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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
The Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi has rebuffed a request from the Sky News Australia contributor Lauren Southern to remove and apologise for a tweet that the rightwing commentator’s lawyers have argued is “false and defamatory”, reports my colleague Daniel Hurst.
We reported earlier that former government staffer Brittany Higgins has hit back at her former employer Linda Reynolds’ referring to her as a “lying cow”.
Higgins says those comments are “incredibly hurtful” and “never excusable”.
Now, it’s understood that Higgins has engaged the services of Rebekah Giles – a repuational risk specialist with her own firm.
Giles has written to Reynolds signalling defamation action unless an apology is forthcoming.
Guardian Australia asked Reynolds’ office whether the minister would apologise to Higgins and retract the comments in the light of potential legal action.
Her spokesperson replied: “I refer you to the statement provided by the Minister last night.”
New Zealand media is reporting that police have arrested two men in Christchurch over alleged online threats against the two mosques targeted during that city’s devastating terrorist attack two years ago.New Zealand media is reporting that police have arrested two men in Christchurch over alleged online threats against the two mosques targeted during that city’s devastating terrorist attack two years ago.
NewsHub reports police arrested the men after threatening a terrorist attack involving car bombs against Al Noor and Linwood mosques on 15 March, the second anniversary of the massacre at the two mosques.NewsHub reports police arrested the men after threatening a terrorist attack involving car bombs against Al Noor and Linwood mosques on 15 March, the second anniversary of the massacre at the two mosques.
According to reports, police carried out search warrants at the properties in St Albans and Linwood shortly before 6pm on Thursday. Two men were arrested, but have yet to be charged.According to reports, police carried out search warrants at the properties in St Albans and Linwood shortly before 6pm on Thursday. Two men were arrested, but have yet to be charged.
“We take all threats of this nature seriously and we are working closely with our Muslim community,” the Canterbury district commander, Superintendent John Price, told NewsHub.“We take all threats of this nature seriously and we are working closely with our Muslim community,” the Canterbury district commander, Superintendent John Price, told NewsHub.
“Any messages of hate or people wanting to cause harm in our community will not be tolerated – it’s not the Kiwi way.”“Any messages of hate or people wanting to cause harm in our community will not be tolerated – it’s not the Kiwi way.”
Fifty-one people were murdered and a further 40 injured at the mosques in 2019.Fifty-one people were murdered and a further 40 injured at the mosques in 2019.
Another exclusive via Sharri Markson at the Australian. Brittany Higgins is reportedly considering defamation action against the defence minister, Linda Reynolds.Another exclusive via Sharri Markson at the Australian. Brittany Higgins is reportedly considering defamation action against the defence minister, Linda Reynolds.
Per AAP, international flights into Victoria remain on hold, with the premier unable to say when they will resume.Per AAP, international flights into Victoria remain on hold, with the premier unable to say when they will resume.
They were paused during last month’s five-day lockdown and on Thursday Daniel Andrews said more research was needed before that changes. They were paused during last month’s five-day lockdown and on Thursday the premier, Daniel Andrews, said more research was needed before that changes.
Andrews also confirmed the hotel quarantine workforce would be retained, saying it would cost a lot more to “start from scratch”.Andrews also confirmed the hotel quarantine workforce would be retained, saying it would cost a lot more to “start from scratch”.
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, says he does not support the extension of a petroleum exploration licence that would allow for gas exploration off the coast of NSW between Sydney and Port Stephens.The prime minister, Scott Morrison, says he does not support the extension of a petroleum exploration licence that would allow for gas exploration off the coast of NSW between Sydney and Port Stephens.
The permit, known as Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP11) expired last month. The permit holders, Advent Energy and Bounty Gas, have sought to have the licence renewed for exploratory drilling.The permit, known as Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP11) expired last month. The permit holders, Advent Energy and Bounty Gas, have sought to have the licence renewed for exploratory drilling.
A series of MPs, including the Liberal MP Jason Falinski and fellow moderate Dave Sharma, want the application rejected. The NSW deputy premier, John Barilaro, has also said it should not be renewed.A series of MPs, including the Liberal MP Jason Falinski and fellow moderate Dave Sharma, want the application rejected. The NSW deputy premier, John Barilaro, has also said it should not be renewed.
The decision rests with the resources minister, Keith Pitt. On Thursday during a visit to Port Stephens, Morrison was asked for his view.The decision rests with the resources minister, Keith Pitt. On Thursday during a visit to Port Stephens, Morrison was asked for his view.
