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Australia news live: parents of Christian Porter accuser support inquiry into daughter's death Australia news live: parents of Christian Porter accuser support inquiry into daughter's death
(32 minutes later)
Pressure mounts for inquiry into historical rape allegation made against attorney general as PM says there’s ‘no suggestion’ Porter will step down. Follow latest updatesPressure mounts for inquiry into historical rape allegation made against attorney general as PM says there’s ‘no suggestion’ Porter will step down. Follow latest updates
Brittany Higgins has described comments made about her by defence minister Linda Reynolds as “incredibly hurtful”.
Earlier, Scott Morrison defended comments Reynolds made referring to Higgins as a “lying cow”, saying it was something said in the heat of the moment and in a private setting.
In response to questions from our political editor, Katharine Murphy, Higgins said the comments were “incredibly hurtful”.
Higgins said:
Lawyers for abuse survivors are dismayed it took the threat of financial penalties for the Jehovah’s Witnesses to say it will join the national redress scheme.Lawyers for abuse survivors are dismayed it took the threat of financial penalties for the Jehovah’s Witnesses to say it will join the national redress scheme.
AAP reports the organisation says it will join because of new rules introduced by the federal government, which mean it would lose its charity status - and subsequent tax exemptions - for continuing to hold out. AAP reports the organisation says it will join because of new rules introduced by the federal government which mean it would lose its charity status – and subsequent tax exemptions – for continuing to hold out.
Maurice Blackburn lawyer Michelle James has welcomed the move but remains concerned about the religious group’s behaviour.Maurice Blackburn lawyer Michelle James has welcomed the move but remains concerned about the religious group’s behaviour.
The multi-billion dollar scheme was a result of the royal commission into institutional child sex abuse. It provides access to counselling, a redress payment and a direct personal response such as an apology from an institution, if the survivor wants it. She said:
The multibillion-dollar scheme was a result of the royal commission into institutional child sex abuse. It provides access to counselling, a redress payment and a direct personal response such as an apology from an institution, if the survivor wants it.
But they can’t be given redress unless the institution they were abused by has joined the scheme.But they can’t be given redress unless the institution they were abused by has joined the scheme.
James has called for maximum redress payments to increase to $200,000 from $150,000, in line with the royal commission’s recommendations. James has called for maximum redress payments to increase to $200,000 from $150,000, in line with the royal commission’s recommendations. She said:
A review of the Melbourne casino licence held by James Packer’s Crown Resorts has been called off because the Victorian government is holding a royal commission into the Southbank money pit instead.A review of the Melbourne casino licence held by James Packer’s Crown Resorts has been called off because the Victorian government is holding a royal commission into the Southbank money pit instead.
In a statement, Crown said the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation told the review, which was due to take place this year, it “will not proceed at this time”.In a statement, Crown said the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation told the review, which was due to take place this year, it “will not proceed at this time”.
The review is supposed to happen every five years but the Victorian government moved it forward after evidence of money laundering at Crown’s casinos and criminal involvement in junket operators who brought in high-rollers started to emerge during an inquiry in NSW last year.The review is supposed to happen every five years but the Victorian government moved it forward after evidence of money laundering at Crown’s casinos and criminal involvement in junket operators who brought in high-rollers started to emerge during an inquiry in NSW last year.
The company’s statement read:The company’s statement read:
Via the Australian’s Sharri Markson and News.com’s Samantha Maiden. Both claiming it as an exclusive. Not sure that part matters a lot...Via the Australian’s Sharri Markson and News.com’s Samantha Maiden. Both claiming it as an exclusive. Not sure that part matters a lot...
Councillor Kun Huang received the letter on a Monday. Among the insults about his name, the threats of death, the blame for the Covid-19 pandemic, the accusation that he had been stealing all the milk powder, buying up all the houses and bringing disease to Australia “for centuries”, the staff at the Cumberland Council noticed a name and an address. This was a race hate letter signed by its supposed perpetrator. Councillor Kun Huang received the letter on a Monday. Among the insults about his name, the threats of death, the blame for the Covid-19 pandemic, the accusation that he had been stealing all the milk powder, buying up all the houses and bringing disease to Australia “for centuries”, the staff at the Cumberland council noticed a name and an address. This was a race hate letter signed by its supposed perpetrator.
