What we learned: Friday, 9 June
With that, we will wrap the blog for the evening. Enjoy the rest of your Friday, whether you’re hitting the town or tucking in with a good book (like myself).
Here were today’s major developments:
Lawyers for Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson have made explosive allegations that a “calculated” and “concerted” media campaign using restricted court material is being waged to pressure and dissuade witnesses from giving evidence in the defamation trial brought by Bruce Lehrmann.
It comes as, on Friday evening, the network issued an apology to Jacinta Nampijinpa Price following disparaging comments made by Wilkinson in leaked audio reported in the media.
The Northern Territory’s four land councils have declared their support of a First Nations voice in the upcoming referendum, handing the Barunga Voice Declaration to the minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has defended Katy Gallagher amid the opposition’s allegations she misled parliament over what she knew in connection to the Brittany Higgins allegations.
Greens leader Adam Bandt has decried “disgusting political mudslinging”, while independent MP Zali Steggall said the opposition’s attacks on Higgins were “vile”.
A UK high court judge has rejected all eight grounds of Julian Assange’s appeal against his extradition order to the US on espionage charges, provoking calls from independent Andrew Wilkie for the prime minister to get on the phone with Joe Biden to push for his release.
And the man who led Victoria’s health response throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, chief health officer Brett Sutton, has resigned.
Updated
More than 300 million native animals are killed by cats in Australia each year as owners continue to allow their pets to roam free, AAP reports.
The number of deaths represents a 34 per cent rise since the pandemic pet boom. Wildlife advocates are calling on owners to take greater responsibility for their cats to curb the losses.
Almost three in four allow them to freely roam, with more than half a billion mostly native animals preyed upon each year, according to research by the Biodiversity Council, Invasive Species Council and Birdlife Australia.
Darwin University Professor and ecologist Sarah Legge Charles said 323 million of Australia’s native animals were killed by domestic cats in the past year, up from 241 million in 2020.
The Biodiversity Council spokeswoman said the numbers are an alarm bell for governments to enact responsible pet ownership laws, including 24/7 cat curfews.
Cats have played a leading role in most of Australia’s 34 mammal extinctions since 1788 and are central to the ongoing decline of more than 200 threatened native species.
Ten apologises to Jacinta Nampijinpa Price over leaked audio
Network Ten has offered a private apology to the Nationals senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, the network has confirmed with Guardian Australia.
It follows leaked audio reported in the media of the Ten host Lisa Wilkinson making disparaging comments about the Indigenous woman’s preselection in a private meeting with Brittany Higgins and her partner, David Sharaz, including Wilkinson struggling to pronounce the senator’s name.
Price posted to social media on Friday morning, calling the revelations an “affront” to Australians and demanded an apology from Wilkinson and the Channel 10 producer Angus Llewellyn, who also contributed comments in the leaked audio.
The private apology, made on behalf of Paramount Australia – the company that owns the network - is believed to have been accepted by Price.
Updated
Greens oppose changes to acts for Aukus submarines
The Greens had a dissenting report on the amendments to the acts in the development of the Aukus nuclear-powered submarines, which echoed other opponents of the changes. Their report said:
There are environmental, health, security and social risks associated with every facet of the nuclear industry. These risks disproportionately impact First Nations peoples and their lands.
Nuclear weapons, nuclear accidents or attacks on reactors all pose unacceptable risks of catastrophic consequences for humans and the environment.
There is no effective way to address nuclear disaster, therefore nuclear weapons should be eliminated and nuclear energy production should be phased out. Nuclear power is also not a safe, clean, timely, economic or practical solution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
Updated
Nuclear submarines a step closer after barrier removed
A barrier to Australia’s plans for nuclear-powered submarines is poised to be removed, prompting warning of “catastrophic consequences” after a bipartisan committee recommended legislative change.
Amendments to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act will exempt the submarines from the existing moratorium on civil nuclear power.
It will allow the moratorium to continue, and for the existing regulatory bodies to oversee the start of the Aukus submarine program, before an official nuclear submarine regulatory body is set up.
The foreign affairs, defence and trade committee recommended the Defence Legislation Amendment (Naval Nuclear Propulsion) bill be passed, saying in its report:
The committee notes that this bill represents the first legislative step in building the legal architecture required to support Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed nuclear powered submarines and understands further tranches of legislation are forthcoming.
Updated
Liberals accuse government of ‘dangerous complacency’ over foreign interference
The Liberal senator James Paterson, who participated in the inquiry, accused the Labor government of “dangerous complacency” on the foreign interference issue, and again called for public funding of the campaigns:
Without these authoritative sources, the Albanese Government is creating an information vacuum that malign foreign actors will seek to exploit against Australia’s interests, creating the perfect environment for mis- and disinformation to proliferate.
The Albanese government needs to urgently correct its course to protect the integrity of the referendum. The Coalition will support measures to mitigate the risk of foreign interference in the referendum, including through the establishment and provision of formal ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaign entities.
Updated
Labor less concerned over foreign interference on voice
Staying with the report into referendum administration, the Labor senators on the committee waved away concerns raised by the Liberal party, expressing confidence in current foreign interference safeguards.
“The government believes that non-government organisations should lead the campaigns, and that no public funding should be allocated to either campaign,” Labor senators wrote in a dissenting report.
The government take threats posed by foreign interference, misinformation and disinformation to the integrity of electoral processes, including referendum processes very seriously. This was borne out by the considerable amount of evidence the Committee received from a range of government agencies about the measures that are currently in place to address these threats.
Updated
Voice referendum a ‘high value target’ for foreign interference: Liberals
The Liberal members wrote that while a foreign actor may not necessarily have a particular interest in the referendum passing or failing, they claimed:
It is more likely that a malign foreign actor would seek to profit by exacerbating existing tensions within Australian society as a means of undermining social cohesion and national unity, and of harming Australia’s democratic institutions and processes in the eyes of the public.
The report quoted an academic that a referendum would be “high value target for a hostile state interference campaign”.
The Liberal report claimed the government wasn’t doing enough to specifically prepare for foreign interference threats against the referendum, beyond what it called a “business as usual” to combat ongoing threats.
The Liberal senators claimed that establishing (and funding) official campaign entities for the yes and no sides would help alleviate some concerns, by setting up official sources of information.
Updated
Liberals claim voice referendum could subvert democracy
Liberal senators have claimed there is “a clear risk” that the Indigenous voice referendum “could be used as another vehicle to subvert Australia’s democracy”, raising concerns about potential foreign interference in the looming national vote.
