Peter Dutton says he will not show Aboriginal flag at media conferences if elected PM
Caitlin Cassidy
The opposition chief has confirmed that if he’s elected subsequent yr he’ll solely show the Australian flag at press conferences, arguing that to fly the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags could be “dividing our country unnecessarily” and sending a “confusing message”.
Chatting with Peta Credlin on Sky final evening, Peter Dutton stated he strongly believed Australia was a rustic “united under one flag”:
If we’re asking individuals to establish with totally different flags … we’re dividing our nation unnecessarily … I feel the very fact is that we should always rise up for who we’re, for our values as a rustic which is what we should always do in Australia.
We should always worth and respect our heritage, and we must also communicate much more about our migrant story, the unimaginable story of people that got here right here, notably within the post-second world conflict interval, with nothing, and have labored arduous as trainees, as farmers, and so they’ve educated their youngsters. The subsequent era has achieved extremely properly … that’s the view I’ve taken.
Based on the Division of Prime Minister and Cupboard, Australian flags embody the Aboriginal flag, the Torres Strait Islander flag and plenty of ensigns utilized in defence and civilian organisations. The Aboriginal flag was first recognised as a nationwide emblem by the previous Labor chief Paul Keating within the Nineties and this has been upheld by subsequent governments.
Key occasions
Burns claims Dutton instructed Paterson to not learn out his ready assertion at press convention
Labor MP Josh Burns has been talking with ABC RN, the place he claimed Peter Dutton intervened in a press convention involving shadow residence affairs minister James Paterson, instructing him to not learn out a press release he had ready relating to the Melbourne synagogue assault.
Burns stated he was unwell and couldn’t attend the deliberate joint press convention with Paterson, claiming:
I felt okay, however I sounded horrible, and I agreed to do a rise up press convention with James Patterson, the senator for the Liberal Occasion, and James agreed to learn out a press release from me, as a result of I believed it was actually vital there be a united entrance.
Sadly, proper earlier than we obtained on, Peter Dutton intervened and advised James that he wasn’t allowed to learn out the assertion. Peter Dutton advised James that he wasn’t allowed to learn out my phrases.
I needed to face out with James and current a united entrance on this, and Peter Dutton determined that it was extra vital to play partisan video games and to permit my phrases that I bodily couldn’t communicate to be learn out. And I evaluate that with the management of the synagogue who’ve been working with individuals proper throughout the political aisle, and have been heroic and stoic within the face of probably the most unimaginable ache …
I’m not within the partisan video games or private assaults. I’m involved in making an attempt to assist the neighborhood. I’m involved in supporting my neighborhood, supporting those that are affected by this, and in addition tackling antisemitism. That’s what I’ll proceed to do.
Shadow residence affairs minister on Melbourne synagogue assault
The shadow residence affairs minister, James Paterson, stated the Adass Israel neighborhood is “disappointed” extra political leaders haven’t come to witness the scene of the synagogue assault.
Chatting with ABC Information Breakfast earlier, he stated:
They do really feel disillusioned that extra political leaders haven’t come and witnessed the scenes themselves and seen it. We’re now 5 days from this occurring and the prime minister hasn’t attended, nor as any senior minister of the federal government. That’s an vital present of solidarity and it’s reflective of the federal government’s priorities the prime minister has chosen to do different issues, somewhat than do that.
Paterson argued that the “moral clarity in calling out this cancer of antisemitism” has been lacking. Requested about feedback from Asio chief Mike Burgess that he’s involved about stress and that political events ought to come collectively, he responded:
We have to be measured and calm in our language, but it surely’s additionally the job of the opposition to carry a authorities to account for what they see as failings.
Was it applicable for Peter Dutton to criticise Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns? Paterson argued “the Labor Party has stopped listening to Josh a long time ago”.
I don’t go to a Jewish neighborhood perform with out somebody coming as much as me, saying they’re a lifelong member of the Labor Occasion, however this time they gained’t be supporting the Labor Occasion … as a result of they really feel let down.
McKenzie says she is ‘excited’ at prospect of restoring ‘primacy’ of Australian flag
Amanda Rishworth additionally responded to experiences that Peter Dutton gained’t show the Aboriginal flag at media conferences if he’s elected as PM (see earlier submit).
She stated this was the “opposition leader trying to just create a headline again”.
I proudly go to colleges, I current Australian flags, I current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags … I feel we are able to take quite a lot of delight in our historical past and the way forward for this nation. I feel that is Peter Dutton simply doing what he is aware of learn how to do greatest – try to get a headline with no substance, no actual insurance policies about, for instance, tackling value of residing or issues that actually matter to the Australian individuals.
