The day that was, Monday 14 February
That is where we will leave the live blog for Monday. Thanks for following along.
Here’s some of what you might have missed today:
- The federal government will not try to pass controversial voter ID laws before the federal election but may seek to pass it if it is returned to government.
- Independent MP Zali Steggall has defended a $100,000 donation from a coal investor saying most people have through superannuation.
- The federal parliament marked the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.
- A 41-year-old man died in a helicopter crash in northern Tasmania, after crashing in a paddock while fighting a nearby fire.
- There were 19,680 new Covid-19 cases reported including: 6,184 in NSW, 7,104 in Victoria, 3,750 in Queensland, 1,027 in South Australia, 375 in the ACT, 408 in Tasmania, 757 in the Northern Territory and 75 in Western Australia.
- There were 25 Covid-19 related deaths reported including: 14 in NSW, two in Victoria, six in Queensland, and three in South Australia.
We will be back again tomorrow with all the latest from the House and Senate estimates.
Updated
Morrison received Vivienne Thom report into Alan Tudge assault allegations on 28 January
A report into allegations against education minister Alan Tudge was given to Scott Morrison on 28 January, more than two weeks ago, but the government can’t confirm whether the matter will be dealt with before the coming election.
Tudge stood aside from the ministry in December, following allegations from former staffer Rachelle Miller – with whom Tudge had a consensual relationship – that he had been emotionally and on one occasion physically abusive. Tudge denied the claims, but Morrison announced former bureaucrat Vivienne Thom would carry out an investigation into the allegations.
Miller was critical of the process for not allowing investigation of conduct which might constitute criminal conduct. She declined to participate, claiming a “rush to judgment” and a “political fix” in a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald two weeks ago.
Stephanie Foster, deputy secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, told a Senate estimates hearing on Monday evening that the report was complete, and had been given to the department on 28 January. It was then sent to the prime minister’s office on 28 January.
Foster said she understood Morrison had been briefed on the contents of the report, and that he “has had the report available to him”.
A spokesman for Morrison’s office told Guardian Australia that the matter is still in progress.
Foster said the next steps were for those who participated in the investigation to have the opportunity to request parts of their testimony be kept confidential from any public release of the report, and that she would consider such requests.
Finance minister Simon Birmingham, representing the prime minister in the hearing, said the report would eventually go to Tudge and Miller, but he could not confirm when. Birmingham said he did not believe Tudge had received any information on the report’s findings.
Labor senator Katy Gallagher noted that Tudge has stood aside since early December, with Stuart Robert acting as education minister, and asked whether the matter would be finalised before the federal election. Tudge has already said he plans to contest his seat of Aston.
Birmingham responded “I’m sure that’s the hope” but said he wouldn’t “pre-empt” the next steps or timing.
Updated
