What happened Sunday 4 December 2022
With that, we’ll wrap up our live news coverage of the day.
Here’s a summary of the main news developments:
The Socceroos pushed Argentina all the way in their World Cup round of 16 match in Doha on Sunday morning Australia time, though it wasn’t enough as the Australian team fell 2-1 and crashed out of the tournament.
Proud but dejected in defeat, Graham Arnold says he will take a proper break before having “some good discussions” with Football Australia about whether or not he stays on as Socceroos coach.
Tens of thousands of Australians woke in the early hours of Sunday and showed up to live sites across the country to watch the Socceroos match.
Brittany Higgins said she had not fully understood Australia’s “asymmetrical criminal justice system” before she raised rape allegations against a colleague, and has called for reform.
A Coalition frontbencher conducting a “grassroots” survey about nuclear power is using a website registered by a business that helps an American small modular reactor company, records reveal.
The federal government remains hopeful the commonwealth and states and territories can come up with a solution to quell swelling energy prices when they meet this week.
There has been a dramatic drop in youth crime on the Northern Territory’s Groote Eylandt, which elders attribute to justice reinvestment programs which have seen the community and young people working together.
Thanks for reading. We’ll back to do it all again tomorrow.
Updated
Covid fine cancellations have underlined a sense of unfair treatment in western Sydney, reports Mostafa Rachwani. While the move has come as a relief to many families, some say it has also damaged the ‘already fragile trust’ communities had in government’s decisions.
Read more:
Iranian authorities said they would review a decades-old law that requires women to cover their heads, as the country struggles to quell more than two months of protests linked to the dress code.
“Both parliament and the judiciary are working [on the issue],” of whether the law needs any changes, Iran’s attorney general Mohammad Jafar Montazeri said on Saturday.
Quoted by an Iranian news agency, he did not specify what could be modified in the law by the two bodies, which are both largely in the hands of conservatives.
The review team met on Wednesday with parliament’s cultural commission “and will see the results in a week or two”, the attorney general said.
Read more:
Fans turned out in big numbers at Sydney’s Darling Harbour live site to support the Socceroos as they went down to Argentina.
A second-half goal by Craig Goodwin gave supporters some hope but Australia couldn’t recover after a mistake by keeper Mat Ryan helped Argentina to a 2-0 lead.
Fans were left disappointed by the final result but expressed pride in Australia’s performance in the World Cup. Socceroos supporters in Doha said they were ‘super proud’ of their team
Read more from Mostafa Rachwani here:
The federal government remains hopeful the commonwealth and states and territories can come up with a solution to quell swelling energy prices when they meet this week.
Federal minister Bill Shorten said all options remained on the table, with the stakes being too high to not reach a decision on action.
“This issue is too important not to leave the room without it,” the Labor frontbencher told Sky News on Sunday. “Let’s see what emerges from discussions on Wednesday.”
National cabinet will meet this week ahead of finalising its plan for providing energy price relief, but the inclusion of coal has complicated matters, with Queensland and NSW being asked to cooperate with a plan that will temporarily cap the wholesale price of coal.
Read more:
Meter reader’s dog mauling ‘a tragic loss’
Colleagues have paid tribute to 42-year-old meter reader Kane Minion, who was mauled to death by dogs on a property south of Brisbane.
Minion was found in a critical condition on Saturday morning, but died at the scene of the attack on Ison Rd, Greenbank.
Emergency services were called to the fenced property at 10.47am, finding the Marsden man lying unconscious in the front yard with serious injuries from a dog attack.
Three dogs were found inside the yard, with the Courier-Mail reporting that a bandog bullmastiff and a rhodesian ridgeback cross were seized by Logan city council animal control officers, while the third dog was not taken away.
The property owners were not home at the time of the attack.
Read more:
Updated
Personal conversations not party press conferences will guide regional Australians on an Indigenous voice
As the Nationals revealed its opposition to an Indigenous voice to parliament this week, the Victorian Women’s Trust were putting the finishing touches on its model of kitchen table conversations as a national campaign tool ahead of the voice referendum.
Mary Crooks, who hails from country Victoria, is the executive director of the Trust and the architect of the Purple Sage project – the original model of “kitchen table conversations” that engaged regional voters and acted as a lightning rod for dissent ahead of Jeff Kennett’s defeat in the 1999 state election.
It went on to be used by independent political campaigns, including former Indi independent Cathy McGowan’s 2013 victory as well as metropolitan independents such as Warringah MP Zali Steggall and the current crop of independent MPs elected in the 2022 federal election.
“When I first designed Purple Sage project in Victoria, way back in 1990s, the Victorian government at that time was riding roughshod over Victoria, and especially people in regional and rural Victoria,” Crooks says.
“That whole position of the National party this week, was redolent of that in my mind: ‘You can stop right now, and pick up a ballot paper and fill it out because we know what’s best for you. And if we’re opposed to the voice, then you should be too.’”
Now, the kitchen table model will be used across the nation in a project provisionally known as “Together, Yes”. The concept would allow people to register for a process where they invite small groups into their homes for respectful conversations about the voice.
For more on how organisers are planning to campaign at the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in regional areas, read the full story by Guardian Australia’s Gabrielle Chan:
NSW Greens reveal plan to phase out pokies from pubs
The NSW Greens have revealed their plan for phasing out poker machines from pubs and clubs amid increasing calls to clean up the industry.
Under their plan, pokies would disappear from pubs across NSW within the next five years and from clubs over the next decade.
Released on Sunday, the so-called “Pull the Pin on Pokies” strategy includes helping venues access alternative revenue streams and redirecting current revenue to support problem gambling services.
The party is also backing the introduction of a cashless gaming card, currently being considered by the government to crack down on alleged money laundering.
Greens MP Cate Faehrmann described gambling in NSW as “out of control”.
Our plan would repair the harm pokies have wrought on our communities and reduce the social costs of gambling by at least $87bn over a decade.
We call on both major parties to commit to these urgently needed reforms ahead of the March election.
Venues would pay more to the government under the plan, with a pokie “super tax” of 60% across all pubs and clubs, increasing by 5% every year.
The change would deliver an additional $3.4bn in revenue over five years, which would be used to fund gambling harm reduction and other community-based services, according to the Greens.
A ClubsNSW spokesman responded to plans to tax venues more, saying clubs in NSW alone were already delivering $1.2bn into government coffers every year.
While some 92% of people in NSW visit a club at least once per year, only 8% of voters put the Greens first. It seems the public is happy with clubs the way they are and understand a vote for the Greens is a vote for economic ruin.
Adding his voice to the release of the Greens’ plan was former head of anti-money laundering at ClubsNSW turned whistleblower, Troy Stolz.
Stolz is being sued by ClubsNSW for allegedly leaking internal documents that showed more than 90% of gaming venues were not complying with money laundering regulations.
The 53-year-old is due to appear at a federal court hearing on Monday.
Money laundering in pubs and clubs across NSW is real and so is gambling harm – it cannot be ignored. The Greens have a plan to address these issues, whereas the Liberal and Labor parties only plan to serve their master, the gambling industry.
– AAP
Updated
One airline passenger’s $3,000 battle to retrieve his lost luggage
Marko Bogicevic maintains his ordeal began because he had the gall to share a joke article about yuppies losing bags on flights from Australia to Europe.
It was fateful irony, he’s certain, that led to not one but three bags being lost on a short trip abroad, leaving Bogicevic several thousands dollars in debt and tying him into a tortuous long-distance dispute with Air France.
“I made fun of them [the yuppies],” he said, “and two weeks later my girlfriend [Dani Meyerowitz] and I were going to Europe and, of course, we lost our bags.”
It would be almost four months before one bag was recovered, during which Bogicevic paid to replace many of the items inside it, only to find his claims for compensation frustrated by Air France.
The saga began when the couple landed in Nice at the end of a connecting flight from Sydney and watched the baggage carousel slowly spin, to no avail.
The airline was not completely unhelpful.
For the full story on Bogicevic’s epic journey for justice, read the full report by Caitlin Cassidy:
Updated
Queensland man dies two weeks after hit and run
A Queensland man has died in hospital, two weeks after he was struck in an alleged deliberate hit-run west of Brisbane.
Police say the 33-year-old Boronia Heights man was hit along Toowoomba Connection Road shortly after 3pm on November 20.
He was airlifted from the scene to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, but he died on Saturday.
A 46-year-old Rockville man has already been charged with one count of attempted murder, two counts of endangering safety of a person in a vehicle with intent, and one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Toowoomba detectives say they are now considering whether alternative charges are necessary.
A 2004 white Holden Rodeo ute believed to be involved in the collision remains to be found.
Police are appealing for the owner of that vehicle or any other witnesses to come forward.
- AAP
Rock fisherman dies in Sydney’s north
A fisher has died after being pulled from the water on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Emergency services were called to Turimetta Headland, Narrabeen, at about 10.45am on Sunday, after reports a rock fisher had fallen into the water.
The man was winched from the surf by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter which touched down at the nearby Rat Park in Warriewood.
Despite the efforts of paramedics who performed CPR the man died at the scene, police said.
It is understood the man, believed to be in his 70s, was wearing a lifejacket when he entered the water.
Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command will prepare a report for the Coroner.
– AAP
Updated
Melbourne rally planned in support of jailed climate activist
Extinction Rebellion says the jailing of climate activist Violet Coco is “an outrageous abuse of justice” ahead of a planned rally in Melbourne on Sunday.
A rally will be held outside the state library in support of Coco who was given a 15-month jail sentence for blocking traffic on Sydney Harbour Bridge for 25 minutes.
Coco was sentenced under New South Wales’ harsh anti-protest laws and the sentence has been criticised by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Association Clement Voule.
#Australia - I am alarmed at #NSW court's prison term against #ClimateProtester 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗼 and refusal to grant bail until a March 2023 appeal hearing. Peaceful protesters should never be criminalised or imprisoned.👇🏽 https://t.co/uvxN0f7Inl
— UN Special Rapporteur Freedom of Association (@cvoule) December 2, 2022
CoCo had previously participated in protests organised by Extinction Rebellion but had recently participated in protests organised by Fireproof Australia.
Mark Conroy, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion described the sentence as “an outrageous abuse of justice”.
This outrageous abuse of justice is merely the latest in a line of repressive and punitive actions against peaceful climate activism, not to mention the even longer line of repression against any group fighting collectively for a better life in so-called Australia.
Climate activists are facing corrupt, captured, governments worldwide, and harassment and repression from police and the ‘justice’ system. We will show the fossil fuel companies and governments that the climate movement will not be cowed by this repression.
We have the right to peaceful protest and we will continue to hold the polluters and planet destroyers, and those to abet them, to account. Our governments are failing us, so it is up to citizens to lead the way. We do not feel there is any choice but to work together against state capture and corporate greed.
Updated
Gold Coast Titans chairman Paul Broughton dies aged 91
Rugby league trailblazer and Gold Coast Titans founding father Paul Broughton has been remembered as one of the sport’s most intelligent and passionate men.
The inaugural Titans chairman, whose name is attached to the club’s annual best and fairest medal, has died aged 91.
Broughton was a player, coach and administrator, widely viewed as “the godfather of Gold Coast rugby league” and a major player in the creation of the Titans.
He made eight first-grade appearances for St George and Balmain in the 1950s and coached Balmain and Newtown in the 1970s.
Broughton’s contribution to the code was recognised with an Order of Australia Medal.
Several significant figures reacted to news of Broughton’s death, with Phil Gould tweeting a tribute to his former coach.
So sad to hear of the passing of my dear old friend.
The most intelligent and passionate rugby league man I have ever known.
He was 90 and messaged me every day with ideas and support for the great game. So very sad. I miss him already. RIP Coach.
So sad to hear of the passing of my dear old friend Mr Paul Broughton OAM @broughto8 The most intelligent and passionate Rugby League man I have ever known. He was 90yo & messaged me every day with ideas and support for the great game. So very sad. I miss him already. RIP Coach.
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) December 4, 2022
Broughton revolutionised coaching with his annual camps alongside Peter Corcoran and employed the first Indigenous NSW Rugby League development officer.
NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said his support for Indigenous players set an example for others to follow.
There were not many coaches or players of that era who did not have the benefit of advice from Paul and Peter.
His impact on the game in our state has been acknowledged by the naming of the educational centre at NSW Rugby League headquarters after Paul.
His thinking was always way ahead of its time, not only in Rugby League ways but in socially progressive ways. He was a big supporter of our First Nations people.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys described Broughton as a “legendary” rugby league figure.
His passion for rugby league was clear to all who knew him.
His efforts particularly to further the sport on the Gold Coast were tireless and nothing short of extraordinary.
He was a leader and a gentleman. He dared to take the game to places many couldn’t imagine and for that we will owe a huge debt.
– AAP
Updated
Coalition MP’s ‘grassroots’ nuclear power survey linked to consulting firm
A Coalition frontbencher conducting a “grassroots” survey about nuclear power is using a website registered by a business that helps an American small modular reactor company, records reveal.
Ted O’Brien, the shadow minister for climate change and energy, issued a statement on Friday saying he was “launching a grassroots community engagement program” under the banner “Time to Talk Nuclear”.
He urged Australians to “join the conversation” by completing a short survey on the website, with the first question being: “What do you think could be the benefits of nuclear energy in Australia?”
Guardian Australia can reveal the web domain was registered by Helixos Pty Ltd, a Sydney-based consulting company whose projects include “supporting the commercialisation of new nuclear energy technology”.
Helixos lists the US company NuScale Power as one of its clients.
For more on this Guardian exclusive read the full story by Daniel Hurst:
Updated
Messi salutes Socceroos performance after ‘tough’ match
Lionel Messi does not find much complicated on a football pitch. But he did against the Socceroos.
Messi’s mercurial abilities loomed large in Argentina’s 2-1 win which knocked the Australians out of the World Cup in Qatar.
The Argentine captain scored a glorious goal and was acclaimed as player of the match.
But after his team went 2-0 up, the gallant Socceroos made a late charge.
“Things got complicated in the end with their goal,” Messi said.
“But it’s a World Cup. And it’s never easy.”
Socceroos substitute Craig Goodwin fired an audacious long-range attempt in the 77th minute which deflected into the net from Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez.
The own goal sparked the Australians, who had two more golden chances, with Aziz Behich and Garang Kuol coming close to equalisers in a frantic finale.
Messi was not surprised.
It was a very difficult match, we knew it was going to be this way.
