Hi there. It's Monday, August 22 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
Let's start here: The latest on Scott Morrison's secret ministries
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed he's received legal advice from the solicitor-general into Scott Morrison's secret appointment to five ministries.
Mr Albanese requested the advice last week after it was revealed the former prime minister had appointed himself to five additional portfolios — health, finance, treasury, home affairs and industry, science and resources — in secret between March 2020 and May 2021.
Speaking in Sydney, Mr Albanese said he would be briefed by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary on Monday afternoon and would share the advice with cabinet tomorrow, before making it public.
Mr Albanese has also flagged a separate review into Mr Morrison's actions, which has won the support of Liberal backbencher Bridget Archer.
Meanwhile, the Greens say there needs to be a broader inquiry that also looks into the role of the public service and the governor-general.
We heard a lot about a massive fentanyl drug bust
ICYMI, the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force have intercepted 11 kilograms of the opioid fentanyl, hidden inside machinery that was sent to Melbourne from Canada.
The AFP and ABF also seized 30kg of methamphetamine in the same machinery bust last December.
The AFP says the amount of the potentially deadly opioid amounts to more than 5 million doses, while the methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $27 million.
It's the largest amount of fentanyl ever seized by Australian authorities.
"So to have a detection of 11kg pure is just quite frankly extraordinary," ABF Commander James Watson said.
The AFP, ABF and department of Home Affairs are working to identify those responsible for importing the drugs.
News alerts you might have missed
- An ABC investigation found a key shareholder in Australia's most expensive casino development, the Star Casino in Brisbane, has a long history of association with organised crime figures and gambling regulators around the world.
- The Solomon Islands government has complained to Australia's High Commissioner after the ABC's Four Corners program explored how China had been rapidly increasing its influence in the Pacific Island nation. The government reportedly considered it part of a deliberate effort by Australian media outlets to undermine the government and damage ties between Honiara and Beijing.
What Australia has been searching for online
- Qantas: CEO Alan Joyce has apologised to customers after months of flight cancellations, delays and luggage mishandling, and is offering Qantas Frequent Flyers discount flight vouchers.
- Prince Andrew: The royal will be the subject of a satirical TV musical that will "re-imagine" the disastrous 2019 interview discussing his ties with late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that led to him stepping down from his royal duties. UK broadcaster Channel 4 will show the 60-minute musical but has not announced an air date.
- Dayne Zorko: The Brisbane Lions captain won't face sanctions for his sledging that reduced Melbourne player Harrison Petty to tears during their clash on Friday. Both the Lions and Zorko quickly apologised after the incident at the Gabba, with the AFL not set to pursue the matter further.
One more thing
It might be House of the Dragon day, but HBO Max has also given us a sneak peek of other shows that will be hitting streaming services soon — including season two of The White Lotus.
They haven't given much away, except this season will be based in Sicily and will star Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, Theo James and Tom Hollander.
No release date has dropped yet, but you can catch the teaser trailer for the show (and stacks more) below.
You're up to date
We'll be back with more tomorrow.
ABC/wires
