Ben Roberts-Smith invited to attend Queen’s funeral
Ben Doherty
Ben Roberts-Smith, the previous Australian soldier publicly accused of warfare crimes, is meaning to journey to London to take part in memorial occasions for the late Queen Elizabeth II, recognition of his standing as a winner of the Victoria Cross.
As a matter of protocol, winners of Australia’s pre-eminent navy honour are invited by Buckingham Palace to take part in occasions commemorating the lifetime of the sovereign.
Roberts-Smith, a former corporal within the SAS, is awaiting a judgment in a defamation case he introduced in opposition to three Australian newspapers.
He’s suing for defamation the Age, the Sydney Morning Herald, and the Canberra Occasions over experiences he alleges wrongly painting him as a warfare felony and assassin.
The newspapers are defending their reporting as true, together with allegations Roberts-Smith was complicit in six murders whereas deployed to Afghanistan, was a bully, and a perpetrator of home violence. Roberts-Smith denies any wrongdoing.
The Australian federal police have performed warfare crimes investigations into allegations in opposition to Roberts-Smith, and have submitted briefs of proof to the commonwealth director of public prosecutions.
Roberts-Smith gained his VC for his actions through the 2010 battle of Tizak in southern Afghanistan. He was invested together with his medal by the then governor basic Quentin Bryce in 2011, and was additionally invited to an viewers with the late Queen.
Different Australian winners of the Victoria Cross, Mark Donaldson, Daniel Keighran, and Keith Payne are additionally anticipated to attend occasions within the UK.
Key occasions
Benita Kolovos
Speeches honouring Queen Elizabeth II are nonetheless moving into Victoria’s parliament this afternoon.
Kew MP Tim Smith, who will retire on the upcoming state election after crashing his luxurious automotive whereas inebriated, simply wrapped up his speech.
He informed parliament he was privileged to attend the Queen’s closing backyard occasion together with his mom on the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in 2019 earlier than suggesting she would’ve favored to have “confined Harry and Meghan and Andrew to the Tower of London”:
Her late majesty was resplendent in pink, and as Menzies mentioned all these years in the past, ‘I did however see her passing by, and I shall love her until I die’. The late Queen endured many trials and lots of tribulations, normally attributable to members of her instant household. I’m certain at low factors in current occasions, Her Majesty may presumably have privately wished for as soon as once more the power to summarily confined Harry and Megan and Andrew to the Tower of London, or presumably worse. However regardless of being the fount of justice, these prerogative powers have been considerably decreased over the previous few centuries.
Amanda Meade
9 newspapers’ employees settle for pay rise provide, averting strike
Journalists on the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age have accepted the corporate’s provide of a 4% pay rise, avoiding a strike later within the week.
Editorial employees at 9 Leisure’s publishing arm, which additionally consists of the Australian Monetary Overview, WAToday and the Brisbane Occasions, held a union assembly in the present day to contemplate a closing provide from administration.
The 2-year pay deal they accepted was a 4% improve for graded journalists within the first 12 months and a 3.5% improve for graded journalists within the second 12 months.
9’s managing director of publishing, James Chessell, urged employees on Monday to simply accept the deal and keep away from “souring” the model by taking industrial motion.
“This can be a closing provide, which implies there isn’t any extra to present,” Chessell mentioned on Monday.
But when we are able to agree in precept to this deal, we are able to pay everybody their improve and all transfer ahead with out this hanging over our collective heads. We will give attention to investing in our newsrooms, shoring up our subscriber numbers and creating the unbelievable journalism that we’re identified for.
Peter Hannam
Bureau of Meteorology confirms additional La Nina particulars
As we reported a couple of hours again, the Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed {that a} La Nina has change into “established” within the tropical Pacific.
La Ninas, El Ninos should not about situations switching on or off, however the marking of sure thresholds being crossed.
Because the chart under reveals, the situations for a La Nina are solely simply being reached – and the forecast for now could be for a comparatively shallow occasion:
That’s in all probability a great signal as a result of an excessive La Nina would solely add to the chances of one other flood-prone summer season.
We’ll have extra particulars on this story that we filed earlier, however will likely be up to date quickly:
Good afternoon, and similar to every single day, we start by giving thanks for Amy Remeikis and her continuously stellar work. Mostafa Rachwani with you this afternoon, with a lot nonetheless to get via.
Sarah Martin
Ben Roberts-Smith might journey to UK on public funds
The division of Defence has additionally confirmed that taxpayers are in line to foot the invoice for Ben Roberts-Smith journey to the UK to attend the Queen’s funeral.
