It means if you catch Covid again four weeks after the last time, it should be counted as a new transmission.
The AHPPC said:
Given reinfections may occur as early as 28 days after recovery from a previous Covid-19 infection, the AHPPC advises that the reinfection period be reduced from 12 weeks to 28 days. People who test positive to Covid-19 more than 28 days after ending isolation due to previous infection should be reported and managed as new cases.
The AHPPC said BA.4 and BA.5 becoming the predominant strains in Australia means there will be reinfections among those who have been infected with Covid before, and those who are up to date on vaccinations.
Updated
The days of stacking the ABC board and its nominations panel with captain’s picks may be over. The Labor government has pledged to make sure ABC board members are appointed on the basis of expertise in a transparent and impartial way and are able to operate independently, the new minister for communications, Michelle Rowland, said.
Read more in The Weekly Beast:
Updated
Victorians advised to book fourth Covid shot with GP or pharmacy
For those in Victoria who are looking to book their fourth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, the state health department has advised people to book with your local GP or pharmacy rather than going to the state-run vaccination centres.
From Monday, people aged 30 and over will be able to get a fourth jab, if they so choose, with Atagi recommending the fourth dose to people aged 50 and over.
The Victorian health department says the state-run vaccination centres are now targeted for communities most at risk of serious illness from Covid-19, such as those 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 and over, people with compromised immunity and people with a disability.
Updated
A Severe Weather Warning for Damaging Surf has been issued for much of the NSW coast developing during Sunday. Full details at https://t.co/790iw5BNdR pic.twitter.com/JueYkuqz1I
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) July 8, 2022
David Elliott criticised for overseas holiday in middle of rail dispute
The NSW opposition has slammed the state’s transport minister for taking a holiday while an industrial dispute between the government and rail union disrupts train services for a second straight week, AAP reports.
The Labor leader, Chris Minns, on Friday criticised the transport minister, David Elliott, who has previously vowed to resign if he does not deliver on promises to address union concerns, for leaving the country during the crisis.
Elliott is holidaying in Europe with his wife after having his leave delayed several times.
However, Minns said the solution to the dispute was for both sides to go into a locked room that no one left until an outcome was achieved.
“That can’t happen if you jump on an aeroplane and leave before negotiations have been finalised,” he said.
Elliott would respond to the criticisms when he returned from leave, his office confirmed to AAP.
A result at the Fair Work Commission is expected on Friday afternoon.
Updated
Australia’s Antarctic research ship out of action
Australia’s $529m Antarctic resupply and research vessel will likely be out of action for the 2022-23 season due to a delay in sourcing spare parts, AAP reports.
The Australian Antarctic Division says it has “moved swiftly” to adjust shipping plans to the frozen continent and is assessing implications for scientific projects.
The RSV Nuyina arrived in Singapore in April for scheduled maintenance and was due back in Hobart in October ahead of summer.
The Antarctic Division director, Kim Ellis, said works included improvements to the icebreaker’s hydraulic control system within the propulsion system clutches.
“While work has been progressing well on the clutches, an unexpected issue was discovered in the large couplings that connect the propulsion shafts with the clutches,” he said in a statement on Friday:
Following initial investigations and testing, the manufacturer has determined that shaft couplings need to be replaced.
Delivery time frames for replacement couplings are lengthy, driven to a large extent by material shortages and supply chain issues.
Nuyina, which undertook its first two Antarctic voyages earlier this year, is unlikely to be ready for the coming 2022-23 season, Ellis said.
The change-over dates for the 90 expeditioners living and working at the four Australian research stations in Antarctica and on Macquarie Island will remain much the same, he said.
Updated
Twitter says it found little misinformation during federal election
Twitter has said despite preparing for targeted misinformation on its platform during the federal election in May, it was relatively quiet without much activity that violates the company’s policies.
In a call with journalists in the Asia Pacific region about the company’s policies on spam and bots earlier this week, the company said it went into the election expecting potential threat actors like Chinese state media accounts trying to influence the election conversations in Australia but found there wasn’t a large degree of activity violating the company’s policies around misinformation or bot accounts.
The company revealed it bans around 1m spam accounts per day from its platform, and said the largest topics spam accounts tend to focus on are pornography and cryptocurrency.
Updated
Rural Fire Service volunteers are just one of the agencies helping with the huge task of cleaning up in the aftermath of this week’s flood disaster in NSW.
#NSWRFS volunteers are on centre court in Camden, hosing mud and debris from the tennis courts near the Showground. More than 630 NSW RFS members are out today, as part of the multi-agency response and clean-up following floods and storm damage.
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) July 8, 2022
(📷: Brian Bey) pic.twitter.com/NexuXSnPca
Updated
Eight more NSW areas declared flood disasters
Eight more local government areas in New South Wales are eligible for disaster assistance in the wake of this week’s floods, the NSW and federal governments have announced.
The areas are:
- Cumberland
- Mid Coast
- Muswellbrook
- Nambucca
- Newcastle
- Port Stephens
- Randwick
- Warren
It takes the total disaster-declared LGAs to 37.
People can now apply for disaster recovery funding assistance, as well as the disaster recovery payment of $1,000 for adults and $400 for children.
Federal minister for emergency management, Murray Watt:
I’ve been out in impacted areas this week and it’s clear this is a widespread event, which is going to take some time to recover from.
As the damage continues to be assessed, the New South Wales and Australian governments are working to quickly and efficiently provide access to financial and other assistance.
The NSW minister for emergency services, Steph Cooke said:
Declaring a natural disaster is an essential first step towards getting a range of support out the door and in the pockets of individuals, families, farmers and business owners.
Updated
SA to expand respiratory clinics amid rise in Covid and flu cases
South Australia will expand four respiratory clinics across Adelaide amid rising Covid-19 and influenza cases, AAP reports.
The clinics, originally established for coronavirus assessment, testing, and vaccination, will now cater to anyone with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms, including asthma.
The state government will spend $700,000 to ensure the four sites can operate seven days a week until the end of September.
Health minister Chris Picton said:
Expanding these clinics to include people with respiratory symptoms will make it much easier for all patients to get treatment and take pressure off our GPs.
This is just one measure we are doing right now to boost capacity and combat the pressure our hospital system is facing amid rising flu and Covid cases this winter.
Latest data shows that South Australian GP wait times have increased by 49% over the past two years to an average four-day wait, largely due to workforce and funding pressures.
Delays are expected to ease with the expanded clinics allowing for hundreds of patients to be seen each week through face-to-face and telehealth appointments.
The expanded operations came as SA reported another 3,809 Covid infections on Friday.
SA Health said there had also been more than 7,300 cases of influenza reported so far this year.
Updated
⚠️Final #Flood Warning issued for #Paterson&WilliamsRivers. River levels at #Gostwyck, #Dungog and #MillDamFalls have fallen below the minor flood levels. See https://t.co/AdztI2rqg1 for details and updates; follow advice from @NSWSES. #NSWFloods pic.twitter.com/3Awft5Q07R
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) July 8, 2022
I am handing you over to my colleague Josh Taylor who will be taking you through the rest of this afternoon’s news!
National Covid-19 summary
Here are the latest coronavirus case numbers from around Australia on Friday, as the country records at least 35 deaths from Covid-19:
ACT
- Deaths: 0
- Cases: 1,701
- In hospital: 137 (with 4 people in ICU)
NSW
- Deaths: 7
- Cases: 12,768
- In hospital: 1,901 (with 60 people in ICU)
Northern Territory
- Deaths: 0
- Cases: 380
- In hospital: 17 (with no one in ICU)
Queensland
- Deaths: 13
- Cases: 5,726
- In hospital: 714 (with 17 people in ICU)
South Australia
- Deaths: 0
- Cases: 3,809
- In hospital: 249 (with 9 people in ICU)
Tasmania
- Deaths: 3
- Cases: 1,589
- In hospital: 88 (with 3 people in ICU)
Victoria
- Deaths: 9
- Cases: 9,676
- In hospital: 629 (with 37 people in ICU)
Western Australia
- Deaths: 3
- Cases: 6,217
- In hospital: 242 (with 11 people in ICU)
Malcolm Turnbull ‘horrified’ by shooting of Shinzo Abe
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull is amongst those paying tribute to Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan.
If you want to follow the latest developments in Japan, the Guardian has a live blog dedicated to bringing you the breaking news on it.
Horrified by this terrible news from Japan. Abe Shinzo is one of the great leaders of our times. Right now we must hope and pray that he pulls through. https://t.co/KKx1eLO4nt
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) July 8, 2022
Updated
Flood recovery efforts begin in Windsor
Guardian Australia’s deputy photo editor Blake Sharp-Wiggins was in the town of Windsor this morning, capturing the scenes of clean up and flood recovery following record-level flooding along the Hawkesbury River in NSW.
Updated
People in flood-affected areas urged to remain vigilant
The Bureau of Meteorology says the sun is out along most of the NSW coast.
However, the SES earlier this morning reminded people just because the sun was out didn’t mean flood dangers had passed. They encouraged those in affected areas to remain vigilant, especially people travelling north for holidays.
Following a week of rain, most of the #NSW coast is seeing blue skies and sunshine ☀️ The chance of showers along central parts of the coast on Sunday but these are expected to be light. Current warnings include flood, surf and marine wind warnings. See: https://t.co/Ss766eSCrL pic.twitter.com/afeAbUQ8u9
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) July 8, 2022
Updated
Melbourne and Adelaide airports avoid long wait times seen in Sydney
Fears of long waiting lines at airports around the country have yet to materialise today, with Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide airports avoiding some of the horror wait times seen in recent weeks.
With school holidays in Victoria, NSW and Queensland coming to an end, just as holidays begin in South Australia, authorities had warned travellers to arrive early for their flights, and to expect big crowds.
A spokesperson for Melbourne airport said that while 90,000 people were still expected to pass through the terminals on Friday, and 80,000 on Saturday, longer wait times had been reduced:
A little over half of passengers today are arrivals, which suggests people returning to Victoria as the school holidays end. There has been some queueing at peak periods, but the lines are moving quickly.
A spokesperson for Adelaide airport said today was the busiest day since the pandemic, with more than 30,000 travellers expected today, but with lines moving quickly:
Adelaide airport is very busy this morning as expected but the lines for check in and security have been moving well, and all of our security lanes are open.
Updated
On the ground in Hawkesbury
Melanie Woods is a self-described “Hawkesbury-ite”, her family has grown up on its banks for generations.
We know what it does, it doesn’t shock us ... it is what it is, but it came up very quickly, and we’ve had three this year.
On Friday afternoon, Woods was carting boxes of Christmas decorations and camping gear out into the street, discarding items too covered in mud muck to salvage.
Her daughter, Elora Kingsbury, sat in their yard, wiping grime off her wedding decorations in the sun. Kingsbury was married during Covid, when you could only have 11 guests, and was planning a proper celebration in September (pending more floods).
It’s the shock, the fact we’re here again, like, seriously? It’s unprecedented.
A sense of resilience has been echoed by politicians, however there is a grim acceptance of one’s fate amongst locals who’ve been here before.
Woods and her family have lived in their current property for two years, and have experienced four floods in that time.
They evacuated this week when the river exceeded 13 metres, with no time to move everything upstairs, and Woods says it’s been the worst one yet.
The last one that went into our house was one in 100 years, well, so is this one. We’ve lost of a lot of my parent’s stuff this time, their memorabilia, but I think we’re tired. We’re disaster weary ... I’m sick of it. But there’s people worse off than us.
If you choose to live in Hawkesbury, this is what you get.
Updated
Australia won’t need to ‘compromise’ with China on trade sanctions, Birmingham says
The shadow foreign affairs minister, Simon Birmingham, has taken aim at trade minister Don Farrell for comments to Guardian Australia about possible “compromise” with China.
On Tuesday Farrell said this about trade disputes with China:
So, at the moment the plan is to proceed with those [World Trade Organisation disputes]. Obviously if the opportunity arises to have a different set of discussions, whereby we can nut out a compromise situation – then I’d be fully supportive of going down that track.
At the moment it’s the WTO process, that’s the proper way that these issues should be determined. But, if an alternative way emerges, then we’ll certainly be happy to look at that.
On Friday Birmingham told Sky News he “noted with some concern” that Farrell had suggested “that perhaps there were compromises to be had with China”, because we should expect that “unfair trade sanctions” would cease “without the need for compromise or without any acquiescence towards Chinese demands”.
He said:
We certainly shouldn’t be working through those issues by potentially pushing one Australian industry under a bus at the expense of another. We should make sure that the Australian government ... is standing up clearly for all of Australia’s interests in relation to our engagement with China.
And that talk of compromise by senator Farrell was erroneous language on his part, rather than a suggestion that somehow we’re going to concede that some industries can be penalised or punished while others won’t be.
Updated
I’ll hand you back to the intrepid Natasha May now.
On the Hawkesbury River, the floods clean-up begins
If it weren’t for a helicopter hovering overhead there’d be few signs that western Sydney had been lashed with floods while heading down the Hume motorway on Friday morning.
Blue skies had finally hit the region, as strings of emergency vehicles flocked to Windsor where the Hawkesbury River was beginning to recede.
Closer in, though, mud slicks, closed roads and shuttered shops were a reminder of the torrential rainfall that had lingered in Sydney since the weekend. And, as the water dries, the clean up begins.
