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Australia politics live update: national cabinet to discuss Omicron response as Covid variant detected in NSW; ABC announces new RN Breakfast host Australia politics live update: national cabinet to discuss Omicron response as Covid variant detected in NSW; ABC announces new RN Breakfast host
(32 minutes later)
Follow all the news liveFollow all the news live
Labor’s ploy worked.
Labor has worked with the crossbench to bring this forward – the bill belongs to Country Liberal party MP Sam McMahon, but it was dropped by the government last week in exchange for Pauline Hanson’s anti-vaccine mandate bill (which the government didn’t support, but five government senators, including McMahon crossed the floor on).
For those wondering what the parliament will be doing today (legislation wise).
If you are in the flood zone, we are thinking of you.
New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet says that a third person in the state has “possibly” tested positive for the new strain of Covid-19, Omicron, but has urged other leaders against making “knee-jerk” reactions to the variant.New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet says that a third person in the state has “possibly” tested positive for the new strain of Covid-19, Omicron, but has urged other leaders against making “knee-jerk” reactions to the variant.
The state’s health department announced yesterday that two people who had recently returned from southern Africa had tested positive for the new variant in Sydney.The state’s health department announced yesterday that two people who had recently returned from southern Africa had tested positive for the new variant in Sydney.
New rules introduced by the government over the weekend means that people arriving from a series of southern African countries – where the variant was first detected – must undergo 14 days quarantine.New rules introduced by the government over the weekend means that people arriving from a series of southern African countries – where the variant was first detected – must undergo 14 days quarantine.
On Monday, Perrottet announced that in addition to the two confirmed cases, NSW Health was reviewing whether there was “possibly” a third case among the 141 people who flew into the state from southern Africa in the past 48 hours.On Monday, Perrottet announced that in addition to the two confirmed cases, NSW Health was reviewing whether there was “possibly” a third case among the 141 people who flew into the state from southern Africa in the past 48 hours.
But the premier – who despite reintroducing quarantine measures has resisted any changes to the state’s roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions – warned he was not interested in returning to wide scale hotel quarantine or heavy handed restrictions.But the premier – who despite reintroducing quarantine measures has resisted any changes to the state’s roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions – warned he was not interested in returning to wide scale hotel quarantine or heavy handed restrictions.
Parliament begins at 10am today.Parliament begins at 10am today.
Who will be voting for what?Who will be voting for what?
Who knows these days.Who knows these days.
The federal government plans on changing regulations to let the telecommunications sector shut down scam text messages.The federal government plans on changing regulations to let the telecommunications sector shut down scam text messages.
But that won’t stop you getting spam messages from the Palmer United party. That’s a different thing entirely.But that won’t stop you getting spam messages from the Palmer United party. That’s a different thing entirely.
And ahead of parliament (where the government does not want to talk about an anti-corruption commission) there is also this story from Katharine Murphy:And ahead of parliament (where the government does not want to talk about an anti-corruption commission) there is also this story from Katharine Murphy:
Scott Morrison enters the final parliamentary sitting week of the year facing fresh questions about the Coalition’s record of administering grants to government electorates.Scott Morrison enters the final parliamentary sitting week of the year facing fresh questions about the Coalition’s record of administering grants to government electorates.
New analysis has found, since 2013, the bulk of government grant money has gone to government-held seats.New analysis has found, since 2013, the bulk of government grant money has gone to government-held seats.
The analysis says $3.9bn has been allocated under seven federal programs since the Coalition came to power, and $2.8bn, or 71% of the total taxpayer-funded pool, has gone to projects in government electorates.The analysis says $3.9bn has been allocated under seven federal programs since the Coalition came to power, and $2.8bn, or 71% of the total taxpayer-funded pool, has gone to projects in government electorates.
According to the analysis, conducted by the Australia Institute, only $903m was distributed to Labor-held seats in programs that gave ministers discretion over how grants were allocated, while $232m went to electorates held by independents or minor parties.According to the analysis, conducted by the Australia Institute, only $903m was distributed to Labor-held seats in programs that gave ministers discretion over how grants were allocated, while $232m went to electorates held by independents or minor parties.
NSW and Victoria have posted their daily updates:NSW and Victoria have posted their daily updates:
Radio and TV broadcaster Patricia Karvelas will replace Fran Kelly on RN Breakfast on ABC Radio it was announced this morning.Radio and TV broadcaster Patricia Karvelas will replace Fran Kelly on RN Breakfast on ABC Radio it was announced this morning.
The host of Radio National’s RN Drive will move into the Breakfast slot next year, replacing Kelly who is stepping down after 17 years.The host of Radio National’s RN Drive will move into the Breakfast slot next year, replacing Kelly who is stepping down after 17 years.
Known as PK, Karvelas said the radio show set the national agenda each day and it is “the best job on radio”.Known as PK, Karvelas said the radio show set the national agenda each day and it is “the best job on radio”.
Karvelas will host the show from Melbourne, joining ABC TV’s News Breakfast as a Victorian based national news program.Karvelas will host the show from Melbourne, joining ABC TV’s News Breakfast as a Victorian based national news program.
The ABC’s head of entertainment and specialist Michael Carrington said PK “has something to offer every listener from political analysis to important and intriguing social and cultural issues”.The ABC’s head of entertainment and specialist Michael Carrington said PK “has something to offer every listener from political analysis to important and intriguing social and cultural issues”.
Kelly’s last day is Thursday.Kelly’s last day is Thursday.
The Kate Jenkins review into the parliamentary workplace culture will be handed to the government today.The Kate Jenkins review into the parliamentary workplace culture will be handed to the government today.
Asked about it last week, Scott Morrison did not commit to making it public.Asked about it last week, Scott Morrison did not commit to making it public.
NSW premier Dom Perrottet is not for closing:NSW premier Dom Perrottet is not for closing:
As is this from Luke Henriques-Gomes:
In case you haven’t seen this story yet from Peter Hannam, it is worth your time:
The Morrison government has used sweeping new powers to override state and territory government support for an international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The federal government has deployed recently passed laws to overturn the participation of five states and territories in the global Under 2 Coalition.
In an email dated 23 November, an official with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told his counterpart in the Victorian government that its participation in the coalition was “no longer in operation”.
The email warned the Victorian government that under the new Foreign Relations (States and Territories) Act 2020, sign up to the agreement was now illegitimate.
Bob Katter was apparently thrown out of a Tamworth pub over the weekend for not being able to prove his vaccination status and well, I’ll let you read his statement:
There is no more political a game, than the election date – which rests solely in the prime minister’s hands.
Speculating on when the election might be though, is apparently, a political game, says Scott Morrison, that he won’t be distracted by.
Of course he won’t.
Because it is his decision. He is the only person who knows when it will be:
National cabinet was meant to meet on Friday, but there will be a meeting either today or tomorrow.
Just don’t call it an “emergency meeting”.
Morrison:
Scott Morrison is now speaking to the Nine network (he declined to appear on the ABC) about the possibility of a wider border shut down:
Patricia Karvelas will be the new host of ABC RN Breakfast radio.
The federal government has decided on the new site for Australia’s nuclear waste.
From Keith Pitt’s statement:
You’ll be finding out very soon.
Prof Paul Kelly was also on the Nine network, where he was asked about the possibility Omicron could replace Delta as the dominant strain of Covid, and how that could be a good thing, given the early advice is that it seems a more mild version of the virus.
Kelly: