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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/mar/04/australia-news-live-linda-reynolds-brittany-higgins-christian-porter-scott-morrison-inquiry-coronavirus-health-vaccine
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| Australia news live: Morrison says he will welcome back Porter and says 'rule of law' must prevail | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Pressure mounts for inquiry into historical rape allegation made against attorney general as PM says there’s ‘no suggestion’ he Porter will step down. Follow latest updates | |
| Morrison has been asked about reports that defence minister Linda Reynolds called alleged rape victim and former staffer Brittany Higgins a “lying cow”. | |
| Morrison confirmed she made “offensive remarks” but say Reynolds apologised to staff not long after, and before they were made public. | |
| Morrison said the comments were made during a stressful week: | |
| I couldn’t hear the question but Morrison is now discussing the timeline of when his office received key documents about the historical rape allegations level against Christian Porter. | |
| Scott Morrison says Christian Porter will not be retiring: | |
| Questions have now turned to Porter: | |
| Reporter: | |
| Morrison: | |
| Reporter: | |
| Morrison: | |
| A reporter has asked Morrison about the UK energy minister’s calls for a more ambitious emission reduction target from the Australian federal government. | |
| OK, I guess I will bring you some manufacturing news after all, given this bit is lasting longer than I expected. | |
| Morrison has been asked if the global demand for coal is at risk given an increased appetite for renewables: | |
| Morrison will take questions about this soon, but for now, we are back to discussing manufacturing. | |
| Morrison speaking about Porter: | |
| Morrison is now addressing the comments made by attorney general Christian Porter in his press conference yesterday: | |
| The prime minister is in the Hunter Valley to talk about an industry-led economic recovery from Covid-19, but he has quickly moved on to other topics. | The prime minister is in the Hunter Valley to talk about an industry-led economic recovery from Covid-19, but he has quickly moved on to other topics. |
| He said batch testing from AstraZeneca vaccine rollout will begin tomorrow: | He said batch testing from AstraZeneca vaccine rollout will begin tomorrow: |
| The prime minister is speaking now from Tomago in NSW. | The prime minister is speaking now from Tomago in NSW. |
| The federal government’s fourth rounds of economic support payments, worth around $1.3bn in total, will arrive in bank accounts this week says the treasurer. | The federal government’s fourth rounds of economic support payments, worth around $1.3bn in total, will arrive in bank accounts this week says the treasurer. |
| The payment of $250 will be automatically paid to individuals living in Australia who received eligible payments, including age or disability pension, carer allowance or held a concession card on 26 February 2021. | The payment of $250 will be automatically paid to individuals living in Australia who received eligible payments, including age or disability pension, carer allowance or held a concession card on 26 February 2021. |
| Josh Frydenberg has put out a statement this morning: | Josh Frydenberg has put out a statement this morning: |
| In extremely important news Australian scientists have managed to get baby fish to bust a move to MC Hammer classic. | In extremely important news Australian scientists have managed to get baby fish to bust a move to MC Hammer classic. |
| This from Graham Readfearn: | This from Graham Readfearn: |
| Senator Jacqui Lambie has had some strong words this morning about defence minister Linda Reynolds, who has not denied claims that she called her former staffer and alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins a “lying cow” after Higgins told the media the government’s response was inadequate. | Senator Jacqui Lambie has had some strong words this morning about defence minister Linda Reynolds, who has not denied claims that she called her former staffer and alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins a “lying cow” after Higgins told the media the government’s response was inadequate. |
| Lambie told Sky News this was the end of Reynolds career: | Lambie told Sky News this was the end of Reynolds career: |
| Reynolds said in a statement that she “never questioned Ms Higgins’ account of her alleged sexual assault” but did “comment on news reports regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented”. | Reynolds said in a statement that she “never questioned Ms Higgins’ account of her alleged sexual assault” but did “comment on news reports regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented”. |
| Former prime minister John Howard told Syndey radio station 2GB that he supports the government’s decision not to stand down Christian Porter or conduct an independent inquiry into allegations of historical rape. | Former prime minister John Howard told Syndey radio station 2GB that he supports the government’s decision not to stand down Christian Porter or conduct an independent inquiry into allegations of historical rape. |
| No cases in Victoria for the 6th day in a row, but perhaps more interestingly they have announced they have now conducted five million tests since the start of the pandemic. | No cases in Victoria for the 6th day in a row, but perhaps more interestingly they have announced they have now conducted five million tests since the start of the pandemic. |
| The state’s population is only 6.36 million, although I reckon I account for at least, like, eight of those tests. | The state’s population is only 6.36 million, although I reckon I account for at least, like, eight of those tests. |
| Here is a bit more from Penny Wong’s interview with RN this morning, when she calls for an independent inquiry into the allegations leveled again Christian Porter. | Here is a bit more from Penny Wong’s interview with RN this morning, when she calls for an independent inquiry into the allegations leveled again Christian Porter. |
| The Victorian Maritime Union of Australia has warned that holes in Covid-19 testing systems at shipping ports risks a repeat of the state’s hotel quarantine disaster, reports AAP. | The Victorian Maritime Union of Australia has warned that holes in Covid-19 testing systems at shipping ports risks a repeat of the state’s hotel quarantine disaster, reports AAP. |
| MUA Victoria deputy branch secretary David Ball says while testing is mandatory at some wharfs for workers he is worried that international sailors aren’t being tested on boats: | MUA Victoria deputy branch secretary David Ball says while testing is mandatory at some wharfs for workers he is worried that international sailors aren’t being tested on boats: |
| The union said Victoria is the first state to introduce mandatory tests for wharfies and other workers at ports of entry. | The union said Victoria is the first state to introduce mandatory tests for wharfies and other workers at ports of entry. |
| While he does not oppose testing port workers, Ball wants national testing of all international seafarers as they arrive at Australian ports. | While he does not oppose testing port workers, Ball wants national testing of all international seafarers as they arrive at Australian ports. |
| Once Australian maritime workers have been infected with Covid, it is already too late, with those workers potentially spreading this virus to family, friends, coworkers, and the broader community,” Ball said in a union statement: | Once Australian maritime workers have been infected with Covid, it is already too late, with those workers potentially spreading this virus to family, friends, coworkers, and the broader community,” Ball said in a union statement: |
| For those who have just sat down at their desk this morning and want to get up to date on the reports that defence minister Linda Reynolds called alleged rape victim and former staffer Brittany Higgins a “lying cow”, Guardian political editor Katharine Murphy has the full story. | |
| You can read her report here: | You can read her report here: |