In Windsor’s main drag, strings of ADF crew walked the streets alongside tired SES volunteers, sat on the banks of the river, watching it flow.
The river peaked above the major March 2022 flood level of 13.8 metres on Tuesday, but was now sitting at 9.18 metres and falling slowly. The Bureau said it was likely to fall below the moderate flood level of 7 metres on Saturday.
A plaque on the side of the Macquarie Hotel pays testament to the 1867 floods, when water licked at the main street. The pub had been saved from any damage this time around, but locals agreed July 2022 had been the worst floods in their recent memory.
Down at the river bank, Melanie Woods was carting mud-drenched belongings from the bottom story of her house, as her children mopped the floors, donned in knee-high gumboots.
Updated
Australia and NZ to coordinate on electric vehicle fleet
Australia will coordinate with New Zealand when it comes to procuring electric vehicles for its government fleet.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement on Friday when discussing opportunities for trans-Tasman collaboration in the area of renewable energy.
Albanese said:
If we are all competing against each other for procurement at the same time, we will end up paying more for it but not if there is cooperation between Australia and New Zealand.
The PM went on to say this collaboration could also include the creation of industry policy and developing domestic manufacturing capacity for renewable energy – a key issue following an International Energy Agency report on Friday that said China dominated the photovoltaic solar supply chain:
What’s more, if we are looking at the potential that I certainly see Australia having of stepping up industry policy and manufacturing in the renewable sector, then that, if it is combined across our two nations, could have a much more positive economic outcome.
Government and corporate fleet buying is considered one way to boost the uptake of electric vehicles. As governments and corporations regularly update their fleets, the old cars are sold on the second-hand market, making them available to people who can’t afford to buy a new car outright.
This announcement suggests Australian and New Zealand governments will work together rather than be drawn into a bidding war for a limited pool of electric vehicles being sent to the region, which would drive up the price.
Energy minister Chris Bowen told the National Press Club in June that the new government planned to convert three in four cars in the commonwealth fleet to “no-emissions vehicles”.
This was part of the government’s “Driving The Nation” plan which also aimed to install a fast charger every 150km on Australian highways.
The new Albanese government has been promising to make the uptake of electric vehicles a priority, promising to cut tariffs on their importation and abolish the fringe benefits tax on “affordable electric vehicles” from 1 July.
Updated
Japan’s former PM Shinzo Abe shot during speech, reports say
Huge breaking news out of Japan where there are unconfirmed reports that Japan’s former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot – he has reportedly collapsed while making a speech, with initial reports saying gunshots had been heard shortly before he fell to the ground.
Follow the developments here:
Updated
Thanks to everyone following along this morning, handing you over now to my wonderful colleague Stephanie Convery!
More than 100 people evacuated following Sydney unit fire
More than 100 people were evacuated early this morning following a unit fire in a multi-storey residential building in the Sydney suburb of Ultimo.
Fire and Rescue NSW said three people were assessed on-scene by NSW Ambulance but were not transported to hospital.
An electric bike battery was the cause of the fire.
Ultimo | 100 people evacuated following unit fire: More than 100 people were evacuated following a unit fire in a multi-storey residential building in Ultimo early this morning.
— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) July 8, 2022
A fire broke out in a ... https://t.co/HyqJKLMOuS
Updated
South Australia records no Covid deaths and 249 in hospital
There were 3,809 new cases in the last reporting period, and nine people are in intensive care.
Updated
Penny Wong’s meeting with Chinese counterpart is not ‘a reset’, expert says
Richard McGregor, a senior fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute, is on ABC radio discussing Penny Wong’s sideline meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Bali today.
McGregor says although it’s significant the two sides have not had a meeting of this kind for nearly three years, it shouldn’t be thought of as a reset.
It may stabilise the relationship as Penny Wong said. It’s not a reset, because a reset implies that we’re going back to where we came from, and I don’t think that that is the case.
He said the fundamental differences, including the situation in Taiwan, remain between the countries and are “certainly” not going to change in one meeting.
Australia has doubled down the US alliance and you can’t simply wiggle out of things like that to improve relations with China.
But talking to China I think is a good idea. Stabilising the relationship is a good idea. There are some things that we can talk about – about trade, about the environment, about green hydrogen, about climate change. But we have to get back to the table and re-develop at least a baseline of trust before we can do any of that.
Obviously, on the Chinese side, there’s some things that are – I don’t want to put it like this – but that they have up their sleeve diplomatically. Penny Wong talked about the imprisonment of Cheng Lei. And a second Australian in prison in China on national security politically related charges. You won’t see them let out of jail just like that.
They would have to be convicted first, and then perhaps let out on humanitarian grounds. That could be considered to be a gesture by China and accepted by Australia. In Australia’s case, you might see a modification of language on some issues. You might see greater willingness to accept Chinese investment.
This is an evolutionary process. It won’t happen overnight.
Updated
Dutton confirms US holiday amid criticisms of PM’s Ukraine visit
Peter Dutton has confirmed, via text message with News.com.au’s Samantha Maiden, that he is on holiday “in the United States”.
(And not in Hawaii, where former prime minister Scott Morrison spent his holiday when the Black Summer bushfires began.)
As we reported earlier in the week, Dutton’s trip comes at the same time that the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, faced criticism from Coalition figures for travelling overseas – on an official visit to Ukraine:
Updated
Queensland records 13 Covid deaths and 714 in hospital
There were 5,726 new cases in the last reporting period, and 17 people are in intensive care.
Today we have recorded 5,726 new COVID-19 cases.
— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) July 8, 2022
Sadly, we have reported 13 deaths in the past 24 hours.
Full details➡️ https://t.co/rKHIwroZeI pic.twitter.com/zquxsnD4vH
Updated
We just heard from Perrottet and Cooke about the astounding aerial views of how flooding has transformed the Maitland region. Take a look for yourselves.
Updated
Perrottet addresses rail union dispute
Perrottet is being asked about the rail union dispute:
He has denied it will be embarrassing for his government if the union win, saying his focus is “on the people”.
I want the trains on the tracks as quickly as possible.
The government had no choice but to proceed to the Fair Work Commission.
Perrottet says the government will respect whatever decision comes out of the Fair Work Commission.
Updated
NSW government wants raising of Warragamba Dam to be completed
Perrottet has reaffirmed that the state government want the raising of the Warragamba Dam to be completed.
When asked about the price tag he said it would be “in the billions”.
Perrottet said the previous government were supportive of the 50/50 funding split between state and federal government for the project, but said the current government has also shown interest.
He said the project has been in the “too hard basket for too long”, but it’s critical to protecting communities continually affected by flooding.
Here’s a story on the issue from back in late March:
Updated
Maitland community update
Jenny Aitchison, the state member for Maitland, is speaking about the situation for her community on the ground:
Maitland is a resilient community, this is where the SES was born in 1955.
