This is The Loop, your quick catch-up for this morning's news as it happens.
Key events
Live updates
That's it for The Loop this morning
By Kate Ainsworth
Thanks for joining us. If you're just catching up, here's some of what we covered (hit the link to jump to the post):
- State premiers and chief ministers have been told to "grow up" over healthcare funding by a member of the Medicare taskforce, ahead of today's national cabinet meeting
- A small radioactive capsule that was found on the side of a WA highway after an extensive search has safely arrived in Perth for examination
- The Pentagon is tracking a Chinese surveillance balloon that's been spotted in sensitive areas of US airspace. Authorities say it's too risky to shoot down the balloon
- Nick Kyrgios is set to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court this afternoon over an assault charge
- Qantas boss Alan Joyce says the airline is 'back to its best' after 'routinely' disappointing its customers
- Formula 1 pioneer Jean-Pierre Jabouille has died, aged 80
- It's groundhog day in the US, with Phil predicting another six weeks of winter
- And Netflix has shared how it plans to stop us from sharing our passwords
You can keep up-to-date with other news on the ABC's website, by subscribing to our mobile alerts, and by watching News Channel or listening to local radio here.
We'll be back to do it all again next week — catch you then!
Here's a quick roundup of what the other premiers and chief ministers had to say before national cabinet
By Kate Ainsworth
Most of the nation’s premiers and chief ministers stopped for a quick chat with the waiting media on the way into National Cabinet this morning.
Political reporter Tom Lowrey has put together this quick rundown of what they had to say:
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet:
“I want a roadmap to a better national health system. If we work together we can achieve that. And that’s why a think the less discussion around the financial arrangements today, the better. It’s more about the best public policy outcome.”
WA Premier Mark McGowan:
“Obviously our public hospitals all across Australia have been under huge pressure…in particular, the lack of bulk-billing, not having enough doctors particularly in more outlying states, and the fact that there has been an increase in acute conditions faced by patients. Alleviating that by getting people out of hospitals is very important, and that’s what I hope this (Medicare) report identifies – ways of doing that.”
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff:
“It’s vitally important that we look at better access to GP services, primary healthcare, this is a Commonwealth responsibility. States are increasingly reaching in, particularly Tasmania in terms of filling that void. But as states and the Commonwealth, we need to work together to get the care when and where they need it, for all Tasmanians and Australians.”
NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:
“It’s important that we come together as leaders from around the nation, it’s a diverse nation but we do have common issues. Of course healthcare reform is important as a health minister, and where health is an underlying factor in so many of the social determinants we see.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also commented on healthcare, but touched on the push for a National Firearms Register too.
“I’m a really keen supporter of this. I’ll be raising it at National Cabinet, especially after the tragic deaths of (police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow) that were felt right across Australia. I think a National Firearms Registry will absolutely help, giving agencies the opportunity to log in and see who owns firearms.”
The latest COVID figures are in for Victoria and NSW
By Kate Ainsworth
In Victoria, another 70 people have died with COVID in Victoria over the past week, with 3,056 cases in the last seven days.
144 people have been hospitalised in the state, with seven in intensive care.
In New South Wales, 88 people have died in the past 7 days.
There are more than 1,000 people being treated in hospital with the virus, and 19 patients are in intensive care.
Radioactive capsule arrives safely in Perth
By Kate Ainsworth
A small radioactive capsule, which fell from a truck in WA's Pilbara and was recovered after a major search along a 1,000km stretch of road, has arrived safely in Perth.
The capsule, which was being transported from a Rio Tinto minesite near Newman to Perth when it went missing, was taken to a government facility where it will be examined by health authorities.
It was discovered south of Newman on Wednesday by a search crew using specialised radiation equipment after an unprecedented public health warning was issued about the dangerous levels of radiation it emitted.
Were you paying attention to the news this week? Test your knowledge with our quiz
By Kate Ainsworth
It's that time of week — time to put your knowledge to the test and see how well you were paying attention to the last seven days of news.
(If you tell me your score, I'll tell you mine because I am... embarrassed... despite being here all week.)
US officials tracking suspected Chinese 'spy balloon' in American airspace
By Kate Ainsworth
Officials in the US are tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that's been spotted in America's airspace for several days.
A senior defence official says the US has "very high confidence" it's a Chinese high-altitude "spy balloon" that's flying over sensitive sites to collect information, including over military sites.
The Pentagon announcement comes days before the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China.
The Pentagon has decided not to shoot it down because of risks of harming people on the ground.