Reporter: “Are you saying that you don’t support the extension of that licence?”Reporter: “Are you saying that you don’t support the extension of that licence?”
Morrison: “I am. Pretty clearly.”Morrison: “I am. Pretty clearly.”
Reporter: “That will make some of our tourist operators very happy.”Reporter: “That will make some of our tourist operators very happy.”
Morrison: “It’s going to make me very happy. I think that’s the right decision.”Morrison: “It’s going to make me very happy. I think that’s the right decision.”
Pitt hasn’t made his official decision yet and Morrison said the government was working through the matter.Pitt hasn’t made his official decision yet and Morrison said the government was working through the matter.
A teenager has died from a box jellyfish sting in Cape York, with marine biologist and jellyfish expert Dr Lisa-Ann Gerswhin saying it was a tragedy that could have been avoided.A teenager has died from a box jellyfish sting in Cape York, with marine biologist and jellyfish expert Dr Lisa-Ann Gerswhin saying it was a tragedy that could have been avoided.
The teenager was stung at Patterson Point, near Bamaga, on 22 February and died in hospital on 1 March.The teenager was stung at Patterson Point, near Bamaga, on 22 February and died in hospital on 1 March.
Dr Gerswhin said Australia “needed to do better” when it came to resourcing and educating remote communities on the dangers of box jellyfish.Dr Gerswhin said Australia “needed to do better” when it came to resourcing and educating remote communities on the dangers of box jellyfish.
The teenager’s death marked the first fatality from a box jellyfish sting since 2006.The teenager’s death marked the first fatality from a box jellyfish sting since 2006.
Gladys Berejiklian has faced a barrage of questions about her five-year covert relationship with former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire at a fiery budget estimates hearing at the New South Wales parliament, AAP reports.Gladys Berejiklian has faced a barrage of questions about her five-year covert relationship with former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire at a fiery budget estimates hearing at the New South Wales parliament, AAP reports.
At times the NSW premier looked uncomfortable and flushed as she was grilled about her ex-lover, who she was in a relationship with until last year.At times the NSW premier looked uncomfortable and flushed as she was grilled about her ex-lover, who she was in a relationship with until last year.
An independent commission against corruption’s investigation into the former Wagga Wagga Liberal MP is ongoing, and the premier appeared as a witness during hearings last year.An independent commission against corruption’s investigation into the former Wagga Wagga Liberal MP is ongoing, and the premier appeared as a witness during hearings last year.
The premier is not accused of any wrongdoing, but on Thursday was repeatedly asked about the timing of her relationship with Maguire and why she didn’t declare it earlier.The premier is not accused of any wrongdoing, but on Thursday was repeatedly asked about the timing of her relationship with Maguire and why she didn’t declare it earlier.
Labor’s Adam Searle accused Berejiklian of failing to declare a conflict of interest when she met with her then-lover when she was the NSW treasurer.Labor’s Adam Searle accused Berejiklian of failing to declare a conflict of interest when she met with her then-lover when she was the NSW treasurer.
The 2016 meeting was to discuss the funding of a highway 140km from Maguire’s electorate but within metres of his new investment property at Ivanhoe.The 2016 meeting was to discuss the funding of a highway 140km from Maguire’s electorate but within metres of his new investment property at Ivanhoe.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Maguire paid $8,000 for the property a few hundred metres from the Cobb Highway in far western NSW.The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Maguire paid $8,000 for the property a few hundred metres from the Cobb Highway in far western NSW.
Searle accused the premier of making decisions to fund the project that would “benefit” her “boyfriend”.Searle accused the premier of making decisions to fund the project that would “benefit” her “boyfriend”.
Berejiklian said the suggestion was “a disgusting proposition”, laughable, wrong “and frankly offensive”.Berejiklian said the suggestion was “a disgusting proposition”, laughable, wrong “and frankly offensive”.
She said the decision to fund the highway was one for the roads minister, and the government – with Labor’s support – had determined the highway was a priority project several years before.She said the decision to fund the highway was one for the roads minister, and the government – with Labor’s support – had determined the highway was a priority project several years before.
But Searle said Berejiklian should have declared her relationship with her colleague before awarding more than $40,000 in grants to his electorate.But Searle said Berejiklian should have declared her relationship with her colleague before awarding more than $40,000 in grants to his electorate.
He asked:He asked:
The premier replied:The premier replied:
Berejiklian insisted she had always acted in the public interest and had not done anything wrong, and that all funding arrangements had to go through her department.Berejiklian insisted she had always acted in the public interest and had not done anything wrong, and that all funding arrangements had to go through her department.
