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Australia news live: Morrison says he will welcome back Porter and says 'rule of law' must prevail Australia news live: Morrison says he will welcome back Christian Porter and '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 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 updates
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.
Morrison also clarified Reynolds’ comments were not referring to Higgins’ core allegation of sexual assault, but instead about her characterisation of the level of support by the government after the alleged rape:
Morrison has been asked about reports that defence minister Linda Reynolds called alleged rape victim and former staffer Brittany Higgins a “lying cow”.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 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: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.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:Scott Morrison says Christian Porter will not be retiring:
Questions have now turned to Porter:Questions have now turned to Porter:
Reporter:Reporter:
Morrison:Morrison:
Reporter:Reporter:
Morrison: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.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.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 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 will take questions about this soon, but for now, we are back to discussing manufacturing.
Morrison speaking about Porter:Morrison speaking about Porter:
Morrison is now addressing the comments made by attorney general Christian Porter in his press conference yesterday: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.
He said batch testing from AstraZeneca vaccine rollout will begin tomorrow:
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 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:
In extremely important news Australian scientists have managed to get baby fish to bust a move to MC Hammer classic.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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: