Here's what you need to know this morning.
Barilaro inquiry sits again
Today the parliamentary inquiry into the John Barilaro US trade job saga will hear evidence from two new witnesses.
The first will be Marianne Broadbent, a managing partner for NGS Global, who helped with the recruitment process for the America trade position.
NSW Global undertook screening of candidates, reference checks and provided candidate commentary and rankings.
The second witness will be Warwick Smith, who was on the selection panel for the New York-based job.
Mr Smith has significant experience in the business community and was once a Liberal MP for the seat of Bass in Tasmania.
Today is the seventh sitting of the inquiry, which is investigating the circumstances around former deputy premier Mr Barilaro's appointment as US trade commissioner.
Mr Barilaro has since withdrawn from the job.
Alleged fraudsters enabled by tax agents and accounts
Four men who have been charged for allegedly obtaining more than $1.3 million through fake government grant applications worked with tax agents and accountants to pull off the scams, police will allege in court.
The men aged 34, 39, 44 and 51, have each been charged with a string of offences including dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception in relation to natural disasters and COVID-19 pandemic grants.
A further $459,000 in fraudulent grant applications were allegedly submitted by the syndicate but were prevented from being paid.
Financial Crimes Squad Commander Con Galea said the men were enabled by tax agents and accountants.
“We are working closely with our state and federal counterparts to identify criminal networks that are exploiting government revenue streams and will hold those responsible to account," Detective Acting Superintendent Galea said.
“Those who continue to partake in this grubby behaviour should know that they’ve already been identified, and police will be paying them a visit shortly."
Sea cargo bust nabs $675m worth of drugs
Almost 750 kilograms of methylamphetamine headed for Sydney streets has been intercepted by authorities.
Australian Border Force officers found the drugs, with a potential street value of $675 million, in a cargo container at Port Botany last month.
Three men were charged yesterday, refused bail, and are due to appear in court today.
Scott Morrison's actions 'unprecedented'
A constitutional law expert from the University of NSW says former prime minister Scott Morrison's decision to appoint himself to five ministries undermined Australia's political system.
Mr Morrison said it was necessary for him to have the additional powers in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic so he could act in the national interest.
But leading constitutional lawyer George Williams called the measures "unprecedented" and argued the fact that similar actions were not taken during the two world wars was evidence such a move by Mr Morrison was unnecessary.
"We don't have a presidential system, we have a cabinet-based system, and that system is based upon trust and it relies on a group of people governing the country to deal with that crisis," Professor Williams said.
"What we saw was a response that undermined the effectiveness of that system by doubling up on jobs, by removing the proper scrutiny of parliament. I think that rather than helping, it actually threatened to undermine those efforts."
More train talks in bid to halt strikes
Rail unions and the government are expected to meet today to try to resolve their dispute ahead of further planned strike action next week.
It follows a six-hour strike yesterday that saw services on some train lines cancelled and reduced.
Employee Relations Minister Damien Tudehope says the government has prepared a deed of agreement addressing the union's safety concerns on the intercity fleet, which will be put to the union today.
Rail Union secretary Alex Claassens said strike action was set to proceed next Tuesday and Thursday.
"Unless of course something brilliant comes floating down out of government where government actually gives us some guarantees," he said.
"Firstly, around fixing the safety issues with the train and sitting down with the unions and [having] a proper conversation around conditions and wages."
Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland said he was hopeful more disruption could be averted.
"We're hopeful we will get a resolution but we again call on unions, please, where this is causing impact on customers, rethink their actions planned for next week."
Conservation plan will not protect koalas, Greens say
The Greens say a conservation plan that has been finalised for the Cumberland Plain in Sydney's west will not protect koalas or other threatened species.
While unveiling the plan yesterday, the state government described it as a "first of its kind" that will protect important biodiversity and koala populations.
It will also see land cleared to make way for more than 70,000 new homes.
But Greens MP Cate Faehrmann says the plan will see 11,000 hectares of sensitive woodland areas cleared.
She says it will not save Sydney's koalas but will instead facilitate the very urban expansion that is driving them to extinction.