We knew it was going to be a very physical match and they were very strong.
We had the game under control and could have scored another one - we were almost punished for it in the last minute.
There were a few scary moments ... it was a tough game, a tough day.
We’re through, that’s the important thing.
Argentina next meet the Netherlands in next Friday’s quarter-final (0600 Saturday AEDT) as Messi seeks to capture the World Cup at his fifth attempt.
– AAP
Updated
Minor flood warnings have been issued across parts of Victoria.
This WATCH & ACT - RIVERINE FLOOD - Avoid the Flooded Area is issued for Loddon River downstream of Kerang.
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) December 4, 2022
No further flooding is expected along the Loddon River at Appin South. No significant rainfall is forecast for the next few days.
More details at https://t.co/62YLQ2CtUn pic.twitter.com/VZUmW5wn67
Minor Flood Warning - Advice for Lower Bendigo and Bullock Creeks. You should Stay Informed. For more info: https://t.co/07TJuTrjWq #vicfloods
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) December 4, 2022
Minor Flood Warning - Advice for Loddon River from the Loddon Weir to Kerang. You should Stay Informed. For more info: https://t.co/l4f7JKKXPi #vicfloods
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) December 4, 2022
Here is the full statement from Justin Warren on the AAT decision refusing the release of robodebt documents:
The unlawful and underhanded Robodebt regime stole money from hundreds of thousands of Australians. We deserve to know everything about how this happened so we can ensure that it never, ever happens again.
Until we know the truth, the whole truth, of how this abhorrent scheme was proposed, built, and sanctioned—and by whom—we have to assume the government intends to do it again.
I also note that the AAT took nearly a year to make its decision, which is longer than the entire period allocated for the Royal Commission into robodebt.
The Royal Commission has already demonstrated its ability to work quickly and efficiently, and it has a solid understanding of where the public interest lies. It is also able to explain its decisions clearly and succinctly.
The contrast is fairly stark, so there is obviously merit in having actual courts deal with the legal issues here. My legal team and I are considering our options for an appeal.
Meanwhile, I look forward to following the Royal Commission and its pro-transparency approach.
As always, the purpose of a system is what it does.
AAT blocks effort to make key robodebt documents public
Documents that may have revealed what former ministers knew about the failed robodebt scheme will not be released, a tribunal has ruled.
Advocate Justin Warren first requested access to the 12 documents in 2017 under freedom of information laws but the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on Sunday decided to only release one.
The requested documents include early business plans produced by the Department of Human Services, now known as Services Australia, to justify the robodebt scheme.
Warren believes the full set of documents could reveal what former prime minister Scott Morrison and senior ministers including Christian Porter and Alan Tudge knew about the scheme.
We deserve to know everything about how this happened so we can ensure that it never ever happens again.
Until we know the truth, the whole truth, of how this abhorrent scheme was proposed, built and sanctioned – and by whom – we have to assume the government intends to do it again.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, which is running the case as part of the Grata FOI Project, will consider options to appeal the tribunal’s decision.
The robodebt scheme, initiated under the former Coalition government in 2015, sought to recover $1.2bn over four years from more than 860,000 welfare recipients.
But more than $750m was wrongfully recovered from 381,000 people.
A royal commission into robodebt is now under way with public hearings continuing in Brisbane on Monday.
Morrison is expected to front the commission on 14 December.
– AAP
Updated
Here are a few reactions from Australia’s political leadership on the Socceroos’ loss.
You did Australia proud on the world’s biggest stage @socceroos 👏🇦🇺 #outstanding #FIFAWorldCup
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 3, 2022
You’ve done us proud, Socceroos
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) December 3, 2022
💚💛 #FIFAWorldCup
Brilliant effort @Socceroos - we’re all so proud of what you have been able to do on the world stage. 💚💛 https://t.co/LionpWShZl
— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) December 3, 2022
We felt your support and passion all around the country 💚💛
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) December 4, 2022
Nothing like the power of football to captivate the entire country ⚽️🇦🇺
🎥 @finalthirdsocks #Socceroos #GiveIt100 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/y5Fnf2ePrq
Updated
Reserve Bank to make final interest rate decision of 2022
The Reserve Bank is gearing up for its final cash rate decision for 2022, with at least one more hike broadly expected.
Another 25 basis point increase will take the rate to 3.1% and cause more pain for mortgage holders with variable loans.
The central bank board will convene to make its decision for December on Tuesday.
A Finder survey of 40 experts and economists found almost 90% expect a 0.25 percentage point lift but opinions vary on the bank’s monetary policy trajectory in the new year.
HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said the last month revealed a job market that was still too tight and inflation that was still too high, despite the national statistics bureau’s monthly inflation gauge easing slightly.
He said this was enough to deliver one more hike for the year but suspects it could be the last one, with rate hikes already weighing on the property market and probably spending, as retail figures reveal signs of a consumer slowdown.