Flood mitigation scheme has really helped our community to get through this without major damage so far to homes and properties but there are a lot of farmers who will be seeking help and counsel is already flagging roads and, of course, the state roads network is really damaged.
Aitchison and Damien Johnston, the deputy SES commissioner, has reminded people in affected areas that although the sun is out and shining, flood waters still pose danger.
Johnston said river and flood levels are still high, and those who have delayed their holidays should show caution.
Updated
NSW moving from emergency response into recovery phase
Steph Cooke, the state minister for emergency services and resilience, is providing more details about the transition from an emergency to recovery scenario:
We are starting to see those floodwaters recede but of course, there is a lot of water lying around.
The premier and I have the opportunity to see it from the air. The landscape is absolutely saturated, the creeks and rivers are still incredibly swollen.
There is widespread inundation and it really does highlight the task ahead for us now so we are really moving from that emergency response scenario into recovery.
Cooke said the expansion of natural disaster declarations will enable communities to get the government support they need:
The number of natural disaster declarations has increased from 23 to 29 with the addition of six overnight, working in partnership with the federal government, to make sure that as the weather event moves through and we become aware of areas and local government areas that are impacted, that we do move quickly to make those natural disaster declarations.
So that is the first step in terms of unlocking support for those communities. As we go forward, as more local government areas are able to be assessed, and we are aware of damage, we will move to make further natural disaster declarations together as required.
Updated
Dominic Perrottet gives update on NSW floods
NSW premier Dominic Perrottet is in Maitland giving an update on the flooding in the state.
Currently today, we still have 67 evacuation orders in place, 22 evacuation warnings that are impacting about 47,000 people across New South Wales.
There are a number, 75, return with caution to homes that is affecting about 50,000 people across NSW.
He thanked the volunteers who have come from across the country from as far as Alice Springs to help, as well as the other state premiers who had offered assistance.
There is no country in the world that has what we have in terms of that spirit of service, that high level of volunteerism and the people who put their own lives on the line to get people through and I think that’s a wonderful and phenomenal thing about our state and something I’m incredibly proud of.
Perrottet said a helicopter ride this morning had allowed him to see the extent of the damage.
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Dropping of prosecution against Bernard Collaery has ‘restored the rule of law’, expert says
Geoffrey Watson, a senior counsel and a director of the Centre for Public Integrity was on the ABC earlier this morning reflecting on the Australian government’s actions in 2004 bugging of the cabinet office of Timor Leste amid negotiations over gas and oil, in light of the news the prosecution against Bernard Collaery has been dropped:
I do think it was that one of the most disgraceful moments in Australia’s conduct of international affairs since the second world war.
It is stealing the assets of one of our closest geographical neighbours but also one of our closest political friends. Also, as you said, it is an impoverished nation. We are stealing from a nation with people less than ours. I thought the whole thing was awful.
Watson says the authorities of the day, who pursued this action against Bernard Collaery, were “legally speaking” in the wrong:
Legally speaking, they were wrong, but they were politically foolish. It is absolutely appalling. I remember during the height of the Cold War how we would hold ourselves morally superior to the Soviet Union and one of the things we would say is can you believe it, how do they conduct these criminal trials in secret?
Yet, here, Australia starts taking the same approach. This basal notion of the way that justice should be dispensed and the way public should be engaged with the issues, behind the conduct of the government. It was just a terrible moment.
Also politically stupid because the fact is it did not need to happen. Mr Brandis, attorney general had this brief initial for a very long time and carefully did nothing with it. Christian Porter thought better of that and started this. Then we had attorney general Michaelia Cash do nothing about it. Can I just say thank you and congratulations to Mr Dreyfus, the new attorney general, for having the courage act. It would have been easier for him to do nothing. This is what I expect from him. He was a lawyer and top-level barrister and he was a man who presented arguments, a lucrative legal practice which is surrendered, really grateful he has restored the rule of law in Australia.
Asked about the precedent it sets for secrecy:
Oh, dear! This should never happen again. We should never been a position where we have these kinds of appalling secret trials. If someone presented this as an outline for a novel, 10 years ago, I would have said they were never publishing that. It’s just absurd, they didn’t do that in Australia. Imagine conducting a trial in secret. We still do not know the name of Witness K and what’s more, he cannot tell us.
Watson also added his name to those calling for an inquiry into the matter:
Asked about whether there should have been a prosecution of Witness K who ended up with a three-month sentence, he said:
It comes back to this. What we did when we barred those premises and it was so carefully planned and put in place, it was complicated, they put it in place for the head and it was a thoughtful, deliberate piece of planning. That was a disgraceful act. I want to praise Witness K for coming forward, to do what he did to try to expose this because we would not have known about it otherwise, and I thank Bernard Collaery for his involvement and encourage that. I go step further and say the matter should not be left here.
I’m not the first to do this but I wish to add my name for those who have called for an inquiry to be conducted into who either ordered, or approved this at a political level. It is different to dealing with spine, where they are following orders. I want to know what was at a political level, who either encouraged, ordered or approved this disgraceful thing! Listeners need to know the story of how awful this was in the way we went about it.
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Australia will work with NZ on EVs, Albanese says
Albanese says Australia will work with New Zealand and state governments on the procurement of electric vehicles to get better outcomes for both nations’ transition to renewable technology:
Together, we are stronger. The economic basis of the relationship when it comes to climate change, for example, we talked very specifically, for example today about electric vehicles.
They are going to be purchased by the New Zealand government, by the Australian government and by the respective state governments.
The state were in here now, New South Wales, to give credit where credit is due, the Perrottet government has a very forward leaning position in terms of government procurement and using that to drive the take-up of electric vehicles through the system.
Now, if we are all competing against each other for procurement at the same time, we will end up paying more for it. But if there is cooperation between Australia and New Zealand, what’s more, if we are looking at the potential that I certainly see Australia having of stepping up industry policy and manufacturing in the renewable sector, then that, if it is combined across our two nations, could have a much more positive economic outcome.
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Pacific should not have to ‘pick sides’ when it comes to China, says Ardern and Albanese
The leaders deny that they are asking Pacific Islands to “pick sides” when it comes to influencing their stance on China.
Q: As New Zealand is softening its stance on China, Mr Albanese, do you agree with prime minister Ardern the Pacific shouldn’t pick sides?
Ardern answers:
The short answer is no. If you look at the context of the statement I made, it acknowledged that within our region we have had the presence of the UK, France, more broadly the EU, China, Japan, New Zealand and Australia, for a number of years, the presence of multiple donors, grant funders and interests in our region is not something that arrived in the last 12 months.
