Amy Remeikis
Last submissions start in Faruqi v Hanson case
We’re into ultimate submissions to the federal court docket now, the place Mehreen Faruqi’s counsel is summing up Faruqi’s racial discrimination case in opposition to One Nation senator Pauline Hanson.
Faruqi’s counsel, Saul Holt KC tells Justice Stewart:
[In] what may typically be referred to as the helicopter view – the phrases printed right here [piss off back to Pakistan], we’ve heard them a variety of instances now, are a model of a well-known anti migrant racist phrase ‘return to the place you got here from’. They usually have been plainly focused [against] a brown, Muslim, migrant, senator.
Holt goes via the professional proof which went to the influence on well being and wellbeing of racism and whether or not that occurred right here. There’s a authorized definitional argument over ‘fairly doubtless’ or ‘possible’. Holt is saying that whereas Hanson’s counsel tried to outline ‘fairly doubtless’ as proof on the steadiness of chances and extra doubtless than not. Holt is arguing that the ‘cheap likeness’ definition Justice Stewart must be contemplating is “proof that there’s a probability of an occasion occurring which is actual, not fanciful or distant”. It looks as if semantics, however legally it issues.
It’s going to finally be for the justice to determine what he believes ‘fairly doubtless’ to imply.
Key occasions
Amanda Meade
Prices listening to on Bruce Lehrmann v Community Ten and Lisa Wilkinson defamation case
Federal court docket justice Michael Lee is listening to functions on prices within the Bruce Lehrmann v Community Ten and Lisa Wilkinson defamation case.
The 24-day civil trial might find yourself costing the events as a lot as $10m in authorized prices.
Lehrmann misplaced the case when Lee discovered he raped Brittany Higgins on the steadiness of chances.
Ten is arguing that Lehrmann ought to pay Ten’s whole authorized invoice after he made the “intentionally depraved” choice to sue.
Justice Lee mentioned he’ll take into account whether or not to grant Ten a prices order, and in that case how a lot; whether or not Wilkinson ought to receive a prices order and in that case what ought to or not it’s; and whether or not a witness, Taylor Auerbach, ought to receive a prices order.
In Lehrmann’s written submission he requested Lee to contemplate whether or not he must be compensated for the failure of Ten’s certified privilege defence.
Peter Hannam
Chalmers indicators ‘future made in Australia’ spending gained’t stoke inflation
Treasurer Jim Chalmers this afternoon gave a speech on the Lowy Institute outlining how he needs to vary overseas funding approvals to provide better emphasis to nationwide safety and financial safety. (We wrote this piece about his plans.)
Chalmers mentioned that in a “sea of uncertainty” he wished Australia to be an “island of reliability”, amid the looming challenges of decarbonisation and geostrategic rivalry. (The US and China are seen because the pure heavyweights on this bout however there are different gamers too.)
The funding pointers may also play a task within the “future made in Australia” coverage that’s rising as the way in which the Albanese authorities needs to organise and justify a few of its spending efforts. There’s the $15bn Nationwide Reconstruction Fund, $2bn for the photo voltaic sunshot scheme and an identical quantity for inexperienced hydrogen, amongst others.
Anyway, we acquired to ask about whether or not these largely off-budget objects would make the job of the Reserve Financial institution more durable since they have been including to demand within the financial system at a time when the common funds objects (together with a second consecutive surplus for the 2023-24 years) have been usually impartial of their influence.
Chalmers mentioned we shouldn’t anticipate the approaching funds to be of “the identical magnitude” of final 12 months’s funds surplus (of $22.1bn). (We assume he didn’t imply we must always actually reduce an “0” off final 12 months’s quantity. A surplus of about $10bn appears doubtless.)
The treasurer, although, was eager to impress that these FMIA funds wouldn’t all be spent “on the entrance finish” however have been a part of a “long term plan”. Certainly, they may take years to be spent.
He summarised the funds as having three elements:
Price range duty, operating a good ship; secondly, cost-of-living assist the place we are able to try this in essentially the most accountable approach; and thirdly, laying the foundations for progress.
The funds will change into public (no less than the elements that haven’t been dropped to the media upfront) at 7.30pm AEST in 13 days’ time.
Elias Visontay
Air visitors management company CEO contract not renewed by authorities
The pinnacle of Airservices Australia will probably be changed after the federal government selected to not renew his contract, because the nation’s air visitors management company continues to wrestle with staffing shortages and different sagas.
Transport minister Catherine King has introduced that Jason Harfield’s contract as CEO of the commonwealth company wouldn’t be renewed, bringing to an finish his eight-year tenure within the function and 35 years in air visitors management. His time period finishes on 8 June.
The Airservices board has commenced a worldwide seek for his alternative and an appearing CEO, Peter Curran, the present chief technique and buyer expertise officer, will probably be appointed within the interim.