The opposition is again relitigating its previously rebuffed demands that the government provide public funding for the yes and no campaigns in the referendum, a measure the Coalition claims would help avert some risk of misinformation and disinformation in the campaign.
But government members of a Senate committee, which reported back this afternoon, have again rejected that concern and said Australia’s current foreign interference measures are adequate.
The Senate’s finance committee held an inquiry into administration of the referendum. Previous public hearings featured the electoral commission and integrity experts. The committee reported back today, with the majority report (written by Liberal members of the committee) raising foreign interference concerns.
Updated
Wilkie ‘not surprised’ about leaked text messages on Higgins
Turning to the story of the day on text messages leaked in Newscorp papers about Brittany Higgins, Wilkie says he’s “not surprised” there might have been “people talking to people” before allegations were made public.
On revelations Senator Katy Gallagher may have had knowledge prior to the allegations being released, he says:
The aspect of this that troubles me is whether or not a government senator may have misled the parliament. Now, I can’t possibly know whether Senator Gallagher did or did not mislead the parliament, but that’s the allegation that’s out there, and it’s a very serious allegation.
I would hope, with parliament sitting in the next couple of weeks, that that can be explored in the parliament, and we can find the truth of the matter.
He says a personal explanation would bring “some comfort” to people concerned.
Otherwise this will just drag on, like so many political sagas do. Just drag on for day after day, week after week, causing enormous grief for everyone. I think this should be dealt with quick smart.
Updated
Wilkie has support in the Greens camp:
Julian Assange could be extradited to the US within days after his appeal was just rejected by the UK court. It is time for the Australian Government to immediately act, to ensure the pursuit of Assange ends now, before his life is further endangered #auspol
— Senator Jordon Steele-John (@SenatorJordon) June 9, 2023
‘US president can intervene at any time’: Wilkie
Wilkie says his “reading of the tea leaves” is both the Australian, British and US governments are “all over” the drawn out process with Assange.
I think all three governments want to see an end to this, but a sense, and I’m just offering my personal opinion now … that there is in Washington a sense that the justice process must be allowed to run its course, but of course the US president can intervene at any time and let that justice process be halted, that is what we’re hoping we’ll still occur at this 11th hour.
Updated
Wilkie urges PM to call Joe Biden about Assange’s release
MP has urged Anthony Albanese to pick up the phone and make a “personal plea” to the US president for Assange’s release.
I applaud Anthony Albanese and also Peter Dutton … they have both now very clearly stated publicly that they think this matter has gone on long enough and it should be brought to an end, but regrettably, such statements have not resolved the matter.
With possibly only weeks to go before the extradition might occur, you know, frankly I would like to see Anthony Albanese speak to US president Joe Biden on the telephone, and make a personal plea from one ally to another, and we do have a special relationship, we do have more influence in Washington than some people might realise.
Wilkie said Assange’s imprisonment was a “terrible injustice” for a man who had helped reveal “hard evidence” of US war crimes.
I will take this opportunity again to reach out to the Australian prime minister and plead with him, please do more, do whatever you can, please pick up the phone.
Updated
‘Very disappointing’: MP Andrew Wilkie on Julian Assange’s failed appeal
Meanwhile, the Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie has been appearing on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing amid renewed calls for the federal government to ramp up its diplomatic efforts to free the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange.
Wilkie, the co-convener of the Bring Julian Assange Home parliamentary group, said the news overnight that Assange had failed in his application to appeal against his imprisonment was “very disappointing”.
His legal team has indicated they will urgently make one more application, but we are just about out of time here. The reality is that if that last appeal is unsuccessful next week, then Julian could be on a plane to the United States in as little as a few weeks … there he will go and face court for 17 espionage charges, and other charge related to use of computers, and if he’s convicted in the US, he faces a maximum imprisonment of 175 years.
Wilkie said the next application in a British court was likely to be the last.
Updated
‘Major step forward’: packaging reforms gather support
Peak bodies have come out in support of the reforms to packaging announced by the environment minister this afternoon.
The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) applauded environment ministers for their decision to regulate packaging design, with the aim of achieving targets for reuse, recyclability, and recycled content.
CEO Suzanne Toumbourou:
A stronger regulatory framework, which promotes circular design and ensures robust end markets for recycled materials, is essential for a sustainable recycling system.
The World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature Australia said the new rules would have a significant on the nation’s plastic pollution crisis.
Kate Noble, WWF Australia’s ‘No Plastics in Nature’ policy manager, said it was a “major step forward” for the war on waste and move to a circular economy.
It’s a commitment that will be welcomed by Australians who’ve been so disappointed by the collapse of our soft plastic recycling scheme.
It’s heartening to see governments coming together to finally take action on this issue and listen to Australians who’ve made it very clear they want companies to take responsibility for the packaging and waste they produce.
Updated
Meanwhile, in the NT:
Today, the elected representatives of the 4 major land councils in the NT, many from the remotest communities, came together to issue the Barunga Voice Declaration. It calls on all Australians to vote Yes in the referendum later this year. @yes23au #Yes23 pic.twitter.com/sFRELcl2ri
— Thomas Mayo (@thomasmayo23) June 9, 2023
Three men charged over Melbourne burglaries
Three Irish nationals have been charged over a string of burglaries worth more than $25,000 in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
Police allege the three men, who entered Australia in the past three months, used sophisticated measures to unsuccessfully hide their tracks in six separate burglaries.
Methods included splashing cleaning fluid on the floors and furniture at targeted properties, police allege.
More than $25,000 of property was allegedly stolen including large amounts of cash, jewellery, and designer handbags.
On Thursday, detectives arrested the three men, all with no fixed address, at a car park in Box Hill.
They were charged with aggravated burglary, six counts of burglary, theft, handle stolen goods and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
One of the men arrested is a 29-year-old Blackburn man, who is wanted by police in the UK for his alleged involvement in a series of burglaries across England.
Victoria Police have referred the matter to UK police and relevant immigration authorities.
One of the men arrested is a 29-year-old Blackburn man, who is wanted by police in the UK for his alleged involvement in a series of burglaries across England.
Victoria police have referred the matter to UK police and relevant immigration authorities.
The men will appear at Ringwood magistrates court on 3 July.
Updated
Government to regulate textile industry, waste collection
At today’s meeting of environment ministers it was also agreed regulation on the textile and clothing sector would be introduced by mid-next year if the sector didn’t take responsibility for waste, and that a national roadmap would be established for consistent kerbside collection rules.
