What we learned, Friday 9 August
And that’s where we’ll leave you this evening. It’s been a big week. Here’s what we learned today:
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has responded to former PM Paul Keating’s comments about Aukus overnight, saying, “The world has changed between 1996 and 2024”. Taiwan’s foreign ministry has also blasted comments made by Keating in which he referred to Taiwan as “Chinese real estate”.
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, has insisted nuclear waste would not end up in Australia, despite the new Aukus agreement allowing for the transfer of nuclear material to Australia as part of the process of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.
The workplace relations minister, Murray Watt, confirmed he will introduce a bill allowing him to determine whether an administrator should take charge of the construction division of the CFMEU.
Day six of the defamation trial launched by Liberal senator Linda Reynolds against her former staffer Brittany Higgins commenced, with Reynolds continuing to be cross-examined.
Victoria’s legionnaires’ outbreak has “passed the peak” according to the state’s chief health officer, with 107 cases and five suspected infections.
The Rupert Murdoch-backed media conglomerate News Corp will consider offers for its pay television platform Foxtel, which includes the Kayo and Binge streaming services.
The federal court’s Justice Michael Lee has encouraged the media to challenge suppression orders more in the interests of open justice.
Defence troops should only used as a last resort during natural disasters and their role should be scaled back, an inquiry has found.
Former Victorian Liberal MP Matt Bach could be forced to fly back to Australia from the UK to give evidence in the defamation trial between Moira Deeming and opposition leader John Pesutto.
And most public school teachers don’t see a future in the profession, with seven in 10 revealing they don’t think they’ll stay in the job until retirement.
Thanks so much for your company today. Drop by for more over the weekend, and we’ll have Politics Live back on Monday. Look after yourselves until then.
Updated
Linda Reynolds returns to the stand
Linda Reynolds is back on the witness stand facing cross-examination. After cross-examination finishes, questioning will return to Reynolds’ lawyer, Martin Bennett, and then the senator’s time on the stand will conclude.
But we’re not there yet – we could be in for a later finish than usual.
Updated