Scant evidence of a wage-price spiral should also support the case for a pause in February when the board will meet next.
Our expectation is that local growth will slow further over coming months, pressure in the jobs market will start to ease, the global growth backdrop will worsen, and global disinflation will become clearer.
– AAP
Updated
Australia maintains AAA credit rating
The treasurer has seized on Australia maintaining its top credit rating as a stamp of approval for the government’s economic policy.
Fitch Ratings reaffirmed the AAA rating, saying Labor’s first budget showed “restraint”.
It noted the budget didn’t provide any cost-of-living offsets in a deliberate move by the government to contain spending and avoid exacerbating inflation.
The finance and insurance company also predicted slowing GDP growth, tipping a 1.5% rise in 2023 compared with 3.9% this year, mainly due to high inflation and rising interest rates.
The treasurer Jim Chalmers said the affirmation is “a strong endorsement of the government’s economic management”.
It shows that our budget was defined by the times and designed for the times, and we got the fiscal settings right.
Chalmers said rising inflation was the main challenge facing the economy.
That’s why our economic plan is carefully designed to avoid putting upward pressure on prices and making the job of the Reserve Bank harder.
– AAP
Updated
Arnold: ‘We need a home’ for Australian soccer
Graham Arnold is appealing for government funding and a revamp of Australian football’s landscape as he contemplates his future as Socceroos coach.
Arnold’s contract expired when his Socceroos ended their World Cup campaign with a 2-1 loss to heavyweights Argentina in a knockout bout in Qatar.
I just want to go away, have a good holiday, have a break and see what happens. I have worked extremely hard this campaign to get to where we have got.
I haven’t even thought about it [my future]. I need a rest and no doubt I will have good discussions then with the organisation.
But Arnold is adamant: despite the success of emulating the fabled 2006 Socceroos in reaching the round of 16 at a World Cup, the structure of football in Australia must change.
For starters, he wants more government money, chiefly for junior development, and more games and more clubs in the domestic A-League competition.
We need to spend money and get help from the government to put some money into the game to help develop kids.
One thing I would really love to see before I finish up completely in football is [for the government [to] build us a house. We don’t have a home. We have been homeless since I have been involved for 37 years in the national teams.
We need a home, a facility like ... the AIS [Australian Institute of Sport], something that the government can help fund for the development of the national teams but also for the good of Australian football.
Arnold, who was almost sacked last March as Australia’s qualifying campaign wobbled, has now overseen the nation’s most successful World Cup.
For the first time, the Socceroos won two games at a single edition of the tournament and kept consecutive clean sheets.
And his world No 38 outfit gave Argentina, the world No 3 boasting all-time great Lionel Messi, a serious scare in their knockout fixture.
It’s probably me, it’s the way I am. Even though we have ... been successful, I feel like we’ve failed tonight. I just wanted to win so badly for the nation and for the fans and for the game of football in Australia.
Making the last 16 for me wasn’t enough. I wanted more, but that’s just me. I know a lot of other people might be happy with it but that’s just the way I am.
– AAP
Updated
A heatwave is building across northern Australia that will become severe next week with fire warnings issued for Western Australia.
Heat is building across much of Australia, with severe to locally extreme heatwave conditions developing.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) December 3, 2022
Maximum temperatures will be 4 to 8°C above average this week across northern Australia.
Latest temperature and heatwave forecasts https://t.co/R4yK0TpsWr pic.twitter.com/2bQ7rlp2Nr
☀️ Fire Danger Ratings have been forecast for WA. You can find which Local Government Authorities are affected and relevant community safety messages on https://t.co/hYCrBsEjuj
— DFES (@dfes_wa) December 3, 2022
Updated
Stuart Robert should be investigated over conflicts of interest: Shorten
The NDIS minister, Bill Shorten, says the actions of a former minister he alleges intimidated public servants were foolish.
Shorten said Liberal MP Stuart Robert had “inappropriately” made requests to high level public servants after media allegations surrounding his dealings with a consulting firm.
He said any requests from an opposition should go through the relevant ministerial office.
Nine newspapers reported consulting company Synergy 360, owned by a friend of Robert, claimed in leaked documents the minister met the firm about government contracts.
Parliament was told investigations had shown one of Synergy’s clients Infosys had been awarded four contracts totalling $274m to upgrade payment software within the Department of Human Services.
Shorten told Sky News’ Sunday Agenda program, “the emails are sufficiently detailed as to warrant an investigation”.
We don’t have anything definitive but there’s been plenty of smoke, so for the sake of the reputation of the Commonwealth we need to satisfy ourselves ... if there’s anymore to it.
Shorten said Mr Robert’s contact with public servants after the allegations surfaced was “definitely foolish”.
“It seemed to me he was trying to extricate himself, which is understandable,” he added.
But Shorten said departmental staff weren’t at the beck and call of former ministers and that requests for documents or information should go through the proper channels.
“Do things right, the best process is always the best protection,” he said.