Whereas a spokesperson confirmed that the Victoria Cross invitees can be travelling “through industrial means” and never with the prime minister’s delegation, the division has additionally confirmed that it’s going to cowl the price of flights upon request.
“The federal government is offering help upon request to these invited by the UK to attend the funeral,” the spokesperson mentioned.
In the meantime, Roberts-Smith has additionally spoken to The West Australian newspaper, owned by Seven West Media which is chaired by Kerry Stokes who’s bankrolling Roberts-Smith’s defamation case.
Roberts-Smith says he feels “extraordinarily privileged” to be attending the funeral.
“It actually is a good honour to have the ability to be there for this unhappy event.”
Mostafa Rachwani goes to take you thru the remainder of the afternoon as a result of he’s extremely gracious, and in addition, rostered on for the afternoon shift.
He’ll let you realize the remainder of the day’s information, however thanks to everybody who joined together with us to date. I’ll be again tomorrow morning – maintain you.
Emmy awards wrap
For these within the Emmy’s, however not sufficient to look at it, Succession gained finest drama, The White Lotus gained finest restricted collection, Ted Lasso gained finest comedy and Jennifer Coolidge gained your entire night time.
Measles case in NSW
A measles case has been confirmed in NSW, the primary since February 2020.
From NSW Well being:
The case, an individual of their 50s, acquired their an infection whereas travelling in Asia final month. The particular person developed signs after returning to Sydney and is now remoted in hospital.
Since turning into unwell the particular person has frolicked within the following places whereas infectious:
-
St Andrew’s Catholic Church Malabar for mass, Sunday 4 September at 10.30am
-
Tyree Power Constructing, College of NSW on Tuesday 6 September (all day)
-
Lounge Restaurant, College of NSW on Tuesday 6 September, 12.15pm to 2pm
-
Pacific Sq., Maroubra on Wednesday 7 September, 9am to 11am
Dr Jeremy McAnulty, government director of well being safety at NSW Well being, mentioned that these places don’t pose an ongoing threat however urged individuals who could also be prone to measles and have been current on the above places on these days to be alert for signs till 24 September.
Individuals who haven’t had two lifetime doses of measles vaccine, a confirmed historical past of measles an infection, or who’ve a weakened immune system are thought-about prone to measles.
Signs of measles embrace fever, sore eyes and a cough adopted three or 4 days later by a crimson, blotchy rash spreading from the top and neck to the remainder of the physique.
RBA governor to reply questions from Senate committee
The RBA governor, Dr Philip Lowe, will reply questions from the home Standing Committee on Economics subsequent Friday, in what would be the committee’s first public listening to of the brand new parliament.
Committee Chair, Dr Daniel Mulino MP, mentioned that with “Australia experiencing its highest inflation in 20 years, family budgets are feeling the stress.
”Australians have additionally seen rates of interest rise for the previous 5 months, which not solely impacts mortgage holders and households however small companies and funding, too.
On this context, persevering with scrutiny of our financial coverage settings stays necessary, significantly in view of the necessity to be taught from previous choices,” Mulino mentioned.
Accordingly, the committee will probe the current choices of the RBA concerning rate of interest coverage, the challenges of tackling excessive inflation, and the RBA’s method to returning inflation to the 2-3% vary.
The committee listening to will thus complement, not replicate, the work of the Unbiased Overview of the Reserve Financial institution introduced by the Treasurer in July, Mulino mentioned.
Paul Karp
Senate crossbench has blended on potential delay to integrity fee invoice
Crossbench senators have had a blended response to the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, showing guilty them for any delay in passing the Nationwide Anti-Corruption Fee invoice.
David Pocock thinks it could actually nonetheless be improved and handed this 12 months, however Jacqui Lambie favours a couple of months’ delay if it means getting it proper.
Pocock informed Guardian Australia:
We had some good early engagement with the federal government on the design of the Nationwide Anti-Corruption Fee (NACC). This engagement was round design ideas and didn’t go to a nice grain stage of element on the laws.
We’ve been informed the laws is drafted and able to be launched. To quick observe the consideration of this laws, an publicity draft might be launched in the present day.
I consider it’s doable to make sure the NACC is legislated this 12 months, whereas additionally offering correct scrutiny via a committee course of and guaranteeing the ultimate kind is strong and may guarantee it has the mandatory powers to research corruption. We should get this accomplished and we should get it proper. I’m not serious about delaying or standing in the way in which, however I do need to be sure that the fee has actual energy and integrity.”
