Good afternoon. The ACT’s top prosecutor, Shane Drumgold, has said he did not see the contents of the Sofronoff inquiry’s findings before they were leaked to the media.
The inquiry’s report on the conduct of prosecutors and police during the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann over the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins was handed to the ACT government on Monday but has not yet been publicly released.
Sources claim the report makes damning findings about the conduct of Drumgold, who issued a statement on Thursday saying he was not in a position to respond to the findings because he had not seen the report.
“Unfortunately I have neither seen the report, nor have I been informed of any content,” he said.
Top news
Reynolds sues Higgins for defamation | The Liberal senator Linda Reynolds (above right) is suing Brittany Higgins (above left) over social media posts where the former staffer made complaints against the politician.
Activist says Woodside chief’s safety never threatened | A climate activist who protested at the Western Australia home of Woodside Energy’s chief executive said they had no intention of entering the house and that no one’s safety was under threat.
Human remains found in Taipan cockpit | The Australian defence force says human remains have been found as part of the search for the army helicopter that crashed off Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands.
Timeline of Victorian regional housing uncertain | The Victorian government is yet to commit to deadlines for new and upgraded sports facilities and $1bn in social and affordable housing promised to regional centres that were set to host the Commonwealth Games.
Labor defends move to reject more Qatar flights | The federal government has said that approving additional flights from Qatar Airways to Australia would go against the “national interest”.
Independents criticise CO2 sea dumping bill | Teal independent MPs have called a government bill that would allow carbon dioxide to be pumped into international waters a “colossal attempt at greenwashing”.
Obama warns Biden over Trump challenge | The former US president Barack Obama has reportedly warned that Donald Trump’s challenge for a return to the white house will be stronger than expected.
NZ ministerial scandals hurts government in polls | Support for the governing Labour party in New Zealand has slumped after the departure of justice minister Kiri Allan from prime minister Chris Hipkins’ cabinet.
Justin Trudeau announces separation | Canada’s prime minister has announced he is separating from his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, after “many meaningful and difficult conversations”.
What they said …
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“I was mortified.”
Former dancers for Lizzo, Arianna Davis, 24, and Crystal Williams, 26, are speaking out after they sued the artist and others for alleged sexual harassment, racial discrimination and fostering a hostile work environment. Lizzo and her team have not yet publicly commented on the allegations.
In numbers
Fossil hunters have discovered remnants of an enormous and long-extinct whale in a rock formation in the Ica desert of southern Peru.
Before bed read
When she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in her mid-30s, Josephine Tovey was forced to cross the thin line between good health and illness. In this piece, Guardian Australia’s deputy news editor recounts her journey to overcome the disease and raises questions about why rates of cancer are rising in young people.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: Sab. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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