That’s not to say the approach of each of those donors hasn’t changed over time. It’s true that we have seen a more assertive position from China in our region. But while our position is that we, on that basis, shouldn’t suddenly state that nations have to pick for whom their relationships are wed, we are also very clear on our values and the way we conduct those relationships. It should be the Pacific priorities first and foremost. They should be free of coercion. There should be high quality investment and infrastructure because that’s what the region deserves.
And finally, New Zealand very clearly opposes the military relation in the region. We are very clear on this ... We also have a position that for security issues, we should be coming together to discuss rather than having situations where we don’t have a forum for which we can put those strong views and values.
Albanese said:
Australia’s position is very clear. That we are going through a period of strategic competition in the region, that perhaps it wasn’t the decade or more ago, but under Xi, China has changed its position. It is more forward leaning, it is more aggressive.
Australia’s position is that we will continue to engage and co-operate with China, but we will stand up for Australian values when we must. That’s a perfectly consistent position.
One of the things we are seeing is that democracies like Australia and New Zealand, when we engage in the region, there aren’t strings attached. We engaged because that is the right thing to do by lifting up the development of our neighbours, we have a responsibility to do that, and the more that we can co-operate on that, the greater the benefit will be ... What I want to see in the reset of the relationship is us working together in as many ways as possible because we have such common interests and common values and, indeed, common populations, quite often as well. There is such a seamless move between our two nations and that’s why this relationship is so important.
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World leaders relieved Australia now acting on climate, Albanese says
Albanese has said support for the change in Australia’s climate policy has consistently been the second point of conversation global leaders, including Pacific Island leaders, have raised with him immediately after congratulating him on his appointment:
Perhaps if I can say, I have had the opportunity to speak to Pacific Islands leaders, mainly on the phone, but also I have met with the prime minister of the Cook Islands and for every one of those discussions has begun, with two points. One, congratulations on my election and a sense of relief that Labor, the labour market government that I lead is now [is] part of the action when it comes to climate change. They have all expressed that support for the changed position that Australia has, whether it’s in the Pacific or when I have been meeting with Europe or President Biden, it’s been noticed around the world, not the least in our region, that Australia is now a participant in the constructive action that is required globally to deal with the challenge of climate change.
For us it’s also about the opportunity and are part of that is about investment in infrastructure. We have a $200m fund for infrastructure investment and climate change, that’s on top of the $525m of additional support for development assistance in the Pacific. Some of that will also have implications for acting on climate change because part of development assistance is assisting our Pacific island friends to transition, to have access to energy which is clean, which is sustainable, for them as well.
I believe that our changed position will be very much welcomed in the Pacific. We have a clear commitment that we have a mandate for, of a floor of 43% reduction in emissions by 2030, that something that will see domestically, a massive increase in the percentage of energy produced by renewables, and it is a position as well that enables us to engage on climate change in the region, not the least of which, and something we discussed this morning, is Australia’s bid to host a future conference of the parties on climate change, that’s something that we have said. We will host, in partnership with the Pacific, as a joint bed, and I’ll be having those discussions in Fiji. We intended to go ahead with the bed and how we participate and bring in Pacific Island states in order to ensure that they can be engaged and involved, is something that I believe will be welcomed.
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Ardern and Albanese asked about Solomon Islands’ security deal with China
The leaders are asked about how the Solomons and Beijing security pact will figure on the agenda of next week’s Pacific Island Forum.
Ardern said:
I’d reflect on the fact that within the declarations you have agreement amongst Pacific Island members that within it is a place for discussion around security agreements affecting the region.
While it is for the chair to determine the agenda, I expect this will be one of the issues are raised but it needs to be raised not just one Pacific Island Forum and range, let’s think about going forward, as these issues continue to be raised and continue to be an issue in our region, that we perhaps have a bit more of a structure and architecture around how as members when we meet relatively infrequently, how we make sure we are sharing with one another, discussing with these issues with one another but still maintaining our individual sovereignty.
Albanese said the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, has “indicated very positively” his relationship with Australia which will be discussed further at next week’s summit :
There is no doubt that security and security agreements will be a topic at the PIF if one of the reasons why I determined to attend, but in Australia’s national interest for me to do so.
I’ll also be putting very much Australia’s national interest and our concerns about some of the developments that have occurred in the region. We know we are living in an era of strategic competition in the region. Australia’s friendship and relations with a sovereign nations of the Pacific are ones of a friend, a friend that is historically played a role in the region of being a security partner of choice. We wish to remain a security partner of choice in the discussions that I’ve had, including with Prime Minister Sogavare.
He has indicated very positively, his relationship with Australia, it’s something that I look forward to discussing with all of the leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum next week.
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New Zealand and Australian ministers of foreign affairs, defence, finance and climate change to have annual bilateral engagement
Ardern is now speaking:
In the last meeting, we described it as an opportunity for a reset in the relationship, and it felt to me today that we’ve established a work program now that brings to life that reset, and I want to thank you for that.
First of all, you have now the commitment from both sides that we will have formal annual bilateral engagement between our ministers of foreign affairs, defence, finance and climate change.
And I don’t underestimate the value and importance and signal of the fact that we have brought the climate portfolio into those annual bilateral exchanges because it’s so obvious to us that there are ways that we can work together, not only between New Zealand and Australia, but together in the work that we want to do within our own region of the Pacific to play our part and step up our role.
Australia is already the source of significant direct investment into New Zealand around everything from waste management to hydrogen to wind and renewable energy generation, and here I think that there’s a role for us to play in exchanging ideas as we look for innovative solutions to the climate challenges.
Speaking about the change to citizenship of New Zealanders, she said:
We also discussed, as the prime minister has already acknowledged, the place in Australia of New Zealanders. We’ve long argued that New Zealanders are Australia’s best migrants, and I don’t say that lightly. It’s borne out by the facts. And what they contribute as taxpayers, which is a step above what you’ll see in the tax contribution from others.
And our ask has been for there to be a greater acknowledgement of the role that New Zealanders play here in Australia. The fact that we have – and you’ll see this in our communique – agreement that no New Zealander or Australian should be rendered permanently temporary – that is a step change in the way that we’ve previously seen New Zealanders treated here.
If you look at the census, New Zealanders tend to translate into citizenship at a rate of about 30%. For other nationalities in Australia, it’s closer to 60%, so that demonstrates some of the barriers that exist. And we’ve had a commitment to work through those issues together and we’ve set ourselves the ambitious timeline of having those proposals in time for Anzac Day 2023.
Ardern also said she was keen to hear from Albanese about his recent trip to the Ukraine.
The two leaders also discussed the Pacific, with Ardern saying they go into the Pacific Island Forum “with a full commitment to the Pacific as our region, eager to hear from our neighbours around how they see the geostrategic issues facing our region presently”.
What role we can play on the number one issue for our region, which is climate change, and equally how we can further strengthen the architecture around the Pacific Island Forum as a place that we bring issues – like, for instance, security-related matters. I look forward to the chance to continue that exchange and meet with our counterparts shortly.