Lambie mentioned:
I don’t suppose Labor could be blamed for the loss of life of the Queen, so you’ll be able to’t blame them for issues being delayed on account of it. It’s extra necessary that we get an anti-corruption fee proper. I feel individuals will perceive a couple of months’ delay if it means it’s accomplished correctly. You possibly can’t eat a half-cooked chook. It’s bought to be absolutely baked.”
Seafood {industry} planning for post-Covid restoration
Australia’s seafood {industry} is hoping to bounce again after a reasonably terrible time through the pandemic, AAP experiences:
(I refuse to make use of a seafood pun, however AAP just isn’t as restrained).
The Australian seafood {industry} desires to hook new worldwide clients with an industry-first plan that goals to develop the export market to $2bn by 2030.
The seafood {industry} was badly harm by Covid-19 with exports dropping by 14% through the pandemic.
The Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative, which represents principally lobster fishers in Western Australia, has suffered a 50% drop in income in recent times. CEO Mark Rutter mentioned a powerful nationwide method to exports is badly wanted.
“We’ve got an enormous alternative, and we haven’t essentially up till now capitalised on that,” Rutter informed AAP.
The plan targets plenty of seafood sectors together with the {industry} chief, lobster, which pre-Covid was value as much as $900m and suffered from China’s ban on dwell lobster imports from Australia in 2020.
“China for us continues to be a extremely necessary strategic market, we’d like to see it open once more,” Rutter mentioned.
Seafood Trade Australia chief government, Veronica Papacosta, mentioned the necessity for the plan was recognized out of Covid-19, with the pandemic seeing exports drop to $1.2bn in recent times.
Papacosta mentioned Covid19 helped producers realise they weren’t ready for a disaster.
The export plan focuses on collaboration amongst producers and the creation of an excellent Australian seafood model for the export market.
It was handed with little or no fanfare, and now it has obtained royal assent – Australia formally has a legislated emissions discount goal.
Public submissions into Scott Morrison’s multi-ministries open
Virginia Bell has opened the general public submission interval for the Inquiry into the Appointment of the Former Prime Minister to Administer A number of Departments:
The Hon Virginia Bell AC, who’s main the inquiry, invitations any particular person or organisation to make a submission. These intending to take action are inspired to learn the phrases of reference and particulars on tips on how to make a submission obtainable on the inquiry’s web site (https://www.ministriesinquiry.gov.au).
Public submissions will shut at 5pm AEST 30 September 2022.
Ben Roberts-Smith invited to attend Queen’s funeral
Ben Doherty
Ben Roberts-Smith, the previous Australian soldier publicly accused of warfare crimes, is meaning to journey to London to take part in memorial occasions for the late Queen Elizabeth II, recognition of his standing as a winner of the Victoria Cross.
As a matter of protocol, winners of Australia’s pre-eminent navy honour are invited by Buckingham Palace to take part in occasions commemorating the lifetime of the sovereign.
Roberts-Smith, a former corporal within the SAS, is awaiting a judgment in a defamation case he introduced in opposition to three Australian newspapers.
He’s suing for defamation the Age, the Sydney Morning Herald, and the Canberra Occasions over experiences he alleges wrongly painting him as a warfare felony and assassin.
The newspapers are defending their reporting as true, together with allegations Roberts-Smith was complicit in six murders whereas deployed to Afghanistan, was a bully, and a perpetrator of home violence. Roberts-Smith denies any wrongdoing.
The Australian federal police have performed warfare crimes investigations into allegations in opposition to Roberts-Smith, and have submitted briefs of proof to the commonwealth director of public prosecutions.
Roberts-Smith gained his VC for his actions through the 2010 battle of Tizak in southern Afghanistan. He was invested together with his medal by the then governor basic Quentin Bryce in 2011, and was additionally invited to an viewers with the late Queen.
Different Australian winners of the Victoria Cross, Mark Donaldson, Daniel Keighran, and Keith Payne are additionally anticipated to attend occasions within the UK.
All holders of the Victoria Cross for Australia invited to Queen’s funeral
Ben Roberts-Smith invitation to the Queen’s funeral was on the path of the Palace, with all holders of the Victoria Cross for Australia invited, “in accordance with the desires of Her Majesty”, in accordance with a authorities assertion on the matter:
The Victoria Cross and George Cross Affiliation (VCGCA) has invited all holders of the Victoria Cross, the Victoria Cross for Australia, the Victoria Cross for New Zealand, the Victoria Cross for Canada and the George Cross to attend Her Majesty’s funeral in addition to her Mendacity in State. That is in accordance with the desires of Her Majesty.
