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| Australia news live: Daniel Andrews in hospital for X-rays after fall; Oprah interview prompts renewed calls for republic | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Follow latest updates | |
| The Victorian opposition leader, Michael O’Brien, sent his well-wishes to Daniel Andrews on Twitter as the premier is taken to hospital as a precaution after a “concerning” fall. | |
| The Australian part of Greensill Capital, the Bundaberg-headquartered financier that bankrolls the Whyalla steel mill, among other things, has followed its UK arm into administration. | |
| It’s not clear yet what impact this will have on the Whyalla mill, which is owned by British businessman Sanjeev Gupta and employs thousands of people. We’ve gone to Gupta’s company, GFG, seeking comment. | |
| As recently as Friday, GFG was saying it was not concerned and was working on refinancing its business. | |
| In addition to financing Gupta’s operations around the world, Greensill engaged in what’s called supply chain financing or reverse factoring, where suppliers to big companies get paid early (or on time) in return for Greensill taking a cut. | |
| As we reported last week, some $10bn in insurance backing these deals is under investigation. | |
| During a court case over some of the insurance, Greensill said tens of thousands of jobs were at risk if it collapsed. | |
| The UK arm, which does most of the financing work, went into administration overnight, with accounting firm Grant Thornton doing the job. | |
| Grant Thornton’s local arm has the job here too. The Australian operation is confined to Greensill’s parent company, which Grant Thornton said in a statement “provides administration and head office support to the group but operates only in a limited capacity”. | |
| In a statement, the administrator, Matt Byrnes, said: | |
| The boyfriend of a 21-year-old woman found dead in a shallow grave in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges has been charged with murder and failing to report a death, reports AAP. | |
| The woman was reported missing on Saturday and on Monday her body was found by detectives in a shallow grave at Moralana Creek, north of Hawker, police said. | |
| Her 20-year-old boyfriend was arrested on Sunday and had taken detectives to the grave site. | |
| The Kurralta Park man is set to appear in Port Augusta magistrates court on Tuesday. | |
| Morrison has been talking a lot about a book by Bill Gates he read while on holidays that talks about “driving the nexus between innovation, supply and demand” when it comes to energy. (Whatever that means.) | |
| Prime minister Scott Morrison has been speaking at a business breakfast in Sydney this morning, where among other things he annouced the expansion of the apprenticeship commencement wage subsidy. | |
| He is now discussing Australia’s energy plan in the wake of climate change: | |
| If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it’s unlikely that you are a sacoglossan sea slug (apologies to Rudyard Kipling). | If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it’s unlikely that you are a sacoglossan sea slug (apologies to Rudyard Kipling). |
| Scientists in Japan have discovered that this species of sea slug can decapitate itself and then regrow an entirely new body, complete with a beating heart and other vital organs. | Scientists in Japan have discovered that this species of sea slug can decapitate itself and then regrow an entirely new body, complete with a beating heart and other vital organs. |
| The process, from shedding all of itself below the neck to regrowing a new body, took less than a month, in an extreme example of a process known as autotomy. | The process, from shedding all of itself below the neck to regrowing a new body, took less than a month, in an extreme example of a process known as autotomy. |
| Sayaka Mitoh, of Nara Women’s University, said: “We were surprised to see the head moving just after autotomy.” | Sayaka Mitoh, of Nara Women’s University, said: “We were surprised to see the head moving just after autotomy.” |
| You can read the full (and very strange) story below: | You can read the full (and very strange) story below: |
| OK, the Victorian premier’s spokeswoman has confirmed to me that Daniel Andrews fell while getting ready for work today. | OK, the Victorian premier’s spokeswoman has confirmed to me that Daniel Andrews fell while getting ready for work today. |
| He has not sustained any head injuries but he has gone to the hospital to get X-rays as a precaution. We don’t know exactly what his injuries are at this point but they don’t appear to be serious. | |
| Deputy premier James Merlino will take over today as acting premier and will conduct the press conference planned for about 9.30am in Andrews’ place. | Deputy premier James Merlino will take over today as acting premier and will conduct the press conference planned for about 9.30am in Andrews’ place. |
| This is expected to be an important press conference with the Victorian government slated to launch a “truth-telling” commission into the current day effects of colonisation on Victoria’s Indigenous community. This inquiry, backed by the powers of a royal commission, is intended to help guide the state’s treaty negotiations. | |
| The ABC is reporting that the Victorian premier has been taken to hospital after a fall. | The ABC is reporting that the Victorian premier has been taken to hospital after a fall. |
| I will bring you more updates as soon as I can. | I will bring you more updates as soon as I can. |
| In a win for the Australian film industry, a romcom starring Oscar winners Julia Roberts and George Clooney will be shot in Queensland this year thanks to a federal art program, reports AAP. | In a win for the Australian film industry, a romcom starring Oscar winners Julia Roberts and George Clooney will be shot in Queensland this year thanks to a federal art program, reports AAP. |
| The film, Ticket to Paradise, has attracted a $6.4m grant under the location incentive program and is expected to generate more than 270 crew and cast jobs. | The film, Ticket to Paradise, has attracted a $6.4m grant under the location incentive program and is expected to generate more than 270 crew and cast jobs. |