In an inner e-mail seen by the Guardian, John Weber, chairman of Airservices Australia, mentioned the board was grateful for Harfield’s time as CEO, “particularly, his navigating of the organisation via the pandemic that allowed Airservices to proceed to function just about as regular with continuity of companies to trade whereas offering certainty for workers in unsure instances”.
In February, Harfield was grilled earlier than a Senate estimates listening to because the day of his look two air visitors controllers who didn’t present up for work at Sydney airport brought about cascading flight delays and cancellations throughout the nation.
He additionally confronted questions on a rise in inner organisational bullying, and cussed employees shortages ensuing from a retirement program that noticed 140 controllers depart the workforce in 2021, and his pay bundle – about $950,000 a 12 months – in gentle of the problems.
You’ll be able to learn extra about air visitors management and the work of Airservices Australia right here:
Westpac extends pause on regional department closures till 2027
Westpac has introduced it would lengthen its moratorium on regional financial institution closures till “no less than” 2027.
This comes greater than a 12 months after it first introduced plans to pause the closure of regional branches, amid a Senate inquiry into regional financial institution closures.
In an announcement immediately Westpac chief govt shopper, Jason Yetton, mentioned:
We’ve heard the suggestions from clients concerning the influence of department closures within the bush and perceive they face many challenges comparable to restricted web connectivity and elevated journey instances to their nearest department.
He mentioned Westpac was investing greater than $150m in its department community over the following two years, to assist greater than 2.2 million clients and 1,000 workers in 182 regional areas.
You’ll be able to learn extra concerning the influence of department closures on regional and distant communities beneath:
Extra particulars on proposal for Aukus nations to take away export controls
As we reported earlier, the three Aukus nations – Australia, the UK and US – have proposed the removing of sure export controls between one another.
Reuters has extra particulars, reporting that the sharing of intently guarded know-how – which is ruled by strict US Worldwide Trafficking in Arms Laws – has been a hurdle for cooperation.
Underneath the proposed rule change, the US division’s Directorate of Protection Commerce Controls would not be required to license or approve defence articles, lowering some administrative burdens for corporations searching for to make defence merchandise in Australia or the UK.
Kevin Rudd, the ambassador to america, mentioned in an announcement:
These exemptions will probably be a sport changer for Aukus international locations and revolutionises how america, the UK and Australia cooperate on defence commerce.
For the primary time, Aukus defence industries will be capable to work in a seamless, licence-free atmosphere, making it simpler for us all to develop the scientific, technological and industrial capabilities we’d like for our safety and to advertise world stability.
The state division mentioned the brand new rule would nonetheless generate an “excluded” objects listing, making approval essential for articles with nationwide safety import. That features objects ruled by a global arms management settlement, and inputs for nuclear units and a few landmines, the state division official mentioned.
An inventory of authorised customers would even be generated to assist delicate applied sciences remained contained.
Natasha Could
Pharmaceutical corporations entrance vaping inquiry
The vaping Senate inquiry is now listening to from the pharmaceutical corporations which will probably be supplying the vapes to be bought in pharmacies with prescription from a physician, beneath the reforms.
The three totally different corporations represented are largely supportive of the transfer to make sure that solely therapeutic – not leisure – vapes can be found for Australians to buy, however they’re elevating the problems across the particulars.
David Burns, the director of gross sales and advertising and marketing at Bay Pharma, says he has considerations across the medical entry framework – that means the necessity for sufferers to get their prescription from a GP. He says a pharmacy-only mannequin would cut back the burden of entry.
Wilhelm David, the CEO and co-founder of Fields Pharmaceutical, says the restriction on easy fruit flavours – comparable to mango, blueberry and mint – is regarding. He believes the pharmaceutical corporations must also be allowed to appropriately market the merchandise.
Richard Lee, the CEO of Liber Prescription drugs says their merchandise are examined – that means they know precisely what chemical compounds are of their product – not like the black market merchandise presently being utilized by Australians.
Lee says he believes the brand new regulation does sufficient to permit pharmaceutical corporations to compete with black market merchandise he estimates will fall into line with unlawful cigarettes, which now occupy lower than 20% of the market.
Josh Butler
Advocacy group ‘dissatisfied’ nationwide cupboard final result didn’t embrace motion on alcohol
The Basis for Alcohol Analysis and Schooling (FARE) says it’s dissatisfied that nationwide cupboard seemingly didn’t talk about the function of alcohol in fuelling violence in opposition to ladies.
Its CEO, Caterina Giorgi, was crucial of what she referred to as a “deafening silence”.
I’m extremely dissatisfied that motion on alcohol was not included as an final result of the Nationwide Cupboard assembly immediately. We are able to not ignore the function that alcohol performs in growing the danger and severity of violence in opposition to ladies and kids.
FARE additionally shared an announcement from actor and survivor-advocate Kym Valentine:
I would like our prime minister, premiers and chief ministers to know that their lack of motion on higher regulating alcohol is contributing to ladies and kids’s experiences of violence.