The VC for Australia recipients invited are:
Keith Payne VC
Mark Donaldson VC
Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG
Daniel Keighran VC
CPL Mark Donaldson, VC, has been given the honour of representing the Australian VC and GC recipients within the Orders of Chivalry Procession and see Her Majesty Mendacity in State.
The VC recipients won’t be travelling with the prime minister, they are going to be travelling through industrial means.
Mint paused manufacturing for someday
The Royal Australian Mint paused minting cash for a day as a “mark of respect” for the Queen.
That tidbit is contained on this media launch designed to let everybody know that cash with the Queen’s face stay authorized tender.
Right now, assistant minister for competitors, charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh and Royal Australian Mint CEO, Leigh Gordon, outlined preparations for Australian cash after the loss of life of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Royal Australian Mint, the producer of Australia’s circulating cash, in addition to collector and funding cash briefly paused the minting of cash on 9 September 2022 as a mark of respect on the information of the Queen’s passing.
The presses re-commenced minting on the morning of the 12 September 2022.
Current Australian authorized tender cash bearing the Queen’s effigy will stay in circulation and stay authorized tender.
As soon as cash with the brand new effigy are decided and launched, they may flow into alongside cash bearing the effigy of the late Queen.
Particulars concerning preparations for the adoption of an effigy of King Charles III will likely be made public in the end, and will take as much as 12 months to permit for the manufacturing of mandatory instruments, and the testing and trialling of the design.
Noel Pearson to ship ABC Boyer Lectures
The ABC has introduced lawyer, educational, land rights activist and Indigenous neighborhood chief Noel Pearson will ship the 2022 Boyer Lecture collection.
From the broadcaster’s assertion:
His collection of 4 lectures, broadcast on ABC platforms, will present key insights into the concepts, observations and experiences of considered one of our most recognised public intellectuals.
ABC chair, Ita Buttrose, mentioned it was a major second for an Indigenous chief of Noel Pearson’s standing to simply accept the invitation given the nationwide dialogue concerning the referendum for an Indigenous voice to parliament.
“Noel has been a rare power in representing our First Nations individuals and main the dialog on points which can be related to all Australians,” she mentioned.
“He’ll ship a thought-provoking lecture collection that can problem and encourage concepts about who all of us are and the way we see ourselves as a nation now and into the long run.
This collection will mark a return to the Boyer Lectures for Noel who in 1993 delivered one of many 5 lectures together with Getano Lui, Dr Ian Anderson, Jeannie Bell, Mandawuy Yunupingu and Dot West. That lecture, titled Voices of the Land or In the direction of Respecting Equality and Distinction was delivered within the wake of the Mabo determination in 1992, then prime minister Paul Keating’s Redfern speech the identical 12 months and through the subsequent nationwide debate concerning the Native Title Act.
“I’ll mirror on the place we now have come since WEH Stanner’s 1968 Boyer Lectures After the Dreaming, which I take into account to be the best of the Boyers and nonetheless as important in the present day as they have been when first delivered,” Pearson mentioned.
“My lectures will take a look at the place we’re in the present day and what lies in prospect, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and for Australians at giant.”
The 4 lectures will likely be broadcast on ABC RN and one on ABC TV later this 12 months.
Greens need Labor governments to halt seismic blasting in WA
The Greens need the Labor federal and state governments to right away shut down plans for seismic blasting on the WA coast, with considerations it might have an effect on the Mermaid Reef and Rowley Shoals marine parks.
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson mentioned blasting simply didn’t make sense given the danger:
The federal and West Australian authorities’s each recognise the Mermaid Reef and Rowley Shoals Marine Parks as a number of the world’s most pristine marine areas.
Humpback whales, hammerhead sharks, turtles, 200 species of coral, 600 species of fish and the livelihoods of small enterprise house owners might all be impacted by reckless seismic blasting on this space.
It’d be completely hypocritical of Labor to not shut down plans that would negatively affect these treasured marine ecosystems and the lives and livelihoods that rely upon them.
Anthony Albanese promised he’d cease exploration related to the Pep-11 mission on Australia’s east coast as a result of he thought it was a ‘unhealthy concept’ and it’d be utterly contradictory for him to not do the identical right here in WA.
Blasting marine life with seismic shockwaves is the truth of what occurs when our authorities opens up our ocean for extra oil and fuel – and let’s not overlook that Labor has simply opened up 46,758 sq. kilometres of recent ocean acreage for fossil gasoline corporations to use.