What we learned today, Saturday 3 December
We’ll close this blog now. Thanks all for your comments, correspondence and company.
As we go, a summary of today’s major developments:
The ACT director of public prosecutions, Shane Drumgold, has expressed serious concern about the “potentially unlawful” sharing of police material about a still-hospitalised Brittany Higgins, revealing he has previously lodged a related complaint and that there are active investigations under way.
The Australian-born WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, who is battling extradition from Britain to the US, where he is wanted on criminal charges, has submitted an appeal to the European court of human rights, the court confirmed.
A senior UN official has said he is “alarmed” a peaceful Australian climate protester has been jailed for 15 months – and refused bail before her appeal – amid global concern at her “disproportionate” punishment.
The Socceroos play Argentina in a few short hours. Get up early!
Updated
Penny Wong and Richard Marles to travel for talks with US and Japan
The deputy prime minister and minister for defence, Richard Marles, and minister for foreign affairs, Penny Wong, will travel to the US and Japan next week.
The Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (Ausmin) will take place on 6 December, ahead of the Australia-Japan Foreign Minister and Defence Ministerial Consultations (2+2) on 9 December.
“Australia is committed to working closely with the United States and Japan to foster an Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, and in which sovereignty is respected,” the ministers said in a joint statement.
Wong said the US was Australia’s vital security ally and closest global partner.
“US engagement in the Indo-Pacific makes an indispensable contribution to regional prosperity and strategic balance.”
Wong said Australia’s relationship with Japan was more comprehensive and more important than ever.
“Australia, the United States and Japan are partnering on shared priorities in our region, including climate change, economic development and security – helping create a region that is stable, prosperous and respectful of sovereignty.”
Updated
