Hello. It's Friday, April 1 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
Let's start here
Australia's torpedoed French submarine program could eventually cost taxpayers billions, despite the contract being torn up well before construction was to begin.
Under questioning from Labor's Penny Wong during a Senate estimates hearing today, Defence Department deputy secretary Tony Dalton said demands for compensation were ongoing.
WONG: "We now have a situation where the taxpayer will pay up to $5.5b for non-existent submarines?"
DALTON: "The final negotiated settlement will be within that price, senator."
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham defended the government's actions, saying it was "willing to make difficult decisions".
What else is going on
- Cross-checking of death certificates in NSW has revealed more than 300 additional COVID-19 deaths, bringing the state's total to more than 2,400. Data recorded by the state's Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages shows an extra 331 COVID-19 related deaths between January 2020 and March 2022, with certified doctors listing the virus as "a contributing factor or cause of death"
- The founders of the Razzies have rescinded a satirical award they created to poke fun at Bruce Willis after the actor's family revealed he'd been diagnosed with a cognitive condition. People called for an apology after the awards group speculated that the diagnosis "explains why he wanted to go out with a bang"
What Australia has been searching for online
Harry Styles. YES, AGAIN. I DON'T MAKE THE RULES. He's trending online today because he's officially released his new single, As It Was, which Rolling Stone has described as "both a straight-from-the-heart cry and an irresistible dance-floor challenge"
Anthony Albanese. If you haven't caught up on last night's federal budget reply speech, here's a breakdown of what the Opposition Leader said in response to the Treasurer's announcement on Tuesday
One more thing
It's been another rough news week. Let's end it with something a bit more fun.
Have you been caught out by an April Fools joke today? Some of them are pretty obvious, but there are a few that are a little more subtle that can trip some people up.
See if you can pick out the truth below:
You're up to date
Thanks for reading.
ABC/wires