Two days later, councillor Craig Chung at the City of Sydney, councillor Christina Wu at the Georges River council and another local councillor received similar letters.Two days later, councillor Craig Chung at the City of Sydney, councillor Christina Wu at the Georges River council and another local councillor received similar letters.
The note sent to Huang, which threatened death to him and “all Chinese people”, is now being investigated by New South Wales police.The note sent to Huang, which threatened death to him and “all Chinese people”, is now being investigated by New South Wales police.
It is the latest disturbing incident in what data shows is a surge in anti-Chinese and anti-Asian sentiment in Australia during the Covid pandemic that has renewed calls for a centralised hate tracker and raised concerns it is putting people off standing for public positions. It is the latest disturbing incident in what data shows is a surge in anti-Chinese and anti-Asian sentiment in Australia during the Covid pandemic which has renewed calls for a centralised hate tracker and raised concerns it is putting people off standing for public positions.
The Lowy Institute this week released the findings of a landmark survey that found nearly one in five Chinese Australians had experienced physical racist assaults during the pandemic.The Lowy Institute this week released the findings of a landmark survey that found nearly one in five Chinese Australians had experienced physical racist assaults during the pandemic.
Read more about how threatening letters sent to Asian councillors and a surge in race hate attacks during the pandemic has renewed calls for a centralised hate tracker:Read more about how threatening letters sent to Asian councillors and a surge in race hate attacks during the pandemic has renewed calls for a centralised hate tracker:
Federal environment minister Sussan Ley has rejected calls for an independent inquiry into allegations attorney general Christian Porter raped a woman in Sydney in 1988.Federal environment minister Sussan Ley has rejected calls for an independent inquiry into allegations attorney general Christian Porter raped a woman in Sydney in 1988.
Ley said Porter’s press conference on Wednesday – when he strongly rejected the allegation saying it had “never happened” – was a “very tough day” for the family of the woman, who died last year, as well as for all survivors of sexual abuse.Ley said Porter’s press conference on Wednesday – when he strongly rejected the allegation saying it had “never happened” – was a “very tough day” for the family of the woman, who died last year, as well as for all survivors of sexual abuse.
Ley was speaking to reporters by a creek in Brisbane at the launch of the government’s National Plastics Plan. She said she had known Porter as a “colleague and a friend” for more than 10 years and watched his press conference and his “anguish was writ large for all to see”.Ley was speaking to reporters by a creek in Brisbane at the launch of the government’s National Plastics Plan. She said she had known Porter as a “colleague and a friend” for more than 10 years and watched his press conference and his “anguish was writ large for all to see”.
She said the “rule of law has prevailed” and there would be positives to come out of the review into workplace culture being conducted by finance minister Simon Birmingham, in response to the allegations from former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins that she was raped in the building.She said the “rule of law has prevailed” and there would be positives to come out of the review into workplace culture being conducted by finance minister Simon Birmingham, in response to the allegations from former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins that she was raped in the building.
Asked by the ABC if she thought Australians were ready to move on from the case, she said there were “a lot of opinions out there” and she wasn’t inclined to try and gauge a national mood.Asked by the ABC if she thought Australians were ready to move on from the case, she said there were “a lot of opinions out there” and she wasn’t inclined to try and gauge a national mood.
On working in the national parliament, she said:On working in the national parliament, she said:
The Queensland government admits it knows little about a new Russian variant of Covid-19 as it prepares to test dozens of hotel quarantine guests for the strain.The Queensland government admits it knows little about a new Russian variant of Covid-19 as it prepares to test dozens of hotel quarantine guests for the strain.
AAP reports that three people who arrived on a Qatar Airways flight in Brisbane on 17 February tested positive for the virus, with two having the Russian strain. A fourth person who was on that flight but continued to New Zealand has also tested positive.AAP reports that three people who arrived on a Qatar Airways flight in Brisbane on 17 February tested positive for the virus, with two having the Russian strain. A fourth person who was on that flight but continued to New Zealand has also tested positive.
Queensland Health has ordered 74 people who were also on that plane to extend their mandatory 14-day quarantine for another five days.Queensland Health has ordered 74 people who were also on that plane to extend their mandatory 14-day quarantine for another five days.