Searle also asked when her relationship with Maguire had begun:Searle also asked when her relationship with Maguire had begun:
The premier responded saying: “Those matters have been canvassed.”The premier responded saying: “Those matters have been canvassed.”
But Searle pressed the point:But Searle pressed the point:
Berejiklian dismissed the question saying she had responded to the question during last year’s Icac hearings.Berejiklian dismissed the question saying she had responded to the question during last year’s Icac hearings.
She was also asked why she took annual leave on the day Mr Maguire was scheduled to appear at Icac on 13 July 2018.She was also asked why she took annual leave on the day Mr Maguire was scheduled to appear at Icac on 13 July 2018.
The NSW energy and environment minister, Matt Kean, has taken a not-so-subtle shot at the Morrison government over its climate policies after a meeting with the UK’s energy and clean growth minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan.The NSW energy and environment minister, Matt Kean, has taken a not-so-subtle shot at the Morrison government over its climate policies after a meeting with the UK’s energy and clean growth minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
Kean and Trevelyan had a teleconference on Wednesday in which the two ministers had a “substantive and productive discussion” about the ambition of both governments to reach net zero emissions by 2050.Kean and Trevelyan had a teleconference on Wednesday in which the two ministers had a “substantive and productive discussion” about the ambition of both governments to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Kean said the ministers talked about their respective landmark emissions policies - NSW passed a major renewable energy bill in November - and the role sustainable financing will play in reaching net zero emissions.Kean said the ministers talked about their respective landmark emissions policies - NSW passed a major renewable energy bill in November - and the role sustainable financing will play in reaching net zero emissions.
In remarks highlighting how Australia’s states are filling the gap in the absence of a net zero target nationally, Kean said he had raised the role “state and sub-national governments are playing in driving decarbonisation”.In remarks highlighting how Australia’s states are filling the gap in the absence of a net zero target nationally, Kean said he had raised the role “state and sub-national governments are playing in driving decarbonisation”.
The Morrison government was accused last week of “shamefully doing nothing” to increase its climate targets ahead of the 26th United Nations climate conference in Glasgow in November (COP26)The Morrison government was accused last week of “shamefully doing nothing” to increase its climate targets ahead of the 26th United Nations climate conference in Glasgow in November (COP26)
Kean said he and Trevelyan discussed “the contributions both governments intend to make in the lead up to and as part of COP26”.Kean said he and Trevelyan discussed “the contributions both governments intend to make in the lead up to and as part of COP26”.
The ministers have agreed to stay in contact in the lead-up to the Glasgow meeting and to establish a working group for government officials to collaborate on reducing emissions in ways that support economic growth.The ministers have agreed to stay in contact in the lead-up to the Glasgow meeting and to establish a working group for government officials to collaborate on reducing emissions in ways that support economic growth.
Back to Anthony Albanese, he says it’s “extraordinary” that Scott Morrison did not read the brief of allegations sent to his office.Back to Anthony Albanese, he says it’s “extraordinary” that Scott Morrison did not read the brief of allegations sent to his office.
Morrison, for his part, has said he did the appropriate thing in forwarding the documents to the Australian federal police.Morrison, for his part, has said he did the appropriate thing in forwarding the documents to the Australian federal police.
Albanese:Albanese:
Labor MP Daniel Mulino has previously made public that he was aware of the allegation against the cabinet minister.Labor MP Daniel Mulino has previously made public that he was aware of the allegation against the cabinet minister.
Now that Christian Porter has identified himself (and denied the allegation), Mulino has issued a fuller statement about how he was aware of the allegation.Now that Christian Porter has identified himself (and denied the allegation), Mulino has issued a fuller statement about how he was aware of the allegation.
Mulino said:Mulino said:
The opposition leader, Anthony Albanese, is speaking in Queensland. He’s calling on the prime minister, Scott Morrison, to hold an independent inquiry into the allegations levelled against the attorney general, Christian Porter.The opposition leader, Anthony Albanese, is speaking in Queensland. He’s calling on the prime minister, Scott Morrison, to hold an independent inquiry into the allegations levelled against the attorney general, Christian Porter.
Here’s what Albanese had to say:Here’s what Albanese had to say:
He says that unless an inquiry is held, Porter will continue to face examination but it will only come via the media.He says that unless an inquiry is held, Porter will continue to face examination but it will only come via the media.