Bridget McKenzie defended the transfer, and stated:
That by no means denigrates the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, however [the flag] is the one factor that does unite us. Our frequent future, regardless of our totally different pasts, and so I’m excited to be a part of a future Dutton authorities if we get that nice privilege, and to revive the primacy of the Australian flag.
Rishworth accuses McKenzie of ‘playing politics’ with synagogue terror assault
On the Right now Present earlier this morning, Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie spoke concerning the synagogue terror assault in Melbourne, taking purpose on the PM:
His flaccid response to the rise of antisemitism on our streets over the past 14 months has completely led us to the place we’re in at this time, which is surprising.
However the minister for social providers, Amanda Rishworth, who was additionally on this system, stated she was “disappointed to see Bridget just playing politics with this”. She listed measures the federal government had taken – together with a police taskforce with Asio, AFP and native authorities, funding to assist the Jewish neighborhood, the particular envoy, outlawing of Nazi symbols and laws to extend the penalties for hate crimes – and stated:
We’re higher than that, and collectively we have to unite and never divide. And I’m actually disillusioned to see Bridget simply enjoying politics with this. Individuals are exhausted of politics. The Asio boss stated that we shouldn’t be utilizing language that inflames the scenario … So it’s time all of us come collectively and make an unequivocal assertion that that is simply unacceptable.
Paul Karp
ETU to protest CFMEU administration exterior parliament at this time
Persevering with from our final submit, there can even be a rally exterior parliament at this time, with the Electrical Trades Union and others protesting towards the administration.
The ETU NSW ACT secretary, Allen Hicks, stated:
The laws is not only an assault on the CFMEU; it threatens the rights of all union members and the ideas we stand for. These legal guidelines will set a authorized precedent that can end in diminished security requirements, decrease wages, situations and rights for staff not simply within the building business, however throughout the board.
If the federal authorities thinks that we’ll sit again quietly and permit politicians to systemically undermine all the things democratic unions have fought for over the many years, they’re sadly mistaken.
Paul Karp
Excessive court docket to listen to CFMEU problem
The excessive court docket will at this time and tomorrow hear the previous building union officers’ problem towards the Albanese authorities’s legislation appointing directors to run the union after accusations of prison misconduct and bikie hyperlinks.
The problem was introduced by sacked Queensland and Northern Territory building secretary, Michael Ravbar, and former assistant secretary, William Kane Lowth. It argues that the legislation breaches the separation of powers and the implied freedom of political communication.
That’s as a result of the legislation “has an impugned purpose of limiting or preventing” the development union from making political donations, incurring expenditure and interesting in political communication.
The plaintiffs cite the very fact the potential administrator, Mark Irving, assured forward of his appointment that the development union wouldn’t make political donations. That assertion, to the shadow office relations minister, Michaelia Money, was mentioned in parliamentary debates by the employment minister, Murray Watt.
In its defence, the commonwealth stated the aim of the legislation was to allow the development division “swiftly to be returned to a state in which it is governed and operates lawfully and effectively in its members’ interests, for the ultimate goal of facilitating the operation of the federal workplace relations system”.
The commonwealth stated the plaintiffs case amounted to trying to “conjure up a constitutionally impermissible purpose” by analyzing legislators’ motives. It additionally argued that the way in which the administrator exercised the ability was distinct from the legislation appointing her or him to take over the union.
Extra from AAP on test-fire of Tomahawk missile by Australian warship
Persevering with from our final submit, the chief of Navy Mark Hammond described the pace of the step taken as an “historic advancement”.
The improved lethality of our floor fleet is a essential and far wanted assurance mechanism to make sure our continued entry to the ocean, which sustains our livelihoods. We’re doing all the things humanly and legally attainable to optimise the Royal Australian Navy’s floor combatant fleet as rapidly as attainable.
Australian Nationwide College skilled affiliate Jennifer Parker stated the nation didn’t have any of those capabilities 12 months in the past.
This announcement reveals how arduous the ADF and the navy really labored to ship what’s a major change of their missile functionality … in months, that’s spectacular. I truthfully can’t consider a time in navy’s fashionable historical past the place it has enhanced lethality by that a lot in a interval of a few years.
The defence minister Richard Marles stated the check firing demonstrated the power of the US alliance.
By enhancing our personal defence capabilities, and by working with companions, we modify the calculus for any potential aggressor in order that no state will ever conclude the advantages of battle outweigh the dangers.
