What we learned today, Monday 7 April
Thanks for following along on the blog today.
Here is a wrap of the day’s biggest stories:
Prime minister, Anthony Albanese, visited Hobart to mark the beginning of the “Run for the voice”, which aims to further encourage support from across the political spectrum. Former federal Liberal MP Pat Farmer began his 14,400km journey around Australia in support of the voice, which will take around six months.
Meanwhile, the no campaign for the voice to parliament launched its campaign with the slogan “don’t know, vote no”.
The inquiry into the handling of the Bruce Lehrmann case held an initial public hearing in Canberra today.
Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, spoke on the upcoming budget due in three weeks’ time, saying it will forecast for 2023 and 2024 “the weakest two years of global growth in the last two decades apart from the depths of the GFC and of Covid”.
Speaking at the Press Club, foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said it is Australia’s job “to lower the heat on any potential conflict while increasing pressure on others to do the same”.
During her speech, Wong said former prime minister, Paul Keating’s, previous press club comments “diminished his legacy”.
In a statement, Keating responded that he “never expected more than platitudes” from Wong, and that a Labor government has never been “so bereft of policy or policy ambition”.
The Senate education legislation committee has recommended that the Greens bill to abolish indexation of higher education student loans and raise the threshold of income before repayments start be rejected by the Senate.
Updated
Minister orders inquiry into mental health commission
An investigation has been launched into claims of dysfunction and bullying at the National Mental Health Commission, as reported by AAP.
A report published in The Saturday Paper set out a series of allegations relating to the commission, which was set up just over a decade ago to provide policy advice on mental health.
Health minister, Mark Butler, said on Monday he had initiated an independent investigation into the claims, and the commission’s CEO, Christine Morgan, had voluntarily stepped aside.
The investigation will consider whether the matters raised in the report could be substantiated, as well as conduct a “culture and capability review” to ensure the commission is able to provide a safe working environment and has the capability to perform its role.
There will also be a “functional and efficiency review” to ensure the commission can be financially sustainable.
The independent investigation will be led by Professor Deb Picone, an experienced health administrator.
The nation’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Ruth Vine, has been appointed interim CEO of the commission.
Butler said:
As minister I take allegations of this nature seriously and will prioritise ensuring a safe working environment for staff.
Updated