It's Groundhog Day in the US — and Phil's predicted six more weeks of winter
By Kate Ainsworth
People gave gathered in a town in Pennsylvania for the annual Groundhog Day celebration, with Punxsutawney Phil predicting six more weeks of winter.
Phil's "inner circle" summoned the groundhog from his tree stump at Gobbler's Knob to learn if he's seen his shadow.
According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, spring comes early.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration compared Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast to the national weather the last 10 years and found “on average, Phil has gotten it right 40 per cent of the time.”
This year, Phil's prediction came during a week when a mess of ice, sleet and snow has lingered across much of the southern US.
But enough about the history — here's Phil in all his glory.
SA's premier has arrived ahead of the national cabinet meeting
By Kate Ainsworth
Peter Malinauskas is the latest premier to arrive at Parliament House for today's national cabinet meeting which will largely focus on health issues.
Here's what he told reporters outside:
"It is important to realise the size of the challenge when it comes to hospitals around the nation. Almost every single public hospital throughout the country is experiencing unprecedented pressure and it continues to be a growth and escalation on the cost of that service delivery.
"We need to have a plan from the federal government about what is occurring at the frontend, what is happening with Medicare to prevent people ending up in the hospital system.
"I have to welcome what the Albanese government is doing in the Strengthening Medicare taskforce, but we need a degree of urgency to translate that into practical actions that the system can rely on."
Qantas boss Alan Joyce says airline 'back to its best' after 'routinely' disappointing customers
By Kate Ainsworth
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has written to Qantas customers, saying the airline was "routinely letting customers down", which is the "exact opposite of our culture".
"Six months ago, a lot of people felt we’d let them down and the figures showed why," he wrote.
"Almost half our flights were late, our rate of misplaced bags had more than doubled and we were cancelling up to 7 per cent of our schedule."
Joyce continued:
"Knowing that we were routinely letting customers down was hugely disappointing for everyone at Qantas. It’s the exact opposite of our culture," he wrote.
"Last August, we apologised and promised to fix it. And almost every week after that, things improved. It’s a huge credit to our people that the data now shows Qantas is back to its best."
By the way, did you know the ABC has a live blog dedicated to business and ASX news? Now you do!
You can follow all the latest developments in the business world today (and reaction to this extraordinary statement by Alan Joyce) with business reporter Emilia Terzon below:
Premiers are starting to arrive ahead of today's national cabinet meeting
By Kate Ainsworth
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has arrived at Parliament House in Canberra and briefly spoke to reporters outside ahead of today's national cabinet meeting, where they'll discuss the country's health system and a report from the 'Strengthening Medicare' taskforce.
Here's some of what he had to say:
"This is not always about money. Medicare, I have been very clear about it, we need to pay our GPs more, train more GPs via university places, we need to work as a country rather than individual states and territories to recruit more overseas-trained GPs to come and work in our primary care system, and, yes, there will be more money needed, but the most important thing here is that good ideas, common-sense reform drives this first and foremost, and then we can fund it appropriately after that," he said.
"In terms of 50-50 funding for hospitals, we remain committed to that, but that's not up for negotiation now.
"The federal government is exclusively responsible for Medicare, and unless and until we fix Medicare and get it back to what it used to be — a system to keep people healthy and well and out of hospital, free, free, fast, and local — then we will always have more pressure than we otherwise would have on our hospital system."
States should 'grow up' and offer solutions to health system, Medicare taskforce member says
By Kate Ainsworth
A member of the taskforce that put together a plan to overhaul Medicare says the states need to "grow up" and start offering solutions to problems plaguing the health system.
National cabinet will today consider the report from the 'Strengthening Medicare' taskforce, looking at issues including GP shortages and overburdened hospitals.
The states have been pressing the Commonwealth for more funding for public hospitals, seeking a return to a 50-50 funding deal in place at the height of the pandemic.
Professor Stephen Duckett told RN Breakfast the states need to detail what they're willing to contribute.
"I think it's a bit outrageous that they say well it's all the Commonwealth's job to fix things, when actually half the spend in hospitals is theirs," he said.
"So hopefully out of this meeting the state premiers will grow up and actually be adult in their conversation, rather than pretending they're a kid asking for more lollies."
Brisbane Heat to meet Perth Scorchers in BBL final
By Kate Ainsworth
The BBL final has been decided after the Brisbane Heat upset the Sydney Sixers by four wickets overnight.
The Heat were helped by fast bowler Michael Neser, who hit 48 not out.
The Heat will take on the Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium tomorrow night.