Ministers also agreed to support “priority renewables and critical minerals projects” to “balance” protecting the environment with “faster, clearer decisions”, and to take action on threatened and invasive species.
Updated
Packaging to be subject to strict new rules
The federal minister for the environment, Tanya Plibersek, has announced packaging will soon be subject to strict new government rules aimed at cutting waste and placing greater responsibility on packaging companies.
The agreement was struck today at a nation meeting with respective environment ministers.
Under the changes, mandatory packaging design standards and targets will be introduced, including for recycled products, to address harmful chemicals used in food packaging.
Plibersek noted more than 70% of the environmental impacts of an item are locked in at the design stage, before products are bought, used or disposed of.
Plibersek:
We need to dramatically reduce packaging waste, and the harmful chemicals that destroy our environment. We see packaging in the guts of dead birds, floating in our oceans, destroying nature as it takes generations to degrade.
Until now, governments have ignored calls to step in and set mandatory targets. While some in the industry have stepped up to voluntarily reduce their impact, it’s just not enough. We’re changing that.
Updated
Sydney police officer charged after domestic violence inquiry
A south Sydney police officer has been charged after a domestic violence investigation by the professional standards command.
Earlier this month, officers commenced an investigation into an alleged domestic violence incident involving the serving police officer, who is attached to a specialist command, while he was off duty.
Following inquiries, the 48-year-old male senior constable was arrested today and taken to Sutherland police station, charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault.
He was granted bail and will appear before Sutherland local court on 14 June.
Police say his employment status is under review.
Updated
Sutton ‘not leaving yet’
I’ve got a few months with transition work and lots of thanks from me and my team.
He says his garden has gone “a bit crazy” and hopes he will be able to get it back on track before starting the new role at the CSIRO.
Updated
Sutton says while he’s not standing up at press conferences every day, as he did in 2020 and 2021, he says Covid-19 is still out there and people should continue to protect themselves:
I’m still of the view that there’s a lot of benefit in informing people to protect themselves ... 50, 60 people die every week, I don’t think we can prevent all those deaths from occurring but I know we can pick up those booster vaccines, continue to test, and prescribe antivirals as required.
Sutton memoirs unlikely
If you were really excited for the release of “Brett Sutton: The Man Behind The Mask” to drop in time for Christmas 2023 you may need to steady your expectations.
Reporter:
Will you write a tell all one day?
Sutton:
I don’t think so, the last three and a half years were a bit too much of a blur to recall it all.
Updated
Asked what BS annoyed him the most, Sutton says the list is too big.
‘It nearly crushed me’: Sutton on Covid
Asked how he handled the pressure during Covid, Sutton replies:
It’ll be a relief to be away from that. I accept that in a crisis that has to sit on your shoulders, there’s no escaping that. I was in the midst of that beast for a long time. Victoria carried the heavy load in that regard. On the one hand, it’s helped me to grow personally and professionally, on the other hand it nearly crushed me and it certainly weighed upon my family life and I hope they never have to carry that again … what a rock for me to have the family I do have and an enormous thanks to them for carrying me through those times.
Asked what nearly crushed him, he says it was a “cumulative effect” of everything during the pandemic:
It was the 16-hour days, sprinting for six months without a day off, throw in the vitriol and the death threats and the intrusions and the kind of bargae of lies that you see, especially on social media … accountability is appropriate … but the BS that is sometimes spouted out there is quite extraordinary sometimes.
Updated
If you, like me, were in Victoria during the time of our lockdowns, it is vaguely alarming to see Sutton on the television again (nothing personal, of course).
Genuinely surprised to learn Brett Sutton was still Vic CHO. Feels like the bloke has been on 1.5 years time off in lieu.
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) June 9, 2023
But he’s off to greener pastures!
We're delighted to share that Professor Brett Sutton has been appointed our new Director of Health and Biosecurity.
— CSIRO (@CSIRO) June 9, 2023
Brett joins us from his current role as @VictorianCHO where he has provided expert advice on the health and wellbeing of Victorians.
More: https://t.co/tyt7gJPyj0 pic.twitter.com/dBkqZzNk6V
Updated
Victoria ‘did pretty well’ framing Covid as airborne, Brett Sutton says
Brett Sutton is holding a press conference in Melbourne after announcing this morning he will be stepping down as Victoria’s chief health officer. Asked if he has any regrets, he says:
There shouldn’t be a person in the world who’s been part of the public health response who wouldn’t reflect on things they would do differently .. I am absolutely no different in that regard … would I do things differently with the knowledge I have of the virus now? . … absolutely I would, but my intent was always protecting the health and wellbeing of Victorians.
He says Victoria “did pretty well” in acknowledging Covid was an airborne virus early but could have acted even faster:
The lessons on ventilation, opening doors and windows … hepa filters that we’ve installed in schools …I wish the world had come to that earlier. I’m glad Victoria came to it when it did, wouldn’t it have been great if we had it … from the get go.
Updated
Many thanks Natasha May for keeping us informed this week. I’ll be with you for the rest of this fine Friday afternoon – and what better way to spend it than quenched with the latest news.
Updated
That’s me signing off for the week. You’re in the wonderful hands of Caitlin Cassidy!
Northern Land Council stands strong with Barunga Voice Declaration
The Northern Land Council chair, Samuel Bush-Blanasi, said the Aboriginal people of the NT were standing strong together in the Barunga Voice Declaration. He said:
We speak for our clans, communities and our families, asking all Australians to support us and vote yes so we can finally be respected as equals.
The declaration comes 35 years after the original 1988 Barunga Statement, which called for the recognition of Aboriginal rights and culture and was presented to the former prime minister Bob Hawke by the then NLC chair Yunupingu and CLC chair Wenten Rubuntja.
The land council members are the elected representatives of tens of thousands of residents of remote communities, town camps and towns across the Territory.
The Central Land Council chair, Matthew Palmer, said most Aboriginal people across the country support a First Nations voice. He said:
Please don’t let the naysayers in Canberra confuse you.
Support us by voting yes.
Updated
Barunga Voice Declaration rallies yes vote
The Northern Territory’s four land councils have declared their support of a First Nations voice in the upcoming referendum.
The Barunga Voice Declaration has been handed to the minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, at the Barunga festival being held this weekend.
Today the four Northern Territory Land Councils – Tiwi, Northern, Central and Anindilyakwa – issued the Barunga Voice Declaration.
— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) June 9, 2023
35 years on from the historic Barunga Statement was given to Bob Hawke, this declaration calls for Australians to say yes to the Voice. pic.twitter.com/mleT9tEk4K
The declaration calls:
For the recognition of our peoples in our still young constitution by enshrining our voice to the parliament and executive government, never to be rendered silent with the stroke of a pen again.
With AAP
Updated
One in 10 Covid-19 fines in Victoria paid
The state’s attorney general, Jaclyn Symes, has told the public accounts and estimates committee budget estimates hearing that 50,150 Covid-19 fines have been issued, totalling more than $100m but only 5,500 have been paid in full. About 3,500 are part of ongoing payment plans and 14,319 remain unpaid past their due date.
Some 3,700 people have taken their fines to court and 11,800 fines have been cancelled by enforcement agencies.
Updated
Adam Bandt decries 'disgusting political mudslinging' over Brittany Higgins
Adam Bandt has commented on contention over whether Labor figures were aware of Brittany Higgins’s complaint before she went public.
He said:
The disgusting political mudslinging over Brittany Higgins’ brave decision to speak out sends the wrong message to every woman …
Women should be able to come forward without worrying that their text messages will be splashed across the media.
Nothing we have seen so far suggests the need for an inquiry or referral to the NACC.
Updated
Warnings have been issued for the Sevens Creeks, downstream of Euroa to “prepare now” for moderate flooding at Kialla West on Saturday morning.
WATCH & ACT - RIVERINE FLOOD - Prepare Now
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) June 9, 2023
Incident Location: the Sevens Creeks downstream of Euroa
Issue Date: Friday 09 June 2023, 01:55 pm
Next Update: Friday 09 June 2023, 05:00 pm
More details at https://t.co/RP7QseKkhB... pic.twitter.com/KQK1GNVWIk
Vic Emergency says:
Since 9am Thursday, rainfall totals of up to 20mm have been observed across the Seven and Castle Creeks catchment. No significant rainfall is forecast for the remainder of Friday and into the weekend. River levels will remain elevated for the next few days.
… The flood peak is approaching Kialla West where river levels are likely to exceed the minor flood level overnight Friday into Saturday. A moderate flood peak at Kialla may occur during Saturday morning.
Updated
NSW police seeking to arrest property developer Jean Nassif
Detectives want to hear from anyone who might know where controversial Sydney developer Jean Nassif is after warrants were granted for his arrest in relation to an alleged “large-scale fraud”.
Organised crime squad detective Superintendent Peter Faux on Friday said NSW police did not know where Nassif was but did not believe he had been in Australia for some months.
Faux said:
Yesterday we applied for arrest warrants in relation to Mr Jean Nassif and those arrest warrants have been granted and we’re here today in relation to seeking assistance in relation to the whereabouts of Mr Nassif or if he wants to come forward and speak to detectives.
He said offices were “unsure in relation to his exact whereabouts” but would have conversations with any foreign government or international police force if they knew where he was.
Warrant issued for the arrest of controversial Sydney property developer Jean Nassif. Detective Superintendent Peter Faux says: “Mr Nassif, we have the arrest warrant for your arrest. We encourage you to come forward and speak to detectives at the earliest convenience.” pic.twitter.com/ijbEKYVgY6
— Tamsin Rose (@tamsinroses) June 9, 2023
Updated
Albanese insists government will not alter stage-three tax cuts at next election
Albanese is insisting the government is keeping the stage-three tax cuts in their current form despite Clennell’s scepticism. Clennell:
You’ve committed – at the moment – to keep stage three tax cuts in their current form. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like your heart’s really in it.
(That also get a laugh from the audience.)
Albanese:
I said very clearly, at the time we tried to amend those tax cuts. We tried –
Clennell:
Now you’re in government.
Albanese:
We are. I’ve noticed.
(More laughs from the audience)
Clennell:
So why does it matter what you did in opposition?
Albanese:
And I’m glad you’ve noticed too. So we legislated -
Clennell:
There’s a theory you’ll take it to the next election altering it. That’s not going to happen?
Albanese:
We’ve said that we haven’t changed our position.
Updated
Albanese: the cheapest form of new energy is renewables
On energy, the PM is expressing his frustration at the previous government’s decade of inaction.
Albanese:
How is it that Snowy 2.0 is not connected to the grid? What is the point of doing a massive project like that, that isn’t plugged in?
I mean it’s absurd and we are having to deal with a decade of inaction where you had $4m for a new coal-fired power station study to the proponents at Collinsville in Queensland. No one thought that was going to go ahead.
There’s nothing to stop someone going out there and investing in a new coal fired power plant except reality, except the market – and the market tells you the cheapest form of new energy is renewables.
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Albanese: ‘we need increased density along transport corridors’
When the conversation moves to the housing crisis, the PM continues to express his frustration with the Greens who the government is yet to reach an agreement with to gain support for their housing future fund.
Albanese accuses the minor party of hypocrisy on this issue:
Now you can’t address housing issues like overnight. It takes time, but the big issue we all know is supply.
And some of the hypocrisy it must be said of the Greens political party is that they’ve never seen a medium-density development, let alone a high-density development that they wanted to support.
And we need to address those issues. We need increased density along transport corridors. They are things that we need reform on.
Albanese went on to describe the approvals he’d made in his own electorate:
I’m not for ‘let it rip’ bad developments in inappropriate locations, but you can have increased density particularly along transport corridors, I’m on the record of doing so in my own electorate consistently.
Updated
Albanese corrects Laura Jaye’s suggestion he’s halfway through his first term, the PM says it’s only one year in.
I’m not contemplating an early election.
Updated
PM begins live panel discussion on Sky News
The live panel discussion portion of the event is now kicking off, with PM interviewed by Sky News’ political editor, Andrew Clennell.
Clennell begins:
So you’ve had 11 interest rate hikes since you’ve become PM.
Albanese:
Good start Andrew.
(That gets a laugh from the audience.)
The PM goes on:
I’m very positive and optimistic about the future.
You forgot that there was one beforehand.
… Interest rates were never going to stay at 0.1%. That was never going to happen.
He acknowledges the rate rises are placing financial pressure on Australians, especially mortgage holders, but maintains he is optimistic.
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PM: ‘I feel great confidence in our nation’
Albanese continues on an optimistic note, pointing to the opportunities posed by renewable energy, technology and growing the care economy.
He ends on Labor values.
The how matters, enduring economic reform depends on bringing people along in the journey … what counts is returning the productivity gains to the employers, but also the workers … to improve living standards … fairer wages, and a better quality of life.
This is how we create a growing productive economy that works for people, not the other way round … I feel great confidence in our nation.
