What we learned today, Tuesday 28 November
And that’s where we’ll leave you today – it’s been a busy one. Here are the top-top lines from everything that happened:
The high court revealed its reasons for unanimously ruling that indefinite immigration detention is unlawful where there is no real prospect of deporting the non-citizen. The home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, confirmed that following the high court’s reasons in the indefinite detention case, Labor will enact a preventive detention regime this week.
Asylum seekers and refugee advocates are meanwhile demanding the Albanese government establish a royal commission into immigration detention.
Stephanie Foster has been appointed the new secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, the prime minister announced. She replaces Michael Pezzullo, who was removed from the job after an independent inquiry found he had breached the government’s code of conduct at least 14 times.
The minister for defence industry, Pat Conroy, criticised the former Labor prime minister Paul Keating along with several Liberal party figures in a speech to the press club as he complained that “Aukus attracts myths like a hull attracts barnacles”.
Labor’s Patrick Dodson will resign as a senator due to recent treatment for cancer leaving him “physically unable to fulfil satisfactorily my duties”.
Relatives of some of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza held an emotional press conference on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra to call for the immediate release of their loved ones. They also met with the PM, deputy PM and foreign minister.
The Victorian Labor government issued an ultimatum to the opposition: help pass our WorkCover reforms or premiums for businesses will go up.
Amy Remeikis will be back with you in the AM and I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon for the wash up. Look after yourselves.
Updated
Queensland freight route to retain $800m federal funding
The Albanese government will retain its $800m funding of a Queensland freight route after the state government pleaded with its federal counterparts not to can their commitment.
The deputy premier, Steven Miles, announced he would head to Canberra on Tuesday with a Queensland delegation after the federal government scrapped nine infrastructure projects in the state, worth up to $363m, earlier this month.
The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, urged the Albanese government on Tuesday not to renege on its funding of the “nationally significant” Inland Freight Route.
The $1bn route from Mungindi to Charters Towers was slated for 80:20 funding to be shared by the federal and state governments.
The federal transport minister, Catherine King, said the Inland Freight Route upgrades “will proceed through planning with the remaining funding reserved for construction”:
The Albanese government’s commitment remains at $800m.
Updated