Shorten was asked if the allegations were enough to warrant a referral to the national anti-corruption commission once it’s up and running.
“Let’s just get to the bottom of it,” he said.
Robert rejected the “implied imputation” of the media reports “in the strongest possible language”.
I reiterate that all departmental procurements were run with the highest levels of probity,” he said on Thursday.
I had zero involvement with this procurement or any other procurements and reject completely these accusations.
– AAP
Updated
Brittany Higgins makes first public statement since prosecution dropped
Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins has commented on the impact the legal system has on people who come forward with sexual assault allegations.
The prosecution of a man alleged to have raped Higgins in Parliament House in 2019 was dropped this week due to concerns about her mental wellbeing.
The initial trial was aborted due to juror misconduct.
Bruce Lehrmann has always maintained his innocence, denying there was any sexual contact between the pair.
In her first public comments since the prosecution was dropped, Higgins said she never understood how asymmetrical the criminal justice system was until she spoke up.
In an Instagram post on Sunday morning Higgins said she had felt like the person on trial after having her private life, messages and data publicly exposed and scrutinised.
This is the reality of how complainants in sexual assault cases are treated. Their lives are torn apart, their families and friends called to the witness stand and the accused has the legal right to say absolutely nothing.
Higgins said the criminal justice system failed to deliver outcomes for victims of sexual assault, citing that in the ACT during 2020, only 16% of sexual offences reported to police resulted in a charge. Only half of those resulted in a conviction.
That is to our national shame. I want to thank the other women who came forward and shared their own experiences. I believe you. You were with me every day I walked into that court room and faced him.
It should be noted that this is the exact same statement Higgins gave when the trial was aborted though it is the first time she has shared the text through social media.
– AAP
Updated
Price cap mooted to keep gas cheap
One senior minister is hopeful the commonwealth and states and territories can come up with a solution to quell swelling energy prices when they meet this week.
Bill Shorten told Sky News on Sunday that all options remain on the table with the stakes being too high to not reach a decision on how to act.
“This issue is too important not to leave the room without it,” he said.
“Let’s see what emerges from discussions on Wednesday.”
NSW treasurer Matt Kean said the state government would support price caps implemented by the commonwealth.
He said while he had spoken to the prime minister about implementing a coal price cap, no dollar figure had been mentioned.
The commonwealth and some state governments are in discussions over how a gas or coal price cap would be implemented.
The federal government has raised concerns about potential legal consequences if it were to cap prices instead of states, but speaking to Sky News Kean said the commonwealth had the power to do so.
Our legal advice says they do have the power to cap coal prices if they do go down that path, and we will support them.
This is a national problem that requires a national solution.
Kean said he shared concerns that acting too late would mean the measures wouldn’t bring down energy prices over the next 12 months.
“We need to move and we need to move very quickly,” he said.
The NSW treasurer said a gas price cap would need to be considered alongside coal.
He said a ceiling price for one would not be enough to bring down prices with black coal setting the wholesale electricity price in NSW and Queensland more than half the time.
While all options remain on the table, the federal government has been reluctant to spruik rebates, pointing to the inflationary pressure of handouts.
Kean said the flow-on effect of increased energy prices being the biggest driver of inflation also needed to be considered.
“If it’s temporary and targeted to people who can least afford it, then it won’t have the inflationary effect people are worried about,” he said of the rebates.
– AAP
Updated
Fourth man charged following Melbourne shooting
A fourth person has been charged with murder following the death of a man in Melbourne’s south-east.
The 36-year-old man died in the early hours of 11 July after being shot at a Noble Park unit.
Police on Sunday charged a 35-year-old Doveton man with murder, affray and intentionally causing injury.
He was remanded to appear at the Melbourne magistrates court in April next year.
The Doveton man is the fourth person to be charged over the incident, with two men from Springvale and a 25-year-old man from Blackburn North charged since 23 November.
All four men are facing a single count of murder.
Investigators say they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
– AAP
Updated
Matt Kean wants more women in NSW Liberals
NSW treasurer Matt Kean has doubled down on his drive to correct what he says is the Liberal party’s poor record on gender diversity.
Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Kean said he’ll be making a push at preselection to enlist more women to the party.
I’d like to see our party more representative of the community and that’s something I’ll continue to push for.
That’s why I want to see more strong female candidates being selected in preselections.
Between now and Christmas, when our preselections will come to an end, I’ll be doing everything I can to see women selected in every seat at every opportunity.
The vow follows the outspoken MP’s criticism of the party’s processes in the wake of a failed attempt by roads minister Natalie Ward to win preselection for the northern Sydney seat of Davidson against former premier Mike Baird’s ex-staffer Matt Cross.
“I’m devastated about the results ... I thought that a smart, talented senior female minister would trump a former junior staffer every day of the week,” Kean said last week.
The treasurer said he was in favour of gender quotas and had always been an advocate for a greater diversity of candidates.
