PoliticsNow: Porter to resume AG duty at end of March; PM says March 4 Justice rallies are ‘good and right’
Amid continued calls for independent inquiry into historical rape claim, Christian Porter files defamation action and will return to role at end of month.
- Porter to resume Attorney-General duties
- ‘Good and right’ to protest gender violence: PM
- Brittany Higgins addresses rally
- Porter sues ABC, Milligan
- March organiser refuses PM meeting
Welcome to PoliticsNow, our live coverage of the latest headlines from Canberra as well as updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
Christian Porter will resume his duties as Attorney-General on March 31, nearly one month after taking leave for his mental health after outing himself as the cabinet minister accused of an historical rape — and vehemently denying the claims.
Despite not attending the rally in Canberra, Scott Morrison has spoken about the grievances surrounding the March 4 Justice protests.
Strong crowds, mostly female, have joined to protest at Parliament House in Canberra as well as state capitals. Brittany Higgins was one of a series of speakers.
Earlier, the organiser of the March 4 Justice rally refused to meet Prime Minister Scott Morrison, less than 24 hours after accepting the offer and describing it as “a great moment in history for Australia and women”.
Simon Benson, Geoff Chambers11pm: $12bn in tax cuts to pump-prime economy
More than $12bn in accelerated personal income tax cuts are expected to flow through to households over the next seven months as the government moves from wage subsidies to stimulus to pump-prime the economy when JobKeeper payments cease.
Australian tax office data shows that almost $9bn has already gone into the pockets of workers since July last year, when phase two of the legislated tax cuts was brought forward as part of the COVID-19 recovery plan.
The Morrison government is banking on the ongoing accumulated increases of more than $2bn a month in extra household earnings for 8.8 million people being pumped back into the economy at a rate almost equivalent to the $2.5bn in monthly JobKeeper support.
Simon Benson 10.15pm:No gender bias in Coalition slump: Newspoll
The Coalition has lost ground with both men and women voters since allegations of sexual assault in parliament were firstraised in February, with no clear evidence at this stage that a loss of popular support for the government is gender biased.
Exclusive Newspoll analysis commissioned by The Australian shows an aggregated slump in the Coalition’s primary vote acrossthe past two Newspolls has been shared among both groups.
A corresponding boost in support for Labor, which on Monday had to confront accusations of sexual and inappropriate behaviourwithin its ranks, had been shared by both genders but was slightly more pronounced among male voters.
The Coalition this week recorded its worst Newspoll result since the bushfire crisis in January 2020, with Labor leading 52-48on a two-party-preferred basis.
Dennis Shanahan 9.35pm: How our Mathias won over EU states
Mathias Cormann’s successful, come-from-behind campaign to become the head of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development had a crucial strategic aim to turn a perceived weakness — Australia’s international position on climate change — into a strength.
The meticulous Cormann had a tactical, technical tool at hand that helped him to become not only the first Australian OECD secretary-general but the first from the Asia-Pacific.
Cormann traversed the world for the past six months with a colour-coded spreadsheet in his hand listing all the commitments of OECD members to greenhouse gas emissions targets and what they had actually achieved.
Sophie Elsworth 8.50pm: Facebook cash goes to ABC regions
The ABC will direct money it receives from any deal with Facebook to regional journalism, the public broadcaster’s managing director David Anderson says.
The broadcaster is currently negotiating with Facebook over payment for its content, as is News Corp Australia and Nine Entertainment, after the social media giant restored news to its platform late last month.
But Mr Anderson, in a speech at La Trobe University on Monday, said the temporary Facebook news ban was a “clear reminder that Australia needs to be vigilant in the protection of the free and unfettered access to the public interest journalism that underpins our democracy”.
Negotiations between the government and Facebook did not “guarantee that a large digital platform won’t turn its back on Australian users again at some point in the future, prioritising profits to shareholders overseas above the needs of any Australian”, Mr Anderson said.
“We would prefer to do a deal, they are constructive discussions at the moment, very optimistic that we will do one. But we will have to see how we go,” he said.
Jospeph Lam 8.05pm:Seven new cases in New Zealand
New Zealand has recorded seven new cases of COVID-19, all of which were already in hotel quarantine.
There are no new cases of #COVID19 to report in the community today.
— Ministry of Health - ManatÅ« Hauora (@minhealthnz) March 15, 2021
There are seven new cases in managed isolation.
Read the full update at https://t.co/x5c4a9tjGs
Of the seven new cases, two arrived from India via the United Arab Emirates, one arrived from Pakistan via the United Arab Emirates and one more arrived from the Netherlands via Singapore. All that is known of the remaining three is that they transited through Qatar and Singapore.
Six of the new cases are in quarantine in Auckland and one is in Hamilton.
READ MORE: Local shipbuilders snubbed in $850m ferry deal
Jospeph Lam7.50pm:Covid traces found in Queensland
COVID-19 fragments have been found in two Queensland sewage catchments, one of which covers 96 Brisbane suburbs, including the CBD.
Queensland Health reported the test results of Monday after detecting coronavirus at the Cairns North catchment in far north Queensland, which includes 17 suburbs, and Luggage Point in Brisbane, covering 96 inner city suburbs including the CBD, the Brisbane airport, New Farm, West End, Port of Brisbane, Bulimba, Fortitude Valley, South Brisbane and Balmoral.
MEDIA RELEASE: Positive wastewater detection in Brisbane and Cairns North
— Queensland Health (@qldhealthnews) March 15, 2021
Fragments of SARS-CoV-2 have been detected at the Cairns North and Luggage Point (Brisbane inner city) wastewater treatment plants.https://t.co/R0zLCD0ELs
Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said while the test results were concerning, viral shedding was common post infection.
