This is The Loop, your quick catch-up for this morning's news as it happens.
Key events
Live updates
By Peta Fuller
That's all for The Loop this morning
Keep following the fallout from Scott Morrison's secret ministries in our politics blog here or at the ABC News site.
You can also watch News Channel or listen to local radio here, and, as always, subscribe to our mobile alerts.
We'll be back tomorrow morning to cover the latest updates.
By Peta Fuller
Some final thoughts on Morrison
Sue questions the media's interest over Morrisons secret power grabs. This is a degradation of our democracy, it is massive news. Secret ministerial powers over 5 portfolios is (to use the overused word) "unprecedented". This behaviour is how countries end up under Dictatorships. Sue will be hearing about this for some time, as we all should. ABC keep investigating and reporting on this!
- Rick
Not sure why the focus is on Scott when during Pandemic Dan Andrews used emergency powers to take total control of ALL ministries - no one seemed concerned on that
- Peter
I was wondering if anyone has referred to Scott Morrison's multiple portfolios, secret swearing in and the legal instruments used by the Governor General; as a constitutional crisis? Is it a constitutional crisis?
- Bradley
By Peta Fuller
Howard says secret ministries not a 'constitutional crisis'
Former prime minister John Howard said holding five secret ministries is not something he would have done nor seen as necessary, even under pandemic circumstances.
But the former Liberal Party politician, who met Scott Morrison for lunch in recent weeks, said he thinks the public wouldn’t want Mr Albanese to "focus on this too much".
He told ABC Radio National's Patricia Karvelas:
"Yes it is unusual, I understand why it is being criticised but it’s not some sort of constitutional crisis," Mr Howard said.
He said Mr Morrison keeping his portfolio appointments a secret was unwise.
Reporting by Felicity Ripper
By Peta Fuller
Some thoughts from you on the Morrison secret ministries story
Can Labor get back to running the country instead of fussing about some yesterday's news about the guy who already lost power. I also not sure why it matters now. I am not sorry he's no longer in charge but really don't get why the press on this now. Seems like a distraction at best..
- Sue
How was Morrison sworn in?
- B Crockett
Thanks for the updates from Jacqui and Joyce but I think we're all waiting for a comment from Macron about the former Poly Minister.
- Not surprised
By Peta Fuller
Interpol alert for possible second diver in Newcastle cocaine haul
An Interpol alert has been issued for a Brazillian man believed to be a second diver who left a fellow countryman for dead, after retrieving a cocaine haul off a ship in Newcastle.
Here's the ABC's Giselle Wakatama:
In May, the body of Brazillian Diver Bruno Borges was found floating in Newcastle Port. About 50 kilograms worth of cocaine was found nearby.
NSW Police believe Mr Borges did not act alone and allege another Brazilian, 32-year-old Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva, was a second diver.
He remains a wanted man. A global Interpol Blue notice is in place for him.
A woman is also being sought and police say investigations are ongoing.
By Peta Fuller
Lambie says 'time for him to go' over Morrison's secret portfolios
Senator Jacqui Lambie has joined calls for former PM Scott Morrison to resign, describing his secret appointment to five ministries as "disgraceful".
Senator Lambie said Mr Morrison needed to be berated for his "measure of control" and told ABC Radio National's Patricia Karvelas:
"It's time for him to go. It’s time for Scott Morrison to resign. Enough damage has been done under him,"
She went on to say it was "rubbish" that the former PM couldn’t remember which portfolios he was assigned.
"You blatantly lied, no one forgets they’ve got five portfolios," she said.
- Reporting by Felicity Ripper
By Peta Fuller
'Stop playing this down': Home Affairs minister says Joyce interview was 'unbelievable'
Home Affairs minister Clare O'Neil has told ABC's RN Breakfast that Barnaby Joyce's comments this morning were "unbelievable", saying he should "stop playing this down".
"This is an unprecedented violation of our democracy," she said.
"He [Scott Morrison] has done something that has never happened before in Australian history."
By Peta Fuller
Coles to trial ban on single-use produce bags
The ACT has been chosen for the trial by supermarket giant Coles.
The bags will be removed from all of Coles' 12 stores across the territory from September 14.
