Hello. It's Wednesday, February 2 and you're starting the day with a quick wrap of some key news headlines here with The Loop.
Let's start here
Remember last year's release of findings from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, that called for better wages and a new national registration scheme for all personal care workers?
Since that report was released, unions and industry groups argue things have only gotten worse, with the COVID pandemic exacerbating funding and workforce issues.
Right now, the Fair Work Commission is considering a case brought forward by the unions calling for a substantial wage increase for residential and home care workers amid a mass exodus of staff leaving the industry.
Political reporter Stephanie Dalzell has done a deeper dive into where the case is up to, what happens from here and why it's so important — take a closer look here.
One thing you’ll be hearing about today
Australian music industry great Glenn Wheatley has died aged 74.
Wheatley was a member of rock band The Masters Apprentices before shifting his focus to management and worked closely with several big names in Australian music including John Farnham and Delta Goodrem.
The Masters Apprentices shared a statement on social media saying they're "deeply saddened" by Wheatley's passing.
"We will miss him greatly. Our deepest sympathies to his wife Gaynor, son Tim and daughters Samantha and Kara," the statement says.
It's understood Wheatley died of complications from COVID-19 in Melbourne.
News while you snoozed
- In his first direct public comments on Ukraine for weeks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of ignoring security concerns and deliberately creating a scenario designed to lure it into war. "It's already clear now ... that fundamental Russian concerns were ignored," he told a news conference
- The Socceroos have suffered a blow to their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification, with a 2-2 draw against Oman. It puts them three points behind Japan and four points behind group B leaders Saudi Arabia, with the top two sides earning automatic qualification to the World Cup in Qatar later this year
What Australia has been searching for online
- Anne Frank. Dutch book publisher Ambo Anthos has suspended the printing of a book that suggests a Jewish notary betrayed the Frank family after researchers said the publication was "full of errors", but one of the investigators quoted in the book says the research team was "completely surprised" by the publisher's message
- Rihanna. Fans are over the moon about yesterday's long-awaited baby bump debut, and everyone's waiting for more info. She's since announced the release of her brand Fenty Beauty's new lip collection, but no further pregnancy details at this stage
One more thing
The Prime Minister's National Press Club address was yesterday — but it's looking like we'll be hearing about the fallout for a little while yet.
ICYMI, text messages allegedly exchanged between former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and an unnamed senior cabinet minister were revealed live after Scott Morrison's speech where the PM was reportedly called a "horrible, horrible person" who was "more concerned with politics than people", a "fraud" and a "complete psycho", among other things.
Here's how it went down:
Ms Berejiklian said in a statement she has "no recollection of such messages" and reiterated her "very strong support for Prime Minister Morrison and all he is doing for our nation during these very challenging times".
The PM also talked in his speech about how he "hasn't got everything right" during the COVID pandemic and will "take my fair share of the criticism and blame", but stopped short of actually saying sorry.
You're up to date
Thanks for reading. See you later for the PM edition of The Loop.
ABC/wires