Updated
PM calls for regulations to be updated ahead of AI advances
Albanese says the government needs to focus on safety to improve cyber security, making sure there’s “guidance and support” to help businesses navigate privacy concerns and growing risks over AI.
There is huge potential here for productivity gains … for transformative advances … but of course there’s an element of risk as well.
He says rules and frameworks need to be updated in light of the rapidly moving artificial intelligence sector.
Updated
Albanese calls for businesses to strategically adopt new technologies and for government to guard against risks
Albanese says we should always be mindful of efficiencies but in the decade ahead, bigger thinking is needed – particularly in technology and innovation.
The economic change under way is far bigger than this. The way we share technology will be absolutely critical … we need to think about ways technology can empower workers, freeing people up from the routine parts of their job … and giving them back that time to focus on producing and caring and innovating.
He says productivity gains can be achieved if businesses adopt new technologies “earlier, more widely … and strategically”, calling for leadership from the sector while also pointing to the government’s role.
Government has a key role to play in maximising the potential benefits and guarding against risks.
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Prime minister says Australia is well-placed to meet global economic challenges
Albanese points to the global economic outlook, which is projecting tight financial conditions.
Australia is not immune to any of these challenges but we are extremely well placed.
He points to Australia’s investment in clean energy as a buffer which will create new export markets and ensure the nation can not only “sustain but grow” large-scale energy projects while cutting emissions.
In order to ensure this growth is sustained and shared over the long term, Australia needs to lift our game on productivity … our economic task is not just to clear away the waste and strengthen the budget, it’s to modernise the economy.
This is where, as a country, we need a smarter and more strategic approach to productivity instead of the self-defeating model that says workers should be expected to do more with less.
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PM: Labor is ‘working with business, not holding it back’
Albanese says in many fields, business has been ahead of government and now Labor is “working with business, not holding it back”.
He says the government is looking to work with states and territories, “not pick fights with them”.
All of us have an interest in building a stronger economy.
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Albanese: ‘if we drag our feet or turn our backs, the future will shape us’
Albanese says there is a moment in Australia the nation “cannot afford to miss”, and says for the first time “in a long time” the economy is breaking new ground.
He says he’s proud during his first term in office there have been record levels of workforce participation, including a record number of women in full-time work.
We are not in government to simply occupy the space. Our purpose and our focus is to support people while building Australia’s long-term prosperity.
We approach this task with optimism and urgency … driven by the understanding if we drag our feet or turn our backs, the future will shape us.
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Albanese on budget: ‘phrase we used most was getting the balance right’
Albanese says in “all the discussions my colleagues and I had when putting together the budget, the phrase we used most was getting the balance right”.
Getting pressure off families without putting it on inflation, providing meaningful help for those doing it tough while ensuring made responsible choices … and be able to forecast first surplus in 15 years.
He points to the “big overarching ever-present balance you have to get right in government – dealing with the pressing challenges of the here and now while never losing sight of the future”.
Albanese lists off the immediate term support in the budget, a cost of living package, tripling medicare bulk billing incentive, cutting medicine costs, energy bill relief, modest increases to jobseeker and rent assistance and, “close to my heart”, a parenting single payment increase as well as investment in childcare.
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No applause for constitutional recognition
As is custom, Albanese begins by acknowledging Traditional Owners and says he is proud to lead a government that will vote for constitutional recognition in the last quarter of this year.
No applause.
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Anthony Albanese steps up to address business luncheon hosted by Sky News and the Australian
Meanwhile the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is about to step up to deliver a keynote address at a business luncheon at Crown Sydney, hosted by Sky News and the Australian.
The address will be followed by a live panel discussion with Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell.
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ABS figures show mining sector drops 10.6% over April
Mining experienced the biggest turnover fall of any sector this April, figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today have found.
The figures found nine of 13 selected industries experienced a turnover drop, with mining recording the largest percentage decrease of 10.6%.
Kate Lamb, the ABS’s head of business indicators, said the industry-wide drop hadn’t been recorded since July 2021 during the Delta wave of the pandemic.
The mining industry’s fall was led by coal and iron ore miners, as prices for these commodities fell and exports were lower.
Electricity, gas, water and waste services recorded the second largest monthly fall in turnover (-9.4%), reversing the 9.3% rise in March. This was followed by transport, postal and warehousing (-6.8%), shipping and freight businesses and airline operators.
Accommodation and food services recorded small rises, followed by retail trade.
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PM pays tribute to footballer Rale Rasic
Australia’s football community continues to mourn the death of pioneer Rale Rasic, who has died, aged 87.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has also paid tribute to the man who became the first coach to take the Socceroos to a World Cup.
Football across Australia is mourning a legend.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 9, 2023
Rale Rasic took the Socceroos to their first World Cup Finals, and was a passionate ambassador for the world game all his life.
A proud man who leaves a mighty legacy.
Rest in peace Rale.
It is with great sadness that Football Australia hears of the passing of Rale Rasic, a prominent and much-loved figure within Australian football and a respected member of the Football Australia Hall of Fame.https://t.co/QS0QUpZOsI
— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) June 8, 2023
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Firefighter rights expanded to female-specific cancers
Female firefighters diagnosed with cervical, ovarian and uterine cancers will be covered under a long-awaited expansion of Victoria’s presumptive rights scheme, AAP reports.
Legislation for the scheme will be amended to include primary site cervical, ovarian and uterine cancers, the emergency services minister, Jaclyn Symes, announced today.
Firefighters who havee served for 10 years and are diagnosed on or after June 1 2016 will qualify for presumptive compensation linked to those cancers, in line with other already included forms of the disease.
Presumptive rights mean that career and volunteer firefighters diagnosed with certain cancers do not need to prove firefighting caused their disease.
Victorian firefighters are currently covered for 12 specified cancers but must have served five to 25 years to qualify, depending on their cancer type.
The 12 cancers are primary site brain, bladder, kidney, breast, testicular, prostate, ureter, colorectal, oesophageal, non-Hodgkins lymphoma and leukaemia cancers, as well as multiple myeloma.
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Victoria’s nurses and midwives union thanks Brett Sutton
Victoria’s union representing nurses and midwives have issued a statement thanking chief health officer, Brett Sutton, who announced this morning he will be leaving the health department.
The Victorian Branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s Lisa Fitzpatrick said:
Prof Sutton’s public health decisions through the pandemic years, while not always popular, were always designed to protect the lives of all Victorians.
He also acknowledged and had a deep understanding of the ‘Herculean’ challenges nurses and midwives faced and embraced head on.
