What we learned: Wednesday, 17 August
And with that, we will close the blog for the day. Here’s what happened today:
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has remained defiant, refusing to resign after his five secret ministry self-appointments were revealed, defending his secrecy because he says he never exercised the powers he had.
Current prime minister Anthony Albanese blasted Morrison, saying he was being “evasive” and “self-serving” over secret ministries.
The governor general, David Hurley, said he did not have a reason to believe the appointments would not be communicated in a statement this afternoon.
Various MPs past and present have continued to criticise Morrison for his actions, including Clare O’Neil, Jacqui Lambie, Stuart Robert, Matthew Thistlethwaite, Adam Bandt and Jason Clare.
Former prime minister John Howard said Morrison’s actions were “unusual” and it was “unwise to have kept it secret” but echoed Barnaby Joyce’s defence that what Morrison did was not illegal.
The NSW government has accepted every recommendation from the flood report by former chief scientist Mary O’Kane and former police commissioner Mick Fuller.
The planning authority in Canberra’s parliamentary triangle has terminated the Russian government’s lease for a planned new embassy and ordered it to get off the site within three weeks.
The wage price index for the June quarter rose 2.6%.
Victoria’s opposition pledged to scrap the suburban rail loop, described as the biggest transport project in the state’s history, with “every cent” of the $34.5bn saved to be invested in the health system if elected in November.
Victor Dominello announced he has “made the difficult decision to retire from politics” after 14 years and four elections. The customer service minister has told the premier, Dominic Perrottet, he won’t contest the March election.
The high court has given judgment in favour of Google in an important test case about the search engine’s liability for hyperlinks to defamatory articles.
Across the country today, 67 deaths from Covid were recorded.
Updated
ARLC delays decision on NRL grand final location
In breaking news this evening, the battle for the NRL grand final will continue until at least Thursday, after the ARL commission again delayed a decision at a meeting tonight.
Both NSW and Queensland are in contention for the grand final, after the Queensland government campaigned hard to have the showpiece moved from its traditional Sydney location.
We’ll have to wait until Thursday for a final decision though:
BREAKING: NRL GRAND FINAL UPDATE
— Pete Badel (@badel_cmail) August 17, 2022
The battle for the NRL grand final remains in the balance after the ARL Commission again delayed a decision following a meeting tonight.
ARLC plans to make a final call on Thursday. Queensland wants THREE NRL grand finals https://t.co/y8MqiyinuQ
Updated
I’ve just wrapped up a joint meeting with Ministers for Indigenous Affairs from all States and Territories. We made some big progress towards better outcomes for First Nations peoples. Here’s what happened and why it matters… 🧵 (1/5)
— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) August 17, 2022
Every State and Territory government has agreed to work towards a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution. That’s bipartisan support, coast to coast. (2/5)
— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) August 17, 2022
We also discussed practical steps to implementing the Voice, including at a regional level, so that First Nations people can work in partnership at all levels of government to improve policies, programs and service delivery. (3/5)
— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) August 17, 2022
We discussed our Government’s commitment to replace the Community Development Program and our upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit. Real Jobs, proper wages, and decent conditions – that’s our goal. (4/5)
— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) August 17, 2022
All governments emphasised their strong ongoing commitment to working together to improve practical outcomes for First Nations people.
— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) August 17, 2022
We’ve got more to do, but we took a big step together towards a better future for Indigenous Australians today. (5/5)