‘History’ hailed as navy check fires 2500km missile
Dramatic imaginative and prescient captures the launch of a long-range missile able to travelling virtually 20 instances additional than different weapons in Australia’s arsenal, AAP experiences.
Australian warship, the HMAS Brisbane, has test-fired a Tomahawk missile off the US west coast. Marking an “historic advancement” by the navy, this will increase the strike vary to 2500km – the identical distance as Melbourne to Townsville.
The ageing Harpoon anti-ship missile has a variety of simply 124km. Tomahawk missiles are used to assault land targets and might take out essential infrastructure together with airfields and runways. The defence strategic assessment, launched in 2023, really helpful fast-tracking the acquisition of long-range strike capabilities.
Australia is considered one of three nations alongside the US and UK to amass and hearth the missiles. The firing of this Tomahawk on 3 December follows launches of the naval strike missile and commonplace missile – 6 earlier in 2024, which even have higher ranges than the Harpoon.
The navy will purchase greater than 200 Tomahawk missiles at a price of $1.3bn. The missiles will probably be fitted to the three Hobart class destroyer warships and future Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines to be delivered underneath the AUKUS partnership.
RBA set to cap 2024 leaving rates of interest unchanged for a ninth assembly
Peter Hannam
The Reserve Financial institution board wraps up its newest assembly at this time and is universally anticipated to go away the money charge unchanged at 4.35%. That’s the place it has sat since November final yr, at the same time as lots of its abroad counterparts have been slicing their borrowing charges.
RBA governor Michele Bullock will comply with the two.30pm (AEDT) charges verdict along with her commonplace media convention an hour later. The main focus could be on whether or not the central financial institution is tilting in the direction of an early rate of interest reduce.
The final two board conferences have solely thought-about leaving the money charge unchanged, and so maybe this month’s gathering can even embody an evaluation of whether or not there needs to be an rate of interest reduce. If there may be such a consideration, anticipate a little bit of hype round the potential of the RBA kicking off 2025 with a charge reduce when its board subsequent meets.
Supporting such a weighing of options was the unexpectedly weak September quarter GDP figures, out final week. These confirmed the financial system rising at an annual tempo of simply 0.8%, or the bottom because the Nineties recession should you exclude the Covid lockdown-era contortions.
The RBA’s personal forecast has GDP quickening to an annual tempo of 1.5% by the top of 2024, a determine now unlikely to be reached except December ends with a development spurt.
Extra doubtless, the RBA will lastly drop its impression that it’d nonetheless be open to mountaineering the money charge another time to make sure inflation “sustainably” returns to its 2% to three% goal vary. “Not ruling anything in or out” –Bullock’s mantra for the previous yr might lastly be dominated out.
Bullock may additionally be eager to see how the Albanese authorities’s mid-year financial and financial outlook shapes up. Will there be some large pre-election spending guarantees when Myefo lands (doubtless on 18 December)?
The quarterly inflation figures, for the December quarter, gained’t be launched by the ABS till 29 January – considered one of many causes the RBA will probably be taking a wait-and-see strategy.
Good morning
Emily Wind
Emily Wind right here, signing on for running a blog duties. Because of Martin for kicking issues off for us!
I’ll be taking you thru our rolling protection for many of at this time. As all the time, you will get in contact with any suggestions through e mail: emily.wind@theguardian.com.
Let’s get began.
Childcare prices soar
Bills for households with a baby aged youthful than 5 are 27% increased than in 2021, based on analysis that reveals they’re struggling most from the cost-of-living disaster, Australian Related Press experiences.
Whereas headline inflation has fallen to 2.8%, each day out-of-pocket childcare prices are nonetheless about $50 a baby, evaluation by Affect Economics and Coverage reveals.
That is additional proof of the necessity for severe reform, together with the $10-a-day out-of-pocket childcare charge cap the federal government is reportedly contemplating as an election promise, Minderoo Basis’s Thrive by 5 marketing campaign says.
Beneath this mannequin, a household paying $50 out-of-pocket a day with a baby attending three days every week may save $120 every week, or $6240 a yr.
Minderoo Basis’s Jay Weatherill stated:
Working dad and mom proceed to battle financially whereas inflation begins to ease for different demographics.
This analysis is but extra proof of the ineffectiveness of Australia’s present childcare mannequin and the kid care subsidy.
It’s clearly not working, as a result of each time the federal government raises the subsidy, suppliers elevate their charges and households see little to no financial savings. Households with younger youngsters want it now.