Ward’s defeat is being seen as another blow to the Liberal party’s attempt to increase the number of women in the state’s lower house from seven of its 33 members ahead of the March election.
Kean dubbed the Davidson result “bitterly disappointing” and evidence that the party’s branch membership is not reflective of the community.
Natalie’s a great candidate, she’s a great minister and she’s a great role model to Liberal women. Of course, I supported her.
He said he was also behind former Warringah Chamber of Commerce president Wendy Finianos to be preselected over another Liberal staffer, Toby Williams, in the Sydney seat of Wakehurst.
- AAP
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Government claims ‘early win’ for people with disability
Hundreds of people with a disability who had been forced to sit in hospital despite being ready for discharge have been able to leave.
NDIS minister Bill Shorten says an average of 1,400 hospital beds across Australia every night contain people with a disability who are medically fit but unable to leave while waiting for their support package.
Shorten said 350 people have been able to get their NDIS packages sorted and discharged, saving taxpayers about $1m a day, with a night in hospital racking up an average of $2,500.
“It’s a slow-moving thing, the river of reform, when you’re talking about the NDIS, but we’ve had some early wins,” Shorten told Sky News on Sunday.
The number of NDIS participants fighting for legal recourse has also been significantly reduced.
The backlog of cases in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal has been cut down from 4,500 to 2,000 since Labor took power in May.
“Another 2,500 this Christmas not stuck in the AAT,” the minister said.
Shorten flagged that conversations needed to be had with state counterparts about supports outside the NDIS to avoid it becoming overwhelmed with demand.
One of the challenges is the NDIS was never intended to be the only lifeboat in the ocean.
The mix of federal state funding has been drifting towards the commonwealth picking up 63%, so we’re going to have to have some fair dinkum conversations about what are the other supports were providing people with disability outside the NDIS so everyone doesn’t flock to that.
– AAP
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Fans frustrated at last-minute World Cup arrangements
As fans and supporters made their way out of the Darling Harbour viewing site for the Socceroos’ round of 16 loss to Argentina, many expressed their frustration at the hastily organised event.
Crowds were expected to stay at 6,000, but the heaving masses at Tumbalong Park far exceeded that number, with police closing the viewing site before it was full for “safety reasons”.
That left many fans locked out, with supporters piling on to staircases and benches to get a view of the screens and of the match.
Stuart Farrell said it had been difficult to get into the site and added he was disappointed more people weren’t allowed in.
Lots of us got locked outside. It would have been good if they let some more people in. There were so many up there on stairs, it could’ve been more dangerous if they jumped around too much.
Six thousand people for a major sporting event is just not good enough. It looks like triple that number have turned up. It feels like they underestimated the number of people who would turn up today.
There should have been more screens, more viewing sites, more chances for us to come together to watch the Socceroos here. Why wasn’t it here the whole time, the way Melbourne had it?
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Burney: the voice is about constitutional recognition
Burney won’t be drawn on when the full details for the proposal will be made public, saying she is “not going to get ahead and the government will not get ahead of the working group”.
On whether this detail will be provided before the referendum, Burney says Australians “will be well informed and they will understand the reason for the voice”.
The voice – the notion is not just about Aboriginal people, it’s about us as a nation finally having constitutional recognition.
Burney is asked about the attacks on her by Senator Jacinta Price. She says there is “so much support” for the voice out in the community.
What’s important to me is that this voice is about representing First Nations people to the parliament, to the executive government, for better outcomes and bringing this country together in an extraordinary moment of truth telling.
Burney says she is confident that when a referendum comes to a vote in a year the answer will be “yes”:
I am confident in the Australian people and I believe if the Australian people fully understand the need for this voice, the powerlessness, as described in the Uluru statement of First Nations people, and an enormous sense of fairness, I believe the vote will be ‘yes’.
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Burney: voice will have no power to veto parliament
Burney is asked whether the voice will issue a statement on all bills that come before parliament explaining whether it was consulted and what advice was provided in how it was drafted.
Burney stresses that the body will have no power to veto the actions of parliament and its role will be advisory.
It will also not have a program delivery function. I think those things are really important to make sure the voice is available to the parliament and to the executive government for advice, and that advice can be sought and given.
Speers presses Burney on whether the body will be consulted on each individual bill and how it will work.
Burney says her view is that it will be consulted on any issues that affect First Nations people and will give effect to basic principles of self determination.
There is no question, David, that what we have been doing is not working. There is still overcrowding, there is still communities in this country that don’t have clean water.
[…]
Let’s take, for example, the fact that there is going to be a standalone First Nations domestic violence plan. It would be important to me that the voice is very much involved in advising, working alongside the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory committee on that, to make sure that what is in the plan reflects what First Nations people are saying about the issue of domestic violence, for example.
Let’s think about the fact that we are going to be moving towards a standalone First Nations, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage plan. Fundamental issues of that would be advised by the voice, alongside with the alliance of First Nations people and cultural heritage. There is no doubt that what happened at Juukan Gorge cannot happen again.
