Hello, it's Friday, June 17. Here's what you need to get caught up on today's news.
One thing to know: Anthony Albanese had his first National Cabinet meeting
Here's the upshot: the federal government has extended a pandemic health funding deal.
- The federal government has agreed to extend a 50-50 hospital funding agreement with the states and territories through to the end of the year.
- The agreement for funding to help manage COVID-19 cases was made at the height of the pandemic and was due to end in September.
- The three months of extra funding for COVID-related expenses will cost the Commonwealth an additional $760 million.
- State and territory leaders went into today's National Cabinet meeting seeking an extension, arguing it was needed to deal with continuing high case numbers.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a separate, broader review of the national healthcare system will also be launched, aimed at bolstering support outside of hospitals.
Here's what the PM had to say after the meeting:
"Clearly the decision that we made today to extend the funding is a recognition that there are currently around about 3,000 people in hospital as a result of COVID," he said.
"It is still having an impact."
We heard a lot about the Capitol riots hearing in the US
In case you've missed it, the US House Committee is investigating the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.
The third day of public hearings focused on former president Donald Trump's attempts to block the certification of Joe Biden's election victory.
The hearing also heard America's democracy came "dangerously close to catastrophe".
Here were the key moments:
- John Eastman was the conservative lawyer advising the Trump campaign who came up with the theory that vice-president Mike Pence could stop the vote certification in Congress.
- The committee played videotaped testimony from Eric Herschmann, another Trump lawyer, expressing incredulity at Eastman's theory, saying: "Are you out of your effing mind? … You're going to cause riots in the streets."
- The committee heard Donald Trump tried to persuade Pence to stop formally declaring the election result.
- Pence's former chief of staff, Marc Short, said Pence told Trump "many times" he didn't agree with the scheme but Trump kept up the pressure.
- The panel's vice-chair, Republican Liz Cheney, said by refusing Trump's demands, Pence "did his duty".
- California representative Pete Aguilar, a Democrat on the committee, said rioters who broke into the Capitol made it just 40 feet away from Pence.
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The committee showed never-before-seen photos of Pence, evacuated to a secure location, reading one of Trump's tweets.
The news Australia is searching for
- Warriors v Celtics: The Golden State Warriors won their fourth NBA title in eight seasons, beating the Boston Celtics 103-90 to win the finals series 4-2.
- Beyonce: The superstar has revealed the title and release date for what appears to be her first proper solo album since 2016. It's called Renaissance and arrives July 29.
- Kevin Spacey: The actor's lawyer said he "strenuously" denies allegations of sex offences as Spacey made his first appearance at a British court to face charges dating back almost 20 years.
News you might have missed
- Netball Australia: Netball Australia's chief executive hasn't ruled out seeking gambling sponsorships for added revenue, but denies reports the sport is on the verge of financial collapse.
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Revlon: The cosmetics company filed for bankruptcy after nearly 90 years in business. It said it hopes to keep its day-to-day operations running.
One last thing: Pauline Hanson will remain in the Senate
The One Nation senator has retained her Queensland Senate seat ahead of the LNP's Amanda Stoker.
It means the former Liberal frontbencher has been pushed out of parliament.
That's it for now
We'll be back on Monday with more.
ABC/wires
