Hello, it's Monday, June 20. Here's what you need to get caught up on today's news.
One thing to know: the Attorney-General has reacted to the ABC's child protection investigation
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said he was "deeply concerned" after an ABC investigation revealed children were being raped and neglected in government care.
Here were some of the main points from the investigation:
- The ABC heard from more than 700 people
- More than 200 of those were current and former child protection workers with intimate knowledge about how the system operates
- Some of them alleged departmental misconduct and manipulation of statistics about children in care
- The investigation revealed some children were at risk of more harm in care than before
What happens now? The Attorney-General, along with Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth, will hold a meeting with national children's commissioner Anne Hollonds to determine what action should be taken to protect children.
We heard a lot today about a 'capacity mechanism' scheme
The Energy Security Board has proposed a "capacity mechanism" scheme in which power generators would be paid if they could guarantee power supply.
Right now, generators in the National Electricity Market, which serves the east coast and South Australia, are only paid for the electricity they produce.
Under the draft plan, generators would also be paid to be available when needed.
Critics have pointed out the plan includes coal and gas operators, and could be used to prop up the industry.
Federal Greens leader Adam Bandt said any scheme that helped to keep coal and gas-fired generators running longer could not be supported.
"Paying them to stay in the system for longer is only going to prolong the problems and also prolong the transition to renewables," he said.
But Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the plan would primarily support clean-energy sources.
"We will develop a capacity mechanism which works for the task at hand, which is to ensure reliability as we undertake this massive transformation in our energy grid to being much more renewably focused."
Under the plan, states and territories can opt to exclude suppliers if they wish.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said a capacity energy market operating in his state would prioritise zero-emissions technologies over fossil fuels.
The news Australia is searching for: Russia Ukraine war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country is preparing for Russia to escalate its attacks this week.
That's because an EU summit is scheduled for later this week to consider whether to endorse Ukraine's application to join.
Mr Zelenskyy said he expected Russian troops to intensify its attacks at the meeting drew closer:
"Obviously, we should expect greater hostile activity from Russia. Purposefully, demonstratively. This week exactly.
"And not only against Ukraine, but also against other European countries. We are preparing. We are ready. We are warning partners."
News you might have missed
- Clive Palmer's United Australia Party has won its only federal seat, beating One Nation and Legalise Cannabis candidates for the Senate spot.
- Australian swimming champion Cate Campbell has supported FINA's restrictions on transgender athletes, saying fairness is a "cornerstone" of sport.
That's it for now
We'll be back tomorrow with more.
ABC/wires