Thank you again, prime minister. A very fruitful discussion on all accounts.
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Australia to consider expanding voting rights for New Zealanders
Anthony Albanese is currently speaking about the “reset” between Australia and New Zealand that has come out of his meeting with Jacinda Ardern today.
Albanese is outlining the new decisions that have come out of this morning’s “positive” discussion:
One is to have annual meetings between our economic ministers and our international ministers.
When we say our “economic ministers”, that includes climate change so, our treasurer and climate ministers, working on ways in which we can benefit from the innovation that will occur with the shift to clean-energy economies in our respective nations.
In foreign Affairs and also defence issues, there will be annual meetings there as well, and we look forward to next year’s discussion at leadership level, which, of course will be the 40th anniversary of the Closer Economic Relations Agreement between Australia and New Zealand.
We worked together on ways in which we have a seamless transition. We don’t want people to be temporary residents forever, and what we’ll do is we’ll work on ways of a pathway to citizenship with a timeline of AnzacDay 2023.
We know that there have been a range of issues raised relating to citizenship and we think those pathways and working through these issues so that people get more rights that are more consistent, whether it be Australians who have moved to New Zealand or New Zealanders moving to Australia – we want to work through these issues with all the implications that are there for full participation in our respective societies.
One of the issues that we’ll look at as well unilaterally in Australia is, in New Zealand, if you’re an Australian who has been resident for a year, you have voting rights in New Zealand, you’re able to participate fully in those processes.
So, as part of the normal review process that occurs after a federal election in Australia, we’ll be asking the joint standing committee on electoral matters to consider whether there’s a way to return to systems that have existed in the past of giving New Zealand people who are here in Australia, contributing to society, paying taxes, working, voting rights here in Australia as well.
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Flood threat remains in NSW’s Hunter region
Although the threats of flooding is easing, warnings remain in place especially around parts of the Hunter, which the Bureau of Meteorology said has reached record water levels.
9:05am, the back of the old Maitland Hospital. Silage destroyed @abcnews pic.twitter.com/ZJPQCYVjVi
— Bridget Murphy (@bridgetrose97) July 7, 2022
So great to pop by my old high school and se- OH. That’s not meant to be there. #HunterFloods #Maitland #NSWFloods @abcnews pic.twitter.com/17Bcw2zdni
— Bridget Murphy (@bridgetrose97) July 8, 2022
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Independent MP Andrew Wilkie says he believes Bernard Collaery’s prosecution should never have begun in the first place.
Mr Dreyfus QC is correct in saying Bernard Collaery's ‘prosecution should end.’ But the reality is it never should have begun. While someone should be answering to a court, it shouldn't have been the ASIS whistle-blower & his lawyer.https://t.co/g6vrn3GWxP#auspol #politas pic.twitter.com/HYbVvjeM0y
— Andrew Wilkie MP (@WilkieMP) July 7, 2022
Bernard Collaery may apply for costs
The ACT supreme court held a brief hearing on Friday to close off the prosecution of Bernard Collaery, which the attorney general Mark Dreyfus formally discontinued.
Collaery was set to be tried for allegedly leaking classified information to help his client – an ex-spy known only as Witness K – reveal a mission to spy on Timor-Leste, an impoverished ally, during negotiations over oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea in 2004. Collaery was fighting the charges.
On Friday Collaery’s counsel told the court that “there may be an application in relation to costs”, arguing that there had been “substantial resources” expended over several years in relation to the case.
The commonwealth’s barrister, Perry Herzfeld, said he had nothing to say on that issue unless and until an application for costs is made.
There was also a brief back and forth about how documents, including classified material, should be stored. Collaery’s counsel noted the ordinary course is for the court to keep complete records.
Justice David Mossop commented that the prospect of storing the documents “for eternity” was an “unattractive one”. He said the alternative, of returning documents to the attorney general on the condition they be returned to the court if requested “has downsides as well”, especially regarding how that might work in 10, 20 or 50 years’ time.
Justice Mossop vacated the trial, excused the director general of Asis from various subpoenas, and ordered that Collaery’s legal team make any application for costs by 15 July. Parties will discuss what should happen to the court file, and have liberty to apply for other orders before the case is formally closed.
I won’t allow this matter to linger.
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An update on that whale caught in the shark net on the Gold Coast:
The ABC is reporting that the whale has been rescued.
The whale was the fourth to be entangled on the Queensland coast over the past three weeks.
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NSW Rural Fire Service is assisting the SES in damage assessments as the clean-up effort begins as flood waters ease.
This morning, the #NSWRFS has several strike teams deployed in Sutherland District assisting the NSW SES conduct rapid damage assessments. Our crews will be moving throughout the area identifying hazards, speaking with local residents and documenting requests for assistance. pic.twitter.com/SwREFxlN0o
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) July 7, 2022
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Ramos-Horta wants Australia to help transform Timor-Leste into a ‘green economy’
Ramos-Horta wants to expand the relationship with Australia and discusses his hopes of the new government’s commitments to his country.
As president, I am determined to expand the relationship with Australia and with Indonesia. I’m travelling to Indonesia on 18 of this month, July, for several days’ meetings with President Joko Widodo and other leaders. And I look forward to expanding the relationship with Indonesia and I look forward to expanding the relationship with Australia.
Ramos-Horta says his hopes in relation to the new government are:
- Australian bilateral aid to Timor Leste significantly increase “several times above what it is today”.
- Australia grant more visas for Timorese to work in Australia. He said “the program is excellent. ...Let’s increase the number to at least 5,000 in the next few months, years or two.”
- He would like to see more Timorese studying in Australia, particularly vocational training and provide technical support, including human resources support to upgrade Timor-Leste’s vocational schools.
- Australia agree to receive Timorese patients in Darwin, as he said his country is currently spending millions of dollars sending patients overseas when Darwin is closer.
- Australia invest in Timor Leste’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
Why not ... turn Timor-Leste into a green economy? With strong support for us to restore our forestry, our lakes, our rivers, our seas, and produce clean energy for the country? Australia can do that over a period of 10 years, if there is political will in government, in federal government and state government, all working with us and other international partners
He said he would like to see “at least $250m of US, or $300m Australian every year” given to address extreme poverty, child malnutrition, “to help us be completely self-sufficient in agriculture, food security”.
I’m optimistic. prime minister Albanese is it very knowledgeable of Timor-Leste, very sensitive, foreign minister Penny Wong and all others in the Labor who I know 40 years relationship with Australia ...I have a great respect and affection for Australia and the people and the leaders. They’re all great people.
Updated
‘Returning the passport to Witness K would be tremendous,’ Ramos Horta says
Ramos-Horta says he hopes the “consistent” next step will be the return of Witness K’s passport:
We are very pleased with the fact that this case now is discontinuation and I would hope that consistent with that, that the passport of Witness K will be returned to him, so that he can travel at will within Australia or overseas whatever.