| It will be directed by Ol Parker (know for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) and produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title. | It will be directed by Ol Parker (know for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) and produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title. |
| Bevan released a statement on Tuesday: | Bevan released a statement on Tuesday: |
| Filming will begin in November in the Whitsundays and southern Queensland. | Filming will begin in November in the Whitsundays and southern Queensland. |
| The federal government says so far it has distributed more than $216m under the program to attract 22 productions to Australia. | The federal government says so far it has distributed more than $216m under the program to attract 22 productions to Australia. |
| Australia’s strong Covid-19 response has also attracted productions, as one of the only filming locations without restrictive physical distancing restrictions. | Australia’s strong Covid-19 response has also attracted productions, as one of the only filming locations without restrictive physical distancing restrictions. |
| Julie Bishop has criticised how ministers have handled the sexual assault allegation raised by Brittany Higgins and the rape allegation against attorney general Christian Porter. | Julie Bishop has criticised how ministers have handled the sexual assault allegation raised by Brittany Higgins and the rape allegation against attorney general Christian Porter. |
| Porter has denied the allegation, saying: “It didn’t happen.” | Porter has denied the allegation, saying: “It didn’t happen.” |
| In a rebuke to both defence minister Linda Reynolds and skills and employment minister Michaelia Cash for their handling of the Higgins complaint, the former deputy Liberal leader told ABC TV she would have felt a “duty” to report an allegation of rape to the police. | In a rebuke to both defence minister Linda Reynolds and skills and employment minister Michaelia Cash for their handling of the Higgins complaint, the former deputy Liberal leader told ABC TV she would have felt a “duty” to report an allegation of rape to the police. |
| The comments echo Scott Morrison’s rebuke of Reynolds and his own staff, who Bishop suggested had “withheld” information the prime minister would “want to know about”. | The comments echo Scott Morrison’s rebuke of Reynolds and his own staff, who Bishop suggested had “withheld” information the prime minister would “want to know about”. |
| You can read the full story below: | You can read the full story below: |
| Queensland emergency services have found the body of a two-year-old girl after she was reported missing on a rural property, AAP reports. | Queensland emergency services have found the body of a two-year-old girl after she was reported missing on a rural property, AAP reports. |
| The girl had been last seen on a large property in Tara, in Queensland’s western downs, on Monday afternoon. | The girl had been last seen on a large property in Tara, in Queensland’s western downs, on Monday afternoon. |
| Police said her body had been found in a dam at a rural private property about 1am on Tuesday. They said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. | Police said her body had been found in a dam at a rural private property about 1am on Tuesday. They said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. |
| A report will be prepared for the coroner. | A report will be prepared for the coroner. |
| And, of course, the interview closed with a question about Christian Porter. | And, of course, the interview closed with a question about Christian Porter. |
| Malcolm Turnbull has repeated his view that there is a need for an independent inquiry into the contested allegation of rape levelled against the attorney general: | Malcolm Turnbull has repeated his view that there is a need for an independent inquiry into the contested allegation of rape levelled against the attorney general: |
| Malcolm Turnbull has conceded that public momentum isn’t really on the republic movement’s side; damning tell-all interview or not. | Malcolm Turnbull has conceded that public momentum isn’t really on the republic movement’s side; damning tell-all interview or not. |
| But he reckons things might change at the end of the Queen’s reign, when Australia comes face to face with the prospect of Prince Charles as our head of state: | But he reckons things might change at the end of the Queen’s reign, when Australia comes face to face with the prospect of Prince Charles as our head of state: |
| Malcolm Turnbull has called for Australia to hold a two-step plebiscite to determine how Australia wants to elect a president, before voting on how to ratify this into the constitution. | Malcolm Turnbull has called for Australia to hold a two-step plebiscite to determine how Australia wants to elect a president, before voting on how to ratify this into the constitution. |
| He said the debate surrounding to choose a president killed the last republic referendum: | He said the debate surrounding to choose a president killed the last republic referendum: |
| Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull is doubling down on his calls for Australia to become a republic, speaking now on ABC News Breakfast: | Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull is doubling down on his calls for Australia to become a republic, speaking now on ABC News Breakfast: |
| The government has announced it will uncap the boosting apprenticeship commencement wage subsidy. | The government has announced it will uncap the boosting apprenticeship commencement wage subsidy. |
| The expansion of the program is expected to reach 70,000 new apprentices and cost a total of $1.2bn. | The expansion of the program is expected to reach 70,000 new apprentices and cost a total of $1.2bn. |
| In the October budget the Coalition pledged to cover half the wages of 100,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships. | In the October budget the Coalition pledged to cover half the wages of 100,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships. |
| It now says that 100,000 allocation has been achieved in just five months. The program will now be fully demand-driven, with any apprentices and trainees signed up before 30 September 2021 eligible for subsidies. | It now says that 100,000 allocation has been achieved in just five months. The program will now be fully demand-driven, with any apprentices and trainees signed up before 30 September 2021 eligible for subsidies. |
| Scott Morrison said: | Scott Morrison said: |