Coming up: State and territory leaders to call for more health funding at National Cabinet
By Kate Ainsworth
Premiers and chief ministers will push the prime minister for more federal funding for the health sector during a National Cabinet meeting in Canberra today.
They will also be presented with a long-awaited report from a task force aimed at improving Medicare, which Health Minister Mark Butler says is in "the worst shape it's been in its 40-year history".
The meeting comes as Australia's health sector struggles under rising costs and lengthy wait times.
You can read more about the situation here:
82yo Adelaide woman charged for attempting to import 8kg of cocaine
By Kate Ainsworth
A woman in her 80s has been been arrested over a plan to import more than eight kilograms of cocaine.
Police say the 82-year-old and a 30-year-old from Flinders Park have been charged with attempted drug trafficking.
Both have been released on bail to face court in April.
Police allege the pair was attempting to import more than $3.2 million worth of cocaine.
Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Renault's first F1 winner, dies aged 80
By Kate Ainsworth
French racing driver and engineer Jean-Pierre Jabouille, who in 1979 gave Renault their first Formula One victory, has died at the age of 80.
The Renault-owned Alpine team has paid tribute to the two-times race winner as a pioneer whose victory at Dijon-Prenois was also the first in Formula One for a car with a turbocharged engine.
"He spearheaded Renault's journey into F1 in 1977 with his resilient and dare to do attitude," the team said.
"His determination and dedication to succeed inspired many ... we are where we are today because of Jean-Pierre and his legacy lives on."
Jabouille made 49 starts in Formula One — debuting at his home grand prix at Le Castellet with Tyrrell in 1975 before competing for Renault from 1977-80.
Jabouille broke his leg in a crash in Canada in 1980 and retired after three races with Ligier in 1981.
Coming up: Nick Kyrgios expected to appear in ACT court
By Kate Ainsworth
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios is scheduled to appear in an ACT court this afternoon over an assault charge.
Kyrgios was first summonsed by police early last year in connection to an alleged assault involving his former girlfriend.
The case was last in court in October 2022, where Kyrgios's lawyers sought an adjournment to allow time for a mental health assessment.
Kyrgios is expected to appear in person at the ACT Magistrates Court this afternoon.
Father of boy who died after being left in a hot car has been released without charge
By Kate Ainsworth
A man has been released from custody without charge after his son died after being left in a hot car in Sydney's south west yesterday, where temperatures reached 34 degrees.
Police say the three-year-old was found unresponsive in the car, which had been parked on Railway Parade in Glenfield.
It's alleged the three year old boy had been left in the car throughout the day.
The ABC understands it was the boy's father who raised the alarm when he returned to the car.
Investigations into the boy's death are continuing.
News while you snoozed: Putin speaks, Angelina Jolie visits Iraq
By Kate Ainsworth
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has used a speech commemorating the battle of Stalingrad to make veiled threats against the West and Ukraine, and lambasted Germany for helping arm Ukraine by providing them with Leopard tanks.
- Actress and philanthropist Angelina Jolie has visited Sinjar in Iraq with Nobel Prize laureate Nadia Murad. The pair toured Murad's home in Kocho, a disputed territory populated by Yazidis. Jolie posted a series of photos on her Instagram, calling it "an emotional day".
News Australia has been searching for: Mason Greenwood, Tom Brady
By Kate Ainsworth
Let's just make this the sport section:
- Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood will no longer face charges of attempted rape and assault. The Crown Prosecution Service said the charge, which also included controlling and coercive behaviour, were discontinued overnight. He was formally charged in October last year, after an investigation that started in January 2022.
- Newly-retired (again) NFL star Tom Brady could sign a one-day deal with the New England Patriots so he can formally retire with the team he led to six Super Bowl titles. Patriots owner Robert Kraft told CNN "we'll do everything we can" to bring Brady back and "sign off as a Patriot".
One last thing: Here's how Netflix is going to stop you sharing your account
By Kate Ainsworth
If you've been sharing your Netflix password (or are the recipient of a shared Netflix account) you'll no doubt be aware the streaming giant is cracking down on account and password sharing.
Now we've gotten some new details about how it's going to work, straight from the FAQ section of countries where the crackdown is in place.
Netflix says we'll have to "check in" with a device at least once a month on a home network. Here's what they say in their own words:
“To ensure that your devices are associated with your primary location, connect to the Wi-Fi at your primary location, open the Netflix app or website, and watch something at least once every 31 days."
But if you wanted to go and read for yourself, Netflix has now deleted that section from its FAQ... apparently due to the backlash.
The policy however still lives on — and there's no date just yet for when it'll come into effect here in Australia.