Victoria’s nurses, midwives and personal care workers say thank you for steering Victoria through the most tumultuous of times and protecting our precious health system. Thankfully few of us will ever know the weight of the responsibility Victoria placed on his shoulders.
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Police officer dragged by car was new to the force
WA’s police minister, Paul Papalia, said the injured constable was relatively new to the force.
He told reporters:
It’s a very, very worrying situation at the moment.
This is something that every single police officer will feel ... in particular, those officers that were at the scene and responded and resuscitated their colleague.
It’s an incredibly hard, challenging incident and I feel for them all.
Police commissioner Col Blanch commended the constable’s partner and other officers who “did everything they could” to provide first aid and get him to hospital as quickly as possible.
Blanch said:
He’s got a long road ahead of him, but this is a time when the blue family does come together and we support all of our officers.
This is not how we’re supposed to end our shift.
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Charges laid as constable hit by car fights for life
A man has been charged after a police officer was allegedly run over and dragged beneath a car during an arrest, leaving him fighting for his life.
Officers were following the car, allegedly bearing stolen number plates, through Ascot in Perth’s east about 1am on Thursday when it came to a stop.
Police say as they tried to detain the three occupants, a 28-year-old constable was hit by the vehicle and dragged underneath.
His fellow officers had to lift the car off him and attempted CPR at the scene before he was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. He was placed in an induced coma and remains in intensive care in Royal Perth hospital with his family by his side.
West Australian police on Friday said a 23-year-old Belmont man had been charged with multiple offences, including committing an act intended to prevent arrest which caused grievous bodily harm.
He was also charged with stealing a motor vehicle, reckless driving to escape police pursuit, failing to stop when directed and possession of methamphetamine and a drug implement.
He was refused bail and is due to face Perth magistrates court today.
A 20-year-old woman and 25-year-old man who were also allegedly in the stolen car have been released pending further investigation.
- AAP
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Flooding watch and act issued along Victorian-NSW border
Victoria’s emergency agency says there is near major flooding occurring near the NSW border at Docker Road Bridge. They are warning that moderate flooding is also possible along the Ovens River at Wangaratta this evening.
This WATCH & ACT - RIVERINE FLOOD - Avoid the Flooded Area is for Ovens River downstream of Rocky Point.
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) June 9, 2023
Near-major flooding occurring at Docker Road Bridge. Moderate flooding possible along the Ovens River at Wangaratta Friday evening.
More details at https://t.co/BsRpigoCb9 pic.twitter.com/FiI7PMfTZN
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Bruce Lehrmann will not be asked over supposed public campaign to pressure witnesses
Collins said Lehrmann had signalled publicly that he intended to run a public campaign against Higgins and the respondents in the media. He said the publicity was such that it was having the effect of putting pressure on witnesses who would be giving evidence in the defamation trial.
This is a trial coming before Your Honour in a few short months. The publicity of the last few days can only have been calculated to put pressure on witnesses not to give evidence.
Justice Michael Lee suggested that such matters were better heard by the ACT supreme court, through contempt of court proceedings. The parties want the federal court to interrogate Lehrmann to ascertain whether he was responsible.
Lehrmann’s lawyers rejected the grave allegation. They say Lehrmann denied involvement and said the allegations from the media were “aggravating damages” in the defamation case.
They have no idea, they are fishing around in the dark.
Lee rejected the attempt to have Lehrmann interrogated about the issue. Chrysanthou signalled a further application would be made on the issue.
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Network Ten, Wilkinson complain of ‘calculated’ and ‘concerted’ public campaign
Lawyers for Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson have made explosive allegations that a “calculated” and “concerted” media campaign using restricted court material is being waged to pressure and dissuade witnesses from giving evidence in the defamation trial brought by Bruce Lehrmann.
Sue Chrysanthou SC, counsel for Wilkinson, and Dr Matt Collins KC, counsel for Network Ten, on Friday complained of a significant amount of publicity in Channel Seven and News Corp in recent days.
They said the coverage relied on material that had been produced under compulsory orders during Lehrmann’s criminal trial but was never tendered, which would be against rules governing the sharing of such material.
The subject material included a copy of Brittany Higgins’ phone and a recording of the five-hour pre-interview meeting between Higgins, David Sharaz, Wilkinson, and producer Angus Llewellyn.
Chrysanthou said the publicity had put improper pressure on Wilkinson.
She said that someone is engaged in a concerted campaign and accused the media of “dishonestly” editing the five-hour tape.
[The] publicity has been to such an extent that it tends to and has had the effect of … putting improper pressure on my client, overwhelmingly so. Now these media organisations are, it would appear, wholly publishing one side of the story.
She described the Spotlight program as “a deliberate attack on my client’s professionalism as a journalist”.
There was no attempt to approach my client prior to broadcast to ask her questions about what was happening in that recording.
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Max Chandler-Mather, Greens spokesperson for housing and homelessness, said the loss of revenue from higher rates comes on top of the $12.4bn that negative gearing and capital gains will cost the budget next year.
The government needs to explain how they can justify spending an extra half a billion a year on tax breaks for investors when they can’t find a single dollar of guaranteed funding for public housing or to freeze rents
Separately, productivity growth – or rather the lack of it – has been become the latest flash point about whether we can afford higher wages without forcing the RBA to keep lifting its cash rate.
We took a look at what’s going on, and whether the tizz is warranted in this explainer:
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Latest RBA rate rise to lop $546m from the federal budget, PBO says
This week’s decision by the Reserve Bank to lift the official interest rate to 4.1% not only depressed borrowers but it also dented the federal budget, which had based its calculations on a peak rate of 3.85%.
Judging by market expectations, Treasury better be reassessing their numbers because there’s probably at least another 25 basis-point increase to come.
Expectations of another RBA rate rise are creeping higher. Investors (perhaps wary about being wrong-footed in both May and June) are placing about a one in four chance of a 25bp hike in July, just over 80% by August and a certainty the cash rate will be 4.35% by September. pic.twitter.com/cFI9bAVvPV
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) June 9, 2023
The Greens asked the Parliamentary Budget Office to distil the impact on the budget of the latest increase, and were told it would be $546m (rising to $1.09bn if the RBA hiked again).
In its response, the PBO said the estimates were based “a revenue-forgone basis, which means they do not incorporate behavioural responses to changes in the cash rate, nor any broader economic impacts such as changes to house prices or rents”. (It looks like the tally excludes the fact some people will pay more tax because their deposits will provide a larger return.)