Our political leaders want to face as much as the alcohol corporations which can be profiting off our ache, and implement regulation and insurance policies that they know will work to cease this hurt.
FARE pointed to analysis displaying between 23% and 65% of police reported household violence incidents contain alcohol. It referred to as for “commonsense measures on on-line sale and supply.”
South Korea indicators curiosity in becoming a member of Aukus tasks
Daniel Hurst
South Korea’s defence minister has expressed an curiosity in his nation collaborating in Aukus tasks with Australia, the US and the UK.
The prevailing Aukus members have lengthy been open to the concept of collaboration with different shut companions on superior defence know-how, though Japan is seen as the primary cab off the rank. This is called Aukus “pillar 2” and is separate from the venture for Australia to amass nuclear-powered submarines.
South Korean and Australian ministers mentioned Aukus throughout a gathering in Melbourne immediately. South Korea’s defence minister, Shin Gained-Sik, mentioned:
We assist Aukus pillar 2 actions and we do welcome that members are contemplating Korea as an Aukus pillar 2 associate.
The Australian defence minister, Richard Marles, confirmed Aukus pillar 2 was mentioned, though he didn’t spell out a timeframe for South Korea’s potential participation:
Aukus, as you recognize, is a know-how sharing settlement, it’s not a safety alliance, and Korea is clearly a rustic with deeply spectacular know-how, now we have shared values and strategic alignment … so as Aukus pillar 2 develops I believe there will probably be alternatives sooner or later and we’re seeing that play out in relation to Japan as nicely, and we talked about that.
Daniel Hurst
Wong and Marles host South Korean counterparts for two+2 assembly
Additional to our final put up concerning the India spy claims, Penny Wong was talking throughout a press convention after what is called a 2+2 assembly with South Korea.
Wong and the defence minister, Richard Marles, hosted their South Korean counterparts, Cho Tae-yul and Shin Gained-sik, for a gathering a few vary of overseas affairs and safety points.
Marles mentioned South Korea and Australia had a “shut strategic alignment and a shared imaginative and prescient about our place within the area and the world”. He mentioned individuals ought to anticipate to see growing participation in navy workout routines.
Marles mentioned Australia supported efforts to enhance the connection between South Korea and Japan (traditionally strained attributable to Japan’s colonial rule of the peninsula till 1945, though each at the moment are US allies). Marles described this warming relationship as a “very, very constructive step ahead within the strategic panorama of the area and represents an enormous alternative for Australia to have interaction with each Korea and Japan”.
Each South Korean ministers praised Australian veterans for his or her service within the Korean conflict.
Penny Wong refuses to substantiate reviews about India’s intelligence actions
Daniel Hurst
The overseas affairs minister, Penny Wong, says Australia will guard its democracy in opposition to “any suggestion of overseas interference” however has refused to substantiate reviews about India’s intelligence actions.
In a press convention in Melbourne, Wong was requested about reviews that two Indian spies have been kicked out of Australia in 2020. Requested whether or not diaspora neighborhood members in Australia must be involved about surveillance, and what message she had for the Indian authorities, Wong mentioned:
You’ll be unsurprised to listen to me reply that we don’t touch upon intelligence issues, however at a stage of precept … I believe you’ll have heard me and different ministers on many events assert the significance of our democratic ideas … [and] that we preserve the resilience of our democracy, together with within the face of any suggestion of overseas interference, and now we have legal guidelines to take care of that …
We deeply worth the multicultural material of the Australian neighborhood, it’s a power and we welcome individuals’s continued engagement in our democracy.
Pressed on Australia’s more and more shut relationship with India – together with via the Quad – and whether or not it will be empowered to boost considerations straight with New Delhi, Wong mentioned:
We don’t touch upon intelligence issues however, as a matter of normal ideas, Australia stays constant to our pursuits and our values in all of our engagements.
Girl charged after alleged ramming of police car
A lady has been charged following a ram-raid and ramming of a police car in Carrum Downs, Victoria this morning.
It’s alleged two individuals in a stolen black Toyota Landcruiser pressured entry to a enterprise on the nook of Aster Avenue and Latham’s Highway about 6.15am. Police arrived on the scene when the individuals have been allegedly loading objects into the trailer.
Police mentioned officers parked in entrance of the Landcruiser, with the pair then allegedly ramming the police car a number of instances. The individuals then allegedly reversed the Landcruiser via the shop, inflicting important harm inside.
They then allegedly drove via the shop home windows, earlier than getting the car caught in a backyard mattress.
The passenger, a 36-year-old Seaford girl, was arrested by officers whereas the male driver fled the scene on a motorbike, police mentioned. A police officer sustained minor accidents in the course of the incident.
The Landcruiser was allegedly stolen from a Security Seaside tackle on 28 April.
The Seaford girl has been charged with theft, theft of motorcar, theft of trailer, housebreaking, possessing a drug of dependence and possessing a managed weapon. She has been bailed to seem earlier than the Frankston magistrates court docket on 24 Could.