Witness K is another victim of this whole saga. If he had not received an order to bug a poor country, he would not have done so. He has not caused any harm to Australia’s region or international standing. Quite the contrary, his action was consistent with the Australian public, Australian society and their ethical and moral high standards.
So discontinuing the case of Bernard Collaery pleased us immensely and all Australians, and returning the passport to Witness K would be tremendous, would show Australia is taller, stronger, than a petty punishment of a good man who spoke his conscience, who didn’t agree with the bugging of a poor and impoverished country.
Ramos-Horta does not think any action should be taken against the authorities who initiated the bugging in East Timor:
No, I don’t think you should take any action against them. Let bygones be bygones. The case of Bernard Collaery is resolved. The case of Witness K could be resolved simply with returning his passport.
Then we all move on to strengthen, to expand, upgrade further Australia in the Timor-Leste relationship, for Timor-Leste, there are no two countries more important than Australia and Indonesia, our two closest neighbours.
Updated
José Ramos-Horta welcomes decision to drop prosecution of whistleblower lawyer Bernard Collaery
José Ramos-Horta, the president of Timor-Leste, is on the ABC discussing the attorney general’s decision to end the prosecution of Bernard Collaery:
I’m very pleased, and so are the Timorese leaders, with the decision by the Australian government, the prosecutor general Dreyfus.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese and foreign minister Penny Wong, to all I congratulate for these wise – this wise decision to drop the case, thus closing a bitter chapter in our 20-year relationship since Timor-Leste became independent.
What happened in the past on the part of Australia with the bugging of our offices, the spying on our government and during negotiations on oil revenues, maritime boundaries, talks, all of that, we leave it behind.
We now have a permanent maritime boundary with Australia and a median line. Our governments are pursuing conversations with Australia, with mining and oil operators to develop the Timor Sea, a great region. So that’s what matters now.
To make everything easier, a far better atmosphere of mutual trust. We are determined to move forward, to expand our relationship with Australia, a very important neighbour and friend of Timor-Leste.
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Albanese says he hopes UK finds new PM ‘quickly’
PM Anthony Albanese has said he hopes the United Kingdom will quickly organise a replacement for the outgoing Boris Johnson, saying it would be “not a great thing” if the transition process took a long period of time.
Johnson resigned last night but said he would stay on as British PM until a replacement was organised, a process which could take weeks. Speaking on Channel Nine’s Today program, Albanese said Australia would work with whoever followed Johnson:
Whoever comes through this process we’ll work with. I hope it’s a quick process, because I think the idea that you have a couple of months where there’s no one in charge, no prime minister with authority, is not a great thing for the UK.
But we’ll allow them to have their own political processes.
Asked again about his recent gifting of a Rabbitohs jersey to the outgoing British leader, Albanese talked up the diplomatic possibilities of South Sydney.
Well, there’s an endless supply of Bunnies jerseys and caps. There are no limits on our capacity to reach out.
The PM said Australia needed “to pick up our game in the Pacific”, as he prepares to attend the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji next week, specifically talking up his concern at the Solomon Islands inking a security deal with China.
We’ve been the preferred security and economic partner for a long period of time with our neighbours in the Pacific. My government’s changed position on climate change has been welcomed by all of these leaders. We need to continue to engage with them. We can’t afford a circumstance whereby Australia is not the preferred security partner in our own region.
Updated
An Australian has reached the men’s Wimbledon final for the first time in 19 years, since Mark Philippoussis in 2003.
Nick Kyrgios reached the final after Rafael Nadal was forced to withdraw from the mens’ semi-final which was scheduled for tonight due to an abdominal tear.
I’m not sure about you, but that’s my Friday night plans shot.
Updated
Victoria records nine Covid deaths and 629 people in hospital
There were 9,676 new cases in the last reporting period, and 37 people are in intensive care.
We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) July 7, 2022
Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.
More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAcOZP#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/Td5khYGLqb
NSW records seven Covid deaths and 1,901 people in hospital
There were 12,768 new cases in the last reporting period, and 60 people are in intensive care.
Fury over government cuts to telehealth and pharmacy home delivery
Chris Moy, the vice president of the Australian Medical Association, has expressed his disappointment online in relation to the government’s cuts to telehealth and pharmacy home delivery.
Unfortunate that FIRST MAJOR PANDEMIC DECISION by @Mark_Butler_MP & new Gov is WRONG one re CUTS TO TELEHEALTH & also support for medication deliveries. Is it just not listening, or same bad advice from Dept (e.g. vaccine purchases, RATs, vax indemnity)? https://t.co/XRwmV5m8Tc
— AMA VICE PRESIDENT (@ama_vice) July 7, 2022
Updated
Big crowds are being seen once again at Melbourne and Brisbane airports this morning as school holidays end.
My colleague Elias Visontay has a particularly alarming story this morning about the passengers with disabilities who say they are falling through the cracks of the current wave of chaos at Australian airports.
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Anger over shark nets after another whale gets trapped
A third whale entanglement this week in south-east Queensland has sparked fresh anger about the use of shark nets harming non-target species.
The entanglement is off Coolangatta and a rescue effort is currently under way.
On Tuesday a hump back whale was rescued from the same net, the ABC reports.
#BREAKING: A whale is trapped in shark nets off Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast.
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) July 7, 2022
This the third entanglement in south-east Queensland this week. #9News pic.twitter.com/MyWyWMI9Mm
FIFTH whale entangled in useless shark nets in just four weeks. @TerriReports @khaledkhawa #NetsOutNow https://t.co/X59lKBq0ze
— Imogen Scott (@imogenscott) July 7, 2022
Updated
NSW train saga back at industrial umpire
The NSW government will square off against the rail workers union before the industrial umpire as train services continue to operate on a reduced timetable, AAP reports.
The parties will appear before the Fair Work Commission for the second day today after a long-running dispute related to the government’s plan to bring a new Korean-built fleet onto the network sparked industrial action.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union Union says there are safety issues with the stock and wants the government to address its concerns.
The government has gone to the commission to try to stop the union’s protected industrial action, which has been taking place all week, after losing a similar bid at an interim hearing on Tuesday.
Transport for NSW said there will be fewer Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink Intercity network services on Friday and commuters should plan ahead and allow for extra travel time.
The union says its industrial action, which includes bans on transit officers issuing fines on public transport and driving a small number of foreign-made trains, has had little impact on services.
Unions NSW has condemned the government’s handling of the train dispute, noting it’s facing other actions by public sector workers:
Premier [Dominic] Perrottet is playing the victim saying the strikes are politically motivated.
Striking nurses, midwives, teachers, paramedics, child protection workers, cleaners, rail workers, bus drivers, road workers and many more essential workers don’t play politics.