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PM says bizarre that focus is on Gallagher in Higgins allegations
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has defended Katy Gallagher amidst the opposition’s allegations she misled parliament over what she knew in connection to the Higgins allegations.
Appearing on Sunrise on David Koch’s last day in the job, Albanese answered the question of “did your colleague mislead Parliament?” with a firm “no.”
Take a step back, Kochie, what is being suggested here by Peter Dutton?
You had allegations by a Liberal staffer that another Liberal staffer had a sexual assault in a liberal ministers office and, somehow, Katy Gallagher has some responsibility for what was going on here?
This is bizarre.
You had a circumstance also where Scott Morrison had an enquiry by Phil Gaetjens, his former chief of staff who was the head of department and prime minister and cabinet, and … who knew what in his own office, we still have never, ever seen that report. I mean, for Peter Dutton to talk about transparency, frankly, is quite farcical here.
… The idea that there’s this conspiracy somehow ... that’s nonsense.
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Budget grilling back on in Victoria
Victoria’s public accounts and estimates committee continues to grill ministers on the latest budget. Fronting up this morning is the health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas.
She confirmed former Andrews government ministers Martin Foley and Lisa Neville have been appointed as the board chairs of Alfred Health and Barwon Health, respectively. The long-serving MPs both resigned in July last year.
It prompted an outburst from Liberal MP, Nick McGowan, who said:
You’ve got to be kidding.
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‘Please don’t forget the people and the work that we have all still got to do’, says Clare
Sussan Ley accused Gallagher of not answering questions around the issue. But the education minister, Jason Clare, appearing alongside Ley on the program, has come to Gallagher’s defence and made a plea not to miss the bigger picture:
What Sussan just said is wrong, suggesting that Kate is not answering these questions. She was on ABC Radio answering these questions yesterday. She is a person of the utmost integrity. You both know Katie and you would know that she is a person of integrity and if the Liberal party want to refer this to the anticorruption commission then fill your boots.
Remember what this is about. It’s an allegation that a person was raped in Parliament House 50 metres from the prime minister’s office. That led to an inquiry that Kate Jenkins did that exposed the fact that 40% of women in the building have been sexually harassed.
I know we’re getting wound around the axle here of the politics of all of this, but please don’t forget the people and the work that we have all still got to do that is not finished yet, about making sure it is a safe place to work.
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Ley weighs in on Gallagher and Higgins
Back on the opposition’s concerns Katy Gallagher misled parliament if she knew of Brittany Higgins’ allegation before it was made public later. Gallagher has vehemently denied this.
Sussan Ley has weighed in, saying it is “morally bankrupt” if any politician or journalist sought to politically profit from a rape allegation. She told the Morning Show:
These are serious and concerning issues. If any politician or journalist sought to politically profit from a rape allegation then that is just morally bankrupt.
There are serious questions here, questions of character for Anthony Albanese and his leadership.
Katy Gallagher is the finance minister, the minister for women, the senior member of the government and part of the government’s leadership team and she is not answering basic questions.
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Uber launches electric car rideshare option
Uber has revealed plans to launch a service dedicated to zero and low-emission vehicles, AAP reports.
The ride sharing giant will introduce its Uber Green tier in Australia today.
Uber Green will appear as an option in the company’s online app, will let users request a ride in an electric or hybrid vehicle for the same price as an UberX ride.
It will be available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra at launch, with towns in Tasmania and the Northern Territory yet to qualify.
The launch, announced at the company’s Go-Get Zero event in London, comes four years after Uber Green was introduced in Europe and more than 1,250 electric vehicles were registered with the platform in Australia.
Uber will also offer electric vehicle charging discounts to its Australian drivers in partnership with BP.
CEO Dara Khosrowshahi also announced a suite of green initiatives on Friday, including upcoming features to advise drivers when and where to charge their electric cars, to help the company reach its net-zero emissions target by 2040.
Uber Australia’s managing director, Dom Taylor, said the new initiative would encourage more drivers to adopt the technology and more riders to try it.
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Marles asked about revoking Afghanistan medals
Circling back to Marles’ interview on the Today Show, the defence minister was asked about removing medals from soldiers in Afghanistan.
Ultimately I’m a decision maker in this and I have to be careful here. The chief of the defence force has gone through a process of command accountability and his recommendations are on my desk and I’m taking appropriate advice.
Marles affirmed the Albanese government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Brereton report “to the fullest possible extent”:
I think that’s actually very important for our defence force, it is very important for our nation, and frankly I think to do anything different to that would be to be judged by history.
So, we will implement the recommendations of the report to the fullest possible extent, and in terms of the specific processes in relation to specific medals, we will go through the appropriate process.
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Ruston wants to know ‘who knew what, when’
In her ABC Radio interview, Anne Ruston also called for greater clarity on “who knew what, when” in the Higgins case.
RN Breakfast host Hamish McDonald challenged Ruston:
Respectfully, those those sorts of claims are not new. Is there anything that has emerged this week in your mind, which means that Senator Gallagher actually has to explain anything?
Ruston:
I think Senator Gallagher and the prime minister just need to come forward and say, who knew what and when. And I think that that would put the matter to bed.
But if they are aren’t able to come up with satisfactory answers around the questions about the political roles that were played or not played by anybody, and that includes the processes around the compensation, then I think Australians are right to be asking questions.
The attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, was yesterday very clear about the compensation, which he approved – and Gallagher, as the minister for finance, had no role in.
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‘We shouldn’t run a running commentary on the cases,’ says Hume
Opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume, appearing alongside Marles on the program, said she believed clarification was still needed:
There is inconsistencies between the reports that we are getting from those text messages and what we are hearing from Labor ministers, and what happened when.
And I think unfolding that, unpacking that, making sure there is some clarification is really important here. Because misleading parliament, misleading the Senate is a big deal, particularly when you rely on the honesty and integrity of ministers and senators, and so there are some questions to be answered here.
However, Hume said “we shouldn’t run a running commentary on the cases going on, because there are processes still under way” pointing to the fact the Sofronoff inquiry hasn’t reported yet.
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Katy Gallagher did not mislead parliament, Marles says
The deputy prime minister Richard Marles also denied Senator Katy Gallagher misled parliament on the issue of her involvement with Higgins alleged assault.
Marles told the Today Show:
Katy has made her position very clear earlier in the week, and she has made clear that she is very comfortable with the statements that she’s made, and that’s the end of the matter in terms of Katy’s position.
Katy is a person of enormous integrity. It is one of my great honours to work alongside her in this government. She does a great job as the finance minister.