Health minister Yvette D’Ath said authorities acted swiftly because so little is known about the Russian strain. She said experts don’t know if it’s more contagious or if the symptoms are more severe.Health minister Yvette D’Ath said authorities acted swiftly because so little is known about the Russian strain. She said experts don’t know if it’s more contagious or if the symptoms are more severe.
She said:She said:
The health minister said the guests were tested on Thursday and they will be tested again on Saturday.The health minister said the guests were tested on Thursday and they will be tested again on Saturday.
Those who test negative will be able to leave quarantine on Monday.Those who test negative will be able to leave quarantine on Monday.
D’Ath said it wasn’t an easy decision to extend quarantine, but it would ensure the mysterious new virus variant did not get into the community.D’Ath said it wasn’t an easy decision to extend quarantine, but it would ensure the mysterious new virus variant did not get into the community.
The vaccine rollout continues with the Queensland government planning to open a number of new regional hubs when it receives the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Commonwealth.The vaccine rollout continues with the Queensland government planning to open a number of new regional hubs when it receives the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Commonwealth.
D’Ath said the vaccine wasn’t mandatory, but warned that refusing to get the jab was a health risk.D’Ath said the vaccine wasn’t mandatory, but warned that refusing to get the jab was a health risk.
Attorney general Christian Porter will soon find out whether the game of electoral musical chairs has left him without a seat, AAP reports.Attorney general Christian Porter will soon find out whether the game of electoral musical chairs has left him without a seat, AAP reports.
Porter, who represents the West Australian electorate of Pearce, has gone on sick leave following the furore over historical rape allegations, which he vehemently denies.Porter, who represents the West Australian electorate of Pearce, has gone on sick leave following the furore over historical rape allegations, which he vehemently denies.
The Australian Electoral Commission is putting the final touches to its proposed redistribution reports for WA and Victoria.The Australian Electoral Commission is putting the final touches to its proposed redistribution reports for WA and Victoria.
With WA set to lose one seat due to population shifts, one option raised with the AEC is to abolish Pearce and redistribute its voters into neighbouring seats, which have low growth projections and are below the voter quota.With WA set to lose one seat due to population shifts, one option raised with the AEC is to abolish Pearce and redistribute its voters into neighbouring seats, which have low growth projections and are below the voter quota.
Labor says the change is the least disruptive to four other seats in order to achieve the loss of one seat in the state.Labor says the change is the least disruptive to four other seats in order to achieve the loss of one seat in the state.
The Liberals have proposed the abolition of the seat of Cowan, held by Labor backbencher Anne Aly, which would make major changes to six other seats.The Liberals have proposed the abolition of the seat of Cowan, held by Labor backbencher Anne Aly, which would make major changes to six other seats.
It is understood the Victorian redistribution report, which will see it gain one seat, is due in mid-March and will be closely followed by the WA report a few weeks later.It is understood the Victorian redistribution report, which will see it gain one seat, is due in mid-March and will be closely followed by the WA report a few weeks later.
The New South Wales police have issued a long and detailed statement on their contact with the woman at the centre of historical rape allegations against attorney general Christian Porter.The New South Wales police have issued a long and detailed statement on their contact with the woman at the centre of historical rape allegations against attorney general Christian Porter.
The statement has also addressed why police did not speak to Porter, as he stated during his press conference.The statement has also addressed why police did not speak to Porter, as he stated during his press conference.
I’ll give you the statement in full:I’ll give you the statement in full:
Putting an allegation to the person of interest:Putting an allegation to the person of interest:
No new Covid-19 cases in South Australia today.No new Covid-19 cases in South Australia today.
The Northern Territory and ACT are again calling on the federal government to restore their right to make voluntary euthanasia laws, AAP reports.
NT attorney general Selena Uibo and the ACT’s human rights minister Tara Cheyne jointly wrote to the federal attorney general Christian Porter, deputy prime minister Michael McCormack and assistant regional development and territories minister Nola Marino.
They want Liberal MP Kevin Andrews’ 1996 bill banning both territories from passing legislation on voluntary euthanasia to be overturned, saying it conflicts with Australia’s human rights obligations.