Updated
George Brandis questioned about Julian Assange’s extradition
George Brandis, the former high commissioner to the UK and professor of national security at ANU, is on ABC Radio.
He is asked about whether more needs to be done on Australia’s part to advocate against Julian Assange’s extradition to the US:
You don’t lobby judges. Constitutional law 101 is you don’t seek to influence judges.
Updated
‘I want politics to be cleaned up,’ Albanese says of new code of conduct for ministers
Albanese is asked about why he believes there was the need for the new code of conduct he introduced overnight for the ministers of his government:
Transparency and the blind trust, so-called, aren’t really blind. We had controversy after controversy from the former government. You can do the great job of being a minister in the Australian government – that should be your focus – not worrying about your personal finances into the future and there inevitably will be conflicts raised, issues raised. We had the extraordinary circumstances of the former attorney general having a so-called blind trust to raise money for his legal case. That really exposed the weakness in the system, because how did people know where to donate to this so-called line trust. I mean, it just failed the credibility test and I want politics to be cleaned up. That’s why my government will establish an anti-corruption commission and that’s why we will have strict adherence to the code of conduct.
Updated
We will work with whoever the UK prime minister is, Albanese says
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is speaking on Chanel 7.
Albanese has affirmed the change in leadership in the UK following Boris Johnson’s resignation won’t affect the Aukus agreement
We have close personal links, defence ties, close business ties and it is absolutely critical that that continue in a seamless fashion. I’m certain that it will. Our country is so close.
Albanese is asked if the South Sydney Rabbitohs jersey he gifted Johnson was in hindsight a waste of a good jersey:
South Sydney will normally make him more resilient and make you last a lot longer and certainly we went through some tough times and Boris has gone through a tough time at the moment so the South Sydney jersey will no doubt continue to be put to good use.
Look, we will work with whoever the UK prime minister is after they go through this process. Our relationship isn’t just one between individuals, although that is important and it was important that I meet Boris Johnson as UK prime minister.
Updated
Jim Chalmers to make address on ‘wellbeing budget’
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is due to make an address at the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum in Sydney today about how he wants to “change the conversation” when it comes to the federal budget, with a greater focus on wellbeing.
AAP reports that Chalmers is planning to include a similar statement to New Zealand’s “wellbeing budget” in the Albanese government’s first economic blueprint to be delivered on 25 October.
The New Zealand model, which Chalmers will discuss with his Kiwi counterpart Grant Robertson on Friday, goes beyond gross domestic product to look at four “capitals” – human, natural, social, and financial/physical capital – as well as 12 “domains” of wellbeing, such as housing and social connections.
He will say:
At a time of record debt and budget pressures and cost-of-living pressures, value for money is essential and we judge it by what it means for the right kind of growth, including sustainable incomes growth.
That begins with measuring what matters, not instead of traditional economic indicators but in addition to.
I’ve asked Treasury to make measuring what matters, and an Australian approach to wellbeing, a focus of the budget in October.
Former World Bank chief economist and Nobel laureate economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz told the ABC this week Chalmers should ensure taxpayers’ money is “used to improve the wellbeing of the people of Australia”.
That’s what money is about. That’s what the economy is about. The economy is supposed to serve the people, not the people the economy. We sometimes get that confused.
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NSW flooding risk remains with 40,000 under evacuation orders
The rains may be receding in New South Wales, but the threat of flooding and landslips remains, with tens of thousands of residents still under evacuation orders, AAP reports.
About 700 NSW residents called for help overnight as flood waters rose and heavy rain lashed the state’s Hunter and mid-north coast regions.
Authorities are looking at winding back evacuation orders and warnings in some communities.
But the State Emergency Service chief superintendent, Ashley Sullivan, said 40,000 people remain under the 69 evacuation orders still in place.
“There’s a lot of risk out there and it is not over yet,” he told the Seven Network on Friday morning.
“We have a few days, if not a few weeks, left.”
Hazardous surf and marine wind warnings were also still in place for parts of the NSW coast.
The BoM said on Thursday major flooding was likely to occur at Maitland, in the lower Hunter, into Friday despite the rain clearing for much of the state.
Further south, the clean-up has already begun with the premier, Dominic Perrottet, and the NSW Emergency Services Minister, Steph Cooke, visiting Camden, one of the areas worst affected in the latest flooding.
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Richard Marles defends decision to drop Collaery prosecution
Marles is asked if he thinks China’s effort to arrange a meeting on the last day of the Pacific Islands Forum is an attempt to undermine the summit. Marles answers:
China can explain itself.
ABC highlighted that Anote Tong had raised concerns about the meeting’s timing.
Marles also said that Australia is calling on China to use it’s influence with Russia to help end the conflict in Ukraine:
That’s the message we need to be giving every country and that includes Russia.. we’re calling on every country to do that and that includes china.
Marles said the government supports the attorney general Mark Dreyfus’s decision to drop prosecutions against Bernard Collaery.
Marles said he does not believe the decision undermines national secrets.
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Richard Marles says Boris Johnson’s resignation doesn’t change Aukus
The deputy prime minister and defence minister, Richard Marles, is on ABC Radio and says Boris Johnson stepping down doesn’t change the Aukus agreement or Australia’s relationship with Britain or Australian/UK free trade agreement.
He is asked about Penny Wong’s meeting with her counterpart in Beijing.
Marles says China is Australia’s “source of greatest security anxiety” but as its largest trading partner “it’s a relationship we value.”
ABC is asking Marles about whether Australia will need to see sanctions dropped and Australian journalist Cheng Lei released to be assured the reset is genuine, Marles says he “wouldn’t frame the meeting in those terms.”
Marles is emphasising “the power of diplomacy,” but says Australia will emphaise the importance of global rules based order and human rights.
I can’t promise the power of diplomacy will deliver anything specific... what is important is making sure we are true to our national interests.
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Good morning!
Anthony Albanese will meet with the New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, today with the two leaders tipped to discuss how their nations can work together on climate change, including electric vehicle purchasing arrangements and more funding for the Pacific.
Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, is due to meet her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Bali today on the sidelines of the G20, which will be the first direct conversation between foreign ministers since 2019.
The government has announced a new code of conduct that will require ministers to divest any shares they own, only allowing them to keep those in superannuation and putting an end to blind trust arrangements.
The New South Wales flood threat continues to ease but there are still areas on the mid-north coast on alert this morning, as the clean up continues in western Sydney.
I’m Natasha May and I’ll be updating you on all the latest this Friday morning. If you see something that you reckon ought to be on the blog, you can catch me by email at natasha.may@theguardian.com or on Twitter at @natasha__may.
Brownie points and eternal gratitude if you can provide any animal content as delightful as yesterday’s story about a seal pup far from home.
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