| Good morning, Matilda Boseley here to guide you through this gloomy Tuesday. (I don’t know if it’s gloomy where you are, but it’s miserable in Melbourne so you all have to suffer along with me.) | Good morning, Matilda Boseley here to guide you through this gloomy Tuesday. (I don’t know if it’s gloomy where you are, but it’s miserable in Melbourne so you all have to suffer along with me.) |
| New federal government support packages and the fallout from the respective British royal and Australian government scandals are dominating the headlines so far today. | New federal government support packages and the fallout from the respective British royal and Australian government scandals are dominating the headlines so far today. |
| If there is something you reckon I’ve missed or think should be in the blog but isn’t, shoot me a message on Twitter @MatildaBoseley or email me at matilda.boseley@theguardian.com. | If there is something you reckon I’ve missed or think should be in the blog but isn’t, shoot me a message on Twitter @MatildaBoseley or email me at matilda.boseley@theguardian.com. |
| Now I’m sure by now you have all seen the Harry and Meghan interview with Oprah Winfrey (and if you haven’t check out my TikTok explaining all the important bombshells). Well, it looks as though there is a chance the allegations of racism from within the palace could reignite Australia’s dormant republican debate. | Now I’m sure by now you have all seen the Harry and Meghan interview with Oprah Winfrey (and if you haven’t check out my TikTok explaining all the important bombshells). Well, it looks as though there is a chance the allegations of racism from within the palace could reignite Australia’s dormant republican debate. |
| Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has taken to Twitter to say: “Australia’s head of state should be an Australian.” | Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has taken to Twitter to say: “Australia’s head of state should be an Australian.” |
| ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland tweeted asking: “Who’s up for a Republic once the Queen relinquishes the throne?” To which Turnbull replied: | ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland tweeted asking: “Who’s up for a Republic once the Queen relinquishes the throne?” To which Turnbull replied: |
| Agriculture minister David Litteproud has praised Meghan for publicly discussing her struggles with mental health on the Today Show this morning: | Agriculture minister David Litteproud has praised Meghan for publicly discussing her struggles with mental health on the Today Show this morning: |
| But the minister wasn’t convinced the interview would substantially change anything, suggesting that while impactful it would soon “blow over”: | But the minister wasn’t convinced the interview would substantially change anything, suggesting that while impactful it would soon “blow over”: |
| In the interview, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claimed that someone from within the royal household questioned Harry about how dark their son Archie’s skin might be once he was born and “what that would mean or look like”. | In the interview, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claimed that someone from within the royal household questioned Harry about how dark their son Archie’s skin might be once he was born and “what that would mean or look like”. |
| Meghan implied this conversation had occurred in the context of discussing if the baby boy should take the title of “prince”. | Meghan implied this conversation had occurred in the context of discussing if the baby boy should take the title of “prince”. |
| The pair would not name the person who asked this but Winfrey has since said Harry confirmed off-camera it was not the Queen or Prince Phillip. | The pair would not name the person who asked this but Winfrey has since said Harry confirmed off-camera it was not the Queen or Prince Phillip. |
| Now some other things to look out for: | Now some other things to look out for: |
| Scott Morrison has announced it will uncap the boosting apprenticeship commencement wage subsidy, where half the cost of training is covered by the government. The expansion of the program is expected to reach 70,000 new apprentices and cost a total of $1.2bn. | Scott Morrison has announced it will uncap the boosting apprenticeship commencement wage subsidy, where half the cost of training is covered by the government. The expansion of the program is expected to reach 70,000 new apprentices and cost a total of $1.2bn. |
| Former Liberal cabinet minister Julie Bishop has thrown her support behind an inquest by a South Australian coroner into the suicide death of a woman who accused Christian Porter of rapping her in 1988. The attorney general has categorically denied these allegations, and the government says it doesn’t support an independent inquiry now that NSW police have said they cannot investigate further. | Former Liberal cabinet minister Julie Bishop has thrown her support behind an inquest by a South Australian coroner into the suicide death of a woman who accused Christian Porter of rapping her in 1988. The attorney general has categorically denied these allegations, and the government says it doesn’t support an independent inquiry now that NSW police have said they cannot investigate further. |
| The body of a two-year-old girl has been found after she was reported missing on a rural property in Tara, west of Brisbane, on Monday afternoon. Police said her body had been found in a dam about 1am. | The body of a two-year-old girl has been found after she was reported missing on a rural property in Tara, west of Brisbane, on Monday afternoon. Police said her body had been found in a dam about 1am. |
| Conservationists have criticised a deal struck between the NSW Liberal and Nationals parties on koala protections in rural areas. They say it could push the species to the brink. This policy debate nearly tore the NSW Coalition apart in 2020, with the Nationals threatening to go to the crossbench if the new koala planning policy was not abandoned. | Conservationists have criticised a deal struck between the NSW Liberal and Nationals parties on koala protections in rural areas. They say it could push the species to the brink. This policy debate nearly tore the NSW Coalition apart in 2020, with the Nationals threatening to go to the crossbench if the new koala planning policy was not abandoned. |