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‘Enormous amounts of work’ at state and territory levels
Speers is trying to tease out more details of the voice, but Burney is being careful not to reveal too much. Asked about whether there will be local voices, Burney says consultation is still under way.
There is enormous amounts of work going on at state and territory levels which has to be part of where we head nationally. I see what’s going on in, for example, legislation about to go into the South Australian parliament to create a voice there. There is a First Nations assembly in Victoria.
Those things will inform, and I think, enhance a national voice. What this national voice is about is very straightforward. It is about improving the lives and the outcomes which are completely unacceptable at the moment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but it will also be about telling the truth in our nation’s birth certificate and recognising that this country has the extraordinary gift of 65,000 years.
Burney is asked whether “there are any matters that don’t relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”?
This voice is about improving the life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It doesn’t matter what you choose, whether it’s housing, whether it’s incarceration, whether it’s educational outcomes, whether it’s domestic violence rates – all of those things will be informed by this voice, including importantly cultural issues, the fact that there is going to be a move towards a standalone cultural heritage act, things like a standalone domestic violence strategy for Aboriginal people – these are the things that the Voice will absolutely inform.
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Burney ‘won’t get ahead’ of voice working group
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney says she “won’t get ahead” of the efforts of a working group working on a proposed model for an Indigenous voice to parliament. Burney says those working on its design are “being very deliberate and being very careful” about the proposal being developed.
This is not something that has come out of nowhere. This has been talked about for generations with First Nations people.
Burney says the government and the parliament will decide what the final design will be.
There is some very well ventilated principles that have been agreed to that will inform the design of the voice. Things like it will be representative, things like it will be accountable and transparent. It will have gender parity, it will represent Torres Strait Islanders, it will have young people and, most importantly, it will be a representative body chosen by Aboriginal communities and not usurp existing organisations.
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Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney is speaking to David Speers on Insiders this morning. We will bring you the latest as it happens.
‘We did everything we could’
A tearful Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine said he was proud of the team despite its loss to world No 3 Argentina.
We did everything we could to give ourselves a chance in the game. When Argentina are celebrating like this, victory against Australia, it shows what kind of opposition we gave them.
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A story in three tweets
Supporters packed into the park, forcing police to close off access and saying it was “full” but the mood turned sombre as Argentina scored their second in the second half.
A story in three tweets:
Flares have gone off at darling harbour as the second half begins pic.twitter.com/EfbM2QnXzz
— Mostafa Rachwani (@Rachwani91) December 3, 2022
Despair and tension as Argentina score their second pic.twitter.com/j2SSawNIrd
— Mostafa Rachwani (@Rachwani91) December 3, 2022
Scenes in Darling Harbour as the Socceroos score to give themselves some hope pic.twitter.com/j2zjRvSyhW
— Mostafa Rachwani (@Rachwani91) December 3, 2022
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Disappointment and pride
Disappointment weighed heavy on crowds at the Socceroos viewing party in Darling Harbour this morning, after the team lost 2-1 to Argentina.
It was Australia’s first knockout match since 2006, and Sydney marked it with a huge turnout at the hastily organised public viewing sites.
Flares were sparked soon into the second half, thrown around the crowd, as they cheered and jeered to every tackle, and with Australia’s goal celebrated ecstatically.
Joshua Ciscato said it was “pure ecstasy” when the Socceroos scored, and that he was ultimately proud of their performance.
“It was a solid performance, they did us proud, but we were ecstatic when we scored. I couldn’t even see the screen, it was just limbs everywhere.
“The atmosphere here has been beautiful, and the setup here is pretty good, I’m just not sure why they didn’t have this for the group stage matches as well.”
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Good morning
And welcome to another Sunday morning Guardian live blog.
Massive crowds gathered at Federation Square and in Darling Harbour have been devastated as the Socceroos crashed out of their most successful World Cup run since 2006. Australia lost 2-1 to Argentina in a dramatic game that saw the Socceroos stage a last-ditch comeback.
Thousands of fans gathered in Federation Square in Melbourne during the early hours of Sunday morning where they let off flares in anticipation while Sydney Opera House lit up its sails in green and gold. Australia’s win over Denmark marked its second-ever appearance in the round of 16, forcing cities across the country to make bigger public spaces available for crowds looking to watch the game.
But hopes of a win against Argentina dimmed when Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez scored two goals in the first half. Australia didn’t give in, fight back in a dramatic second half Craig Goodwin scoring his second goal of the World Cup in the final 10 minutes. Darling Harbour and Fed Square erupted into chaos as fans held out hope for a comeback but it was not to be.
I’m Royce Kurmelovs, taking the blog through the morning. With so much going on out there, it’s easy to miss stuff, so if you spot something happening in Australia and think it should be on the blog, you can find me on Twitter at @RoyceRk2 where my DMs are open.
With that, let’s get started ...