A month in the past childcare was recognized because the third fastest-growing value within the shopper worth index, behind insurance coverage and tobacco.
The price of childcare elevated 10.7% within the 12 months to September.
Caitlin Cassidy
Order restored on Rottnest Island
An “out of control gathering” was declared on Rottnest Island on the weekend after a number of complaints over a considerable amount of younger individuals.
About 9.15pm on Friday, Western Australia’s police stated they’d obtained plenty of complaints relating to juveniles gathering between Longreach and The Basin on Rottnest Island.
Upon attendance, police allege numerous juveniles have been seen consuming alcohol and displaying delinquent behaviour.
The officer accountable for Rottnest Island police declared the incident an “out of control gathering”, which allowed sources from the regional operation group (rog) to be deployed.
Police stated order had been restored and bigger teams had been moved from the seashore, with most heeding instructions. Extra sources have been deployed on the weekend, with a small variety of offences together with assaults and disorderly behaviour topic to investigation.
Police stated:
WA Police works intently with the Rottnest Island authority to supply early intervention and management measures for occasions involving giant teams of individuals.
Swimming legend Daybreak Fraser hospitalised after fall
Australian Olympic swimmer Daybreak Fraser is reportedly “stable” in hospital after a fall.
The 87-year-old sporting nice was hospitalised final Wednesday and hung out in intensive care with damaged ribs and a damaged wrist, Seven Information reported.
The ABC quoted a household good friend saying Fraser had suffered a fall whereas at her daughter’s residence on the Sunshine Coast, and had damaged her hip and 4 ribs. She had surgical procedure for a hip alternative and was already again up strolling once more after emergency surgical procedure final Thursday, the good friend stated.
The CEO of Swimming Australia, Rob Woodhouse, stated on Monday the physique had heard again from Fraser’s household and understood she was secure. He stated:
Daybreak is an Australian residing treasure – an icon of our sport – and we want her a speedy, wholesome and [full] restoration.
The household confirmed the accidents to media in a press release on Monday, saying her restoration was progressing.
The Australian Olympic Committee chair, Ian Chesterman, stated Fraser was “an icon of Olympic sport and like so many Australians we are pleased to hear she is making good progress”.
Peter Dutton says he will not show Aboriginal flag at media conferences if elected PM
Caitlin Cassidy
The opposition chief has confirmed that if he’s elected subsequent yr he’ll solely show the Australian flag at press conferences, arguing that to fly the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags could be “dividing our country unnecessarily” and sending a “confusing message”.
Chatting with Peta Credlin on Sky final evening, Peter Dutton stated he strongly believed Australia was a rustic “united under one flag”:
If we’re asking individuals to establish with totally different flags … we’re dividing our nation unnecessarily … I feel the very fact is that we should always rise up for who we’re, for our values as a rustic which is what we should always do in Australia.
We should always worth and respect our heritage, and we must also communicate much more about our migrant story, the unimaginable story of people that got here right here, notably within the post-second world conflict interval, with nothing, and have labored arduous as trainees, as farmers, and so they’ve educated their youngsters. The subsequent era has achieved extremely properly … that’s the view I’ve taken.
Based on the Division of Prime Minister and Cupboard, Australian flags embody the Aboriginal flag, the Torres Strait Islander flag and plenty of ensigns utilized in defence and civilian organisations. The Aboriginal flag was first recognised as a nationwide emblem by the previous Labor chief Paul Keating within the Nineties and this has been upheld by subsequent governments.
Welcome
Martin Farrer
Good morning and welcome to our dwell information weblog. I’m Martin Farrer with the highest in a single day tales for Australia earlier than my colleague Emily Wind will take over.
Peter Dutton has confirmed in an interview on Sky Information that if he’s elected subsequent yr he’ll solely show the Australian flag at press conferences, arguing that to fly the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags could be “dividing our country unnecessarily” and sending a “confusing message”. We now have extra particulars developing.
The Reserve Financial institution is extensively anticipated to go away rates of interest on maintain after its financial coverage assembly at this time, marking greater than a yr of charges at 4.35% in a interval that has heaped ache on households with excessive borrowing prices. It comes as a examine launched at this time finds that younger households are bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living disaster. Extra developing.
The Olympic swimming nice Daybreak Fraser has been taken to hospital after struggling a fall, based on media experiences. The triple Olympic 100m freestyle champion broke a number of bones within the fall, the experiences stated, and was secure in hospital after surgical procedure. Extra developing.