Reusable mesh bags will be available to buy and Coles says it will consider how ACT customers respond before deciding if the ban is rolled out nationally.
By Peta Fuller
Barnaby Joyce stands by Scott Morrison
Mr Joyce, who was Deputy PM at the time Scott Morrison held his five secret ministries, said the former PM hadn't done anything illegal, but it likely "wasn't a good move".
He told ABC Radio National's Patricia Karvelas:
"I don't agree with the PM taking on roles here, there and everywhere," he said.
"Mr Morrison has apologised for this, so I think he himself in reflecting on it, has come to the opinion that it probably wasn't a good move, and I agree with him."
By Peta Fuller
NSW minister announces move to retire
Senior government minister Victor Dominello has announced he'll retire from politics.
Mr Dominello says he is stepping down due to a family health issue that emerged in 2019 and has since deteriorated.
Mr Dominello was elected as the member for Ryde 14 years ago and is currently serving as the Minister for Customer Service.
He says he'll remain in his portfolio until the State Election in March.
By Peta Fuller
One big thing overnight: US Airforce tests (very) long-range missile
The US has launched a missile test from California to land near the Marshall Islands — that's in the Pacific, north-east of Australia, and 6,759 km away from the US.
The test of the unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was delayed, to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing during China's show of force near Taiwan earlier this month.
It can travel more than 9,660 kilometres.
The test showed "the readiness of US nuclear forces and provides confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent," a US military statement said, but the regular testing wasn't linked to any global event.
By Peta Fuller
More news while you snoozed
Russia says "sabotage" is to blame for a series of massive explosions at military bases in Crimea.
Ukraine hasn't officially confirmed or denied responsibility — but it would mean the nation now has the capability to strike deeper (or they're using guerrilla-style attacks)
Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and has used it to launch attacks against Ukraine in the war that began nearly six months ago.
Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak has lost a bid to get a retrial on charges of corruption linked to the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB wealth fund scandal.
He now has no other legal avenue except a final appeal against his conviction and 12-year sentence. That appeal will run this week and next.
He'll become Malaysia's first former prime minister to be jailed if he fails.
And US President Joe Biden has just signed into law a $430 billion bill that is seen as the biggest climate package in US history.
It's designed to cut domestic greenhouse gas emissions.
It will also allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for the elderly and ensure that corporations and the wealthy pay the taxes they owe.
By Peta Fuller
Coming up today
One of Donald Trump's key adversaries, Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, is facing a tough battle today as she's challenged for her party's nomination in the state of Wyoming.
She was elected in 2016 and quickly came to prominence within her party, becoming House Republican Conference Chair in 2019.
Here's the ABC's North America correspondent, Carrington Clarke:
She fell out of favour with many in her party as she turned on former US President Donald Trump for his lies about the 2020 election and subsequent role in the January 6 riot.
She's now trailing competitor Harriet Hageman by double digits according to most polls.
Her chance of success seemingly rests on enough Democrats and independents choosing to vote for her in the deeply red state.
The NSW government is expected to release more details about a multi-billion-dollar recovery plan for the flood-ravaged Northern Rivers region.
It'll also announce it's setting up a Reconstruction Authority, similar to one in Queensland.
The findings of the inquiry will be unveiled later today.
By Peta Fuller
News Australia is searching for
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Tasmanian Tiger Plan: That's the news that a Melbourne University professor says his lab intends to bring Tasmanian tigers back to life within a decade. The lab plans to edit the DNA of living cells, turning them into Tasmanian tiger cells, and using IVF and cloning techniques to make the babies
By Peta Fuller
One more thing: Monkeypox is now in... dogs
People infected with monkeypox have been warned *not* to bunk down with their pets while infected after an Italian greyhound came down with the virus.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned about transmission to animals for months but the greyhound case, documented in a report from France last week, has reminded pet owners of the risk.
The greyhound was sleeping with its owners, who had symptoms of the virus, before it too developed lesions and was diagnosed.
Meanwhile, monkeypox is about to get a new name — and despite the WHO vowing nothing 'ridiculous', people have already suggested Poxy McPoxface, TRUMP-22 or Mpox.
Why? Critics say the original name is misleading, since monkeys are not the only animal host.