Cheyne said:
All the states have either passed legislation relating to voluntary assisted dying or have a bill before their parliament but the territories are unable to consider such legislation.
NT chief minister Michael Gunner said repealing the federal law and restoring the territories’ ability to make their own decisions about important issues needn’t be controversial.
Andrews recently lost Liberal party preselection to stand again for his Victorian seat of Menzies at the next federal election.
Gunner said NT and ACT residents were being treated like second-class citizens.
Cheyne said the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guaranteed Australian citizens the right to take part in public affairs directly or through freely chosen representatives.
But people in the ACT and NT are being denied their right to participate because they’re residents of a territory.
The NT in 1995 was the first jurisdiction in the world to pass laws allowing a doctor to end the life of a terminally ill patient at the patient’s request.
The legislation permitted both physician-assisted suicide and active voluntary euthanasia in some circumstances with strict conditions.
This caused a furore nationally and internationally, generating extensive criticism and extensive support from politicians, health care professionals, religious groups, ‘pro-life’ and ‘pro-choice’ pressure groups, academics, the media and members of the general public.
Andrews’ Private Member’s Bill effectively quashed the NT law, which the Commonwealth has the power to do under the constitution.
With that, I might leave you in the capable hands of Michael McGowan (not the premier) to take you through the rest of the day’s news.
A light plane has crashed near the popular tourist town of Exmouth in Western Australia’s north-west, killing two people on board, reports AAP.
WA police say the microlight aircraft was reported overdue from an aerodrome in Exmouth at about 4.30pm local time on Wednesday.
Hours later, it was found south of Exmouth.
A recovery operation was set to commence at first light on Thursday.
Victoria will establish a $6m mental health centre for emergency service workers, premier Daniel Andrews announced today.
The centre would be delivered by Phoenix Australia, which conducts research into and advises on policy around post-traumatic stress, and will be available to emergency service personnel such as paramedics, police, with a GP referral.
I mentioned earlier today the Victorian government is working to completely rebuild the state’s mental health care system after a royal commission report found it had catastrophically failed, was inadequate for current pressures let alone future demands.
Andrews also said they would work towards paramedics taking the lead in responding to mental health incidents as opposed to relying on police; one of the royal commission’s more than 65 recommendations.
A teenage boy has died a week after being stung by a box jellyfish in far-north Queensland.
The 17-year-old died in Townsville hospital on Wednesday after being stung by the jellyfish while swimming off the tip of the Cape York Peninsula on 22 February.
He had been swimming at Patterson Point, near the village of Bamaga, when he was strung by the Chironex fleckeri jellyfish, the world’s most venomous animal.
The boy was then airlifted by the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service to Townsville hospital’s intensive care unit.
The teen died on Wednesday and police are preparing a report for the coroner.
The boy’s death is the first reported Chironex fleckeri fatality in 14 years.
We will bring you updates as soon as we can.
The NSW health minister has given an update on the male baboon that spectacularly escaped into a Sydney hospital carpark around this time last year. (I refer to the baboon era of Australia news as the “before times”.)
Hazzard says he “is very happy and he is doing well”.
But it’s worth remembering that the 16-year-old is a scientific testing baboon, so personally, I still have some questions about just how happy he truly is.
Here is Calla Wahlquist’s coverage from last year:
At the very start of the day, I mentioned yesterday news about chief of defence Angus Campbell coming under fire for telling first-year cadets to reduce their risk of being sexually assaulted by avoiding the “four As” – alcohol, out after midnight, alone and attractive.
He has now made a statement to AAP saying that sexual assault perpetrators are always to blame.
Look who else is a fan of Graham Readfearn’s zebrafish story!
Premier Daniel Andrews won’t say when international flights will be allowed to resume in Victoria, suggesting more research is needed.
He was asked about this at today’s press conference:
But Andrews confirmed the hotel quarantine workforce would be retained as it would cost more to “start from scratch”.
Also, this nearly got missed in that press conference but it looks like the first doses of AstraZeneca will be administered in South Australia tomorrow.
These will consist of some of the 300,000 vaccine doses imported from overseas as the TGA is still working through the approval process for domestically manufactured AZ doses.
The ABC is reporting these first doses will be delivered to frontline health workers in the regional town of Murray Bridge, east of Adelaide.