She does a great job for this government and doing a great job for the Australian people.
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MP Zali Steggall says opposition’s Higgins attack is ‘vile’
Zali Steggall told Nine’s Today program this morning:
This is a pretty vile attack from Dutton and Linda Reynolds, putting at risk the mental health of someone that’s very vulnerable.
We have to remember that Brittany Higgins is a very vulnerable young woman and making her the punching bag of a political attack is really unsavoury.
Steggall called for the content of emails and phone calls made by Reynolds after she was made aware of the alleged assault to be made public.
In my experience, Katy Gallagher has been a very ethical person in all my dealings with her.
This is quite a distraction from the Liberal party, and it says a lot for Dutton’s moral compass.
The coalition’s political pursuit of this matter at the expense of the wellbeing of those involved, innuendo & calls for referral to NACC is inappropriate as the Gaetjens Report & details of who knew what, when in the PMO in 2019 hasn't been released. #enoughisenough #auspol pic.twitter.com/934VKSkZad
— 🌏 Zali Steggall MP (@zalisteggall) June 9, 2023
- AAP
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A federal MP has leapt to the defence of Brittany Higgins after a political brawl erupted over a settlement she received following her alleged sexual assault inside Parliament House.
Independent Zali Steggall accused the Coalition leadership of turning her into a political punching bag to further their attacks on the Labor government.
Higgins, a former Liberal staffer, reached a settlement with the commonwealth in December 2022 after she launched legal action against her employers in the previous Coalition government.
Higgins alleged she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann in 2019 inside the office of the Coalition minister Linda Reynolds, who they both worked for.
Lehrmann has always denied Higgins’ allegation.
Reported text messages between Higgins and her partner David Sharaz suggest the pair discussed potentially strategising with finance minister Katy Gallagher, when she was in opposition, after the rape allegation was made public.
Reynolds has threatened to refer the compensation payment to the national anti-corruption commission, which starts work on 1 July.
Her leader, Peter Dutton, on Thursday said the government had questions to answer and backed calls for the matter to be referred to the integrity commission.
– AAP
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‘Take the tax and levy off the table’ for aged care taskforce, Coalition says
Anne Ruston, the shadow minister for health and aged care, is calling for the government to take the idea of a levy to pay for aged care off the table.
The idea of a Medicare-style levy to pay for the entire system was proposed by one commissioner at the aged care royal commission while another commissioner proposed a mix of a levy and higher financial contributions from users.
The Albanese government this week announced it would be setting up a taskforce to settle the question of how to pay for higher standards of care.
Ruston says:
I just think putting a tax or a levy on the table upfront does not provide the incentive to the taskforce that the government is expecting them to come up with something that’s more innovative and more reformist, and something that’s going to be sustainable into the longer term.
We’d say take the tax and levy off the table and let’s look at something that’s a little bit more brave and reformist than that.
Ruston says the opposition is prepared to work constructively with the government on finding the best solution.
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Victoria's chief health officer Brett Sutton resigns
The man who led Victoria’s health response throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, chief health officer Brett Sutton, has resigned.
Sutton will step down from his role after four years to move to a new position.
He will take up a new role as director of health and biosecurity at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency.
Victorian Department of Health secretary Euan Wallace hailed Sutton as an invaluable leader and thanked him for his work during the public health crisis.
Since joining the Department in 2011, Professor Sutton has helped to develop a strong and responsive public health team, providing critical health information and advice on a wide variety of issues and emergencies over the years.
He was appointed chief health officer in 2019 and led Victoria’s health response throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, playing a key role in keeping the community safe and informed.
- AAP
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Woman, 39, and girl, 11, stabbed in Queensland
A teenager is in custody after a woman and a young girl were found stabbed in Queensland.
Emergency services were called around 10.30pm last night to a Rosewood address and found a 39-year-old woman and an 11-year-old girl with numerous stab wounds to the abdomen.
Police say a 16-year-old-boy, who lives with both females, was taken into custody while both victims were transported to hospital in critical condition.
A crime scene has been declared and investigations into the circumstances of the incident are continuing.
Julian Assange extradition appeal denied
A UK high court judge has rejected all eight grounds of Julian Assange’s appeal against his extradition order to the US on espionage charges.
His wife, Stella Assange, says he will contest the ruling:
On Tuesday next week, my husband Julian Assange will make a renewed application for appeal to the High Court. The matter will then proceed to a public hearing before two new judges at the High Court and we remain optimistic that we will prevail, and that Julian will not be extradited to the United States where he faces charges that could result in him spending the rest of his life in a maximum security prison for publishing true information that revealed war crimes committed by the US government.
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National gun register 'critical' for public safety
Models for a national firearms register to help police tackle gun violence will be discussed by Australia’s police ministers, AAP reports.
Attorney-general Mark Dreyfus will chair the meeting on Friday, where options for a register will be put forward by state and territory ministers.
The decision follows the murders of Queensland police officers Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow, who were killed on a regional property by a trio of conspiracy theorists in December last year.
Dreyfus said the governments had undertaken “extensive efforts” to progress the “critical public safety initiative”:
A national firearms register would provide police across all Australian jurisdictions with timely and accurate information to assess firearms risks and protect the community from harm.
I look forward to continuing to work constructively with my colleagues on this important initiative.
The options for a register will then be provided to national cabinet for consideration.
The Australian Federal Police Association has called for a national gun database since 2019.
Good morning
And welcome to the live news blog this Friday. I’m Natasha May and I’ll be with you into the afternoon.
Australia’s police ministers are gathering today to discuss models for a national firearms register to help police tackle gun violence.
The attorney-general, Mark Dreyfus, will chair the meeting, which was promised after the deaths of two police officers and a civilian in the Wieambilla shooting last year.
Meanwhile, Uber is introducing a green rideshare option in Australia dedicated to zero and low-emission vehicles.
The ride sharing giant will launch its Uber Green tier with more than 1,250 electric vehicles were registered with the platform in Australia.
Julian Assange will fight to overturn a high court ruling confirming his extradition to the US where he is wanted on espionage charges.
The UK’s high court rejected Assange’s appeal, but his wife, Stella Assange, says he will contest the ruling with an appeal to be lodged next week.
In the Northern Territory, about 400km south-east of Darwin, the Barunga Sport and Culture festival is getting under way this weekend.
The festival marks 35 years since Indigenous leaders presented the Barunga Statement to former prime minister Bob Hawke, outlining a future treaty between First Nations people and the government.
Let’s get into it!
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