That's it for today, thanks for reading
Here are the main stories on Monday, 25 July:
- The former prime minister Scott Morrison will miss the first week of the new parliament because of a visit to Japan;
- Another former PM, Paul Keating, slams a planned visit to Taiwan by US house speaker Nancy Pelosi as a “reckless and provocative act” that would be “foolish, dangerous and unnecessary”;
- Parcels are being checked for foot-and-mouth disease but the Australian government says the border should not shut, despite calls from the Coalition;
- Senator David Pocock calls for ‘climate trigger’ in environment laws ahead of new parliament opening;
- Crossbench MPs including Zali Steggall, Dai Le, Kate Chaney, Sophie Scamps, Kylea Tink, and Zoe Daniel met the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, this morning to discuss cuts to their office staffing, but left empty handed;
- Albanese also addressed caucus ahead of the first sitting day tomorrow; and
- Australia records 32 Covid deaths and more than 35,000 cases.
We will see you here tomorrow for all the action from parliament and across the country. Enjoy the rest of your night.
Victorian government names alternate planning minister
AAP reports on the fairly odd way the Andrews government is seeking to avoid conflicts arising from the planning minister having a brother who is a prominent lobbyist:
The Victorian government has appointed another minister to rule on cases connected to a lobbying firm with family ties to the state’s planning minister.
Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio will rule on matters involving Hawker Britton, whose director John-Paul Blandthorn is the brother of planning minister Lizzie Blandthorn.
Hawker Britton’s clients include construction giant John Holland, tasked with building the West Gate Tunnel, Mirvac, the Dennis Family Corporation and Melbourne Airport.
Blandthorn was given decision-making powers on planning permits and land rezoning following her appointment as planning minister last month, in a sweeping cabinet reshuffle ahead of the November state election.
In response to potential or perceived conflicts of interest, the Andrews government announced an alternate minister would be delegated for matters linked to Hawker Britton but did not confirm who would fill the role until Monday.
Opposition planning spokesman, Ryan Smith, said the situation remains “unworkable” despite Blandthorn’s exclusion, and called for the premier to immediately appoint a planning minister capable of performing the role.
“Victoria’s planning and construction sectors deserve certainty and consistency in decision making,” he said in a statement.
Blandthorn’s office has been contacted for comment.
Updated
Paul Keating blasts planned Nancy Pelosi visit to Taiwan as ‘foolish, dangerous’
Former prime minister Paul Keating has slammed a planned visit to Taiwan by US house speaker Nancy Pelosi as a “reckless and provocative act” that would be “foolish, dangerous and unnecessary”.
In a statement just released, Keating said:
US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi – the third-ranked figure in the American hierarchy – is reported to be planning a visit to Taiwan, despite the urging of Administration officials from her own party. It is hard to imagine a more reckless and provocative act.
Across the political spectrum, no observer of the cross-straits relationship between China and Taiwan doubts that such a visit by the Speaker of the American Congress may degenerate into military hostilities.
If the situation is misjudged or mishandled, the outcome for the security, prosperity and order of the region and the world (and above all for Taiwan) would be catastrophic.
A visit by Pelosi would be unprecedented - foolish, dangerous and unnecessary to any cause other than her own.
Over decades, countries like the United States and Australia have taken the only realistic option available on cross-straits relations. We encourage both sides to manage the situation in a way that ensures that the outcome for a peaceful resolution is always available.
But that requires a contribution from us – calm, clear and sensitive to the messages being sent. A visit by Pelosi would threaten to trash everything that has gone before.
When the United States has a divided foreign policy on an issue of such grave importance, the world begins a slide onto very thin ice.
You can read more about that planned visit here:
Updated