“We are concerned by the new variants that are emerging overseas that are more contagious than previous variants we have seen in Queensland,” Dr Young said.
“It’s also possible that this detection relates to previous COVID-19 cases that can shed viral fragments for a couple of months after they are no longer infectious.”
READ MORE: PNG aid boost to stifle Queensland outbreaks
Ewin Hannan 7.35pm:One Nation demands casual rights for IR support
One Nation is demanding the Coalition agree to greater rights for casuals as new ACTU polling shows Senate crossbenchers risk a backlash from supporters if they vote for the Coalition’s industrial relations bill.
With the government needing three crossbench votes to pass the bill, One Nation is seeking amendments that include giving casuals the right to seek permanency after six months of employment rather than 12 months as proposed by the Coalition.
One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts said the minor party’s chief concern was to ensure workers could exercise conversion rights before 12 months. “Employees need to feel empowered to explore work arrangements that better suit their changing needs and when it suits their lifestyle, for example, when looking for a loan,” he said.
“Six months is long enough for an employer to get to know their employees, so it is reasonable that an employer will be in a good position to have that discussion.”
Ben Packham, Charlie Peel7pm: PNG aid boost to stifle Qld outbreaks
Australia is poised to ramp up its COVID-19 support for Papua New Guinea amid fears soaring infection rates there could spark fresh outbreaks in Queensland.
Cabinet’s national security committee was due to discuss the crisis at a meeting on Monday night, after Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed that travellers from PNG accounted for half of the COVID-19 cases in the state’s hotel quarantine system.
State and federal authorities are also on high alert for cases in the Torres Strait, where Australia’s most northern islands are just a short boat ride from the PNG mainland.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne will reveal on Tuesday that more Australian medical assistance teams will deploy to PNG, while a commitment is expected in coming days to fast-track the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to the country’s health workers.
Queensland Health data reveals 28 of the 57 positive cases recorded in the state since March 1 were travellers from PNG.
Most were expats and fly-in, fly-out workers who fled the country’s worsening outbreak.
Gabriele Steinhauser6.15pm: South Africa cases fall from 22,000 a day to 1000
Earlier this year, doctors and epidemiologists in South Africa’s economic capital were bracing for the worst. A new coronavirus strain was surging across the country, thousands of holidaymakers were due to return from COVID-19 hot spots, and one in three coronavirus tests was coming back positive.
Then something unexpected happened: COVID-19 cases started dropping. Since mid-January, confirmed COVID-19 infections in South Africa have fallen from a record of nearly 22,000 a day to about 1000, without a large-scale vaccination campaign or stringent lockdown.
Fewer than 5 per cent of COVID-19 tests are finding traces of the virus, a sign that health agencies are missing fewer cases. The government has lifted most of its remaining virus restrictions for the country of 60 million people.
The cause of this steep decline in cases remains somewhat of a mystery. As in other countries that have at some point experienced surprising drops in COVID-19 cases — such as India, Pakistan and some parts of Brazil — epidemiologists and virologists are piecing together different explanations for why the outbreak in South Africa isn’t following patterns set elsewhere.
Sophie Elsworth5.45pm: ABC head ‘surprised’ by Porter defamation action
ABC’s managing director David Anderson said he was “surprised” by the defamation action taken against the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan.
“To say I was surprised, look I was surprised to see that today, but again it is something that we will work through as per the process that is in place,” he said while delivering his first speech of the year at La Trobe University in Melbourne.
“The job we have is an enduring one and one where our quality of what we do editorially is at the highest level and is to remain at that highest level.
“When it comes to these recent events, it is everyone’s right to question what the ABC does, in fact that happens a lot to me.”
READ MORE:Porter sues ABC, Milligan
Joseph Lam4.55pm: Aquatic centre joins NSW exposure list
An aquatic centre in southern Sydney has been added to the list of potential exposure sites for NSW’s latest COVID-19 case who tested positive on Saturday.
NSW is urging anyone who visited the Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre on Wednesday to monitor for symptoms and to get tested immediately and isolate until a negative result should appear.
Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre, King Georges Road and Forrest Road, Hurstville on Wednesday March 10: 4.15pm to 5.30pm
NSW have also revised the following exposure time for a Coles nearby the aquatic centre.
Coles, Hurstville Station, 225 Forest Road on Wednesday, March 10 from 9.15pm to 9.46pm.
Coles, Hurstville Station, 225 Forest Road on Saturday, March 13 from 7.30am to 7.40am.
Public Health Alert - new and updated case locations in NSW. Please see media release for further details. pic.twitter.com/W9NUrOYVMc
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) March 15, 2021
Greg Brown4.50pm: ‘Stand aside’: Push for Porter inquiry ramps up
Opposition legal affairs spokesman Mark Dreyfus has demanded Christian Porter stand aside as attorney-general, as he ramps up calls for an independent inquiry into the issue.
Mr Dreyfus said defamation proceedings launched by Mr Porter would not be an appropriate forum to deem whether the Attorney-General was fit to be a cabinet minister.
“Mr Porter is entitled to launch defamation proceedings — that is entirely a matter for him,” Mr Dreyfus said.
“But it remains the case that Mr Morrison needs to assure himself, and the Australian people, that Mr Porter is a fit and proper person to hold the position of Attorney-General.
“That is not an issue that can or should be resolved in defamation proceedings and Mr Porter must stand aside pending an inquiry into his fitness to remain in his position.”
Opposition industrial relations spokesman Tony Burke says Labor frontbenchers should step aside if they are investigated for serious sexual assault allegations.
Mr Burke said, if any of the serious allegations shared in a Facebook group are levelled against a frontbencher, the Labor MP should stand aside from their role while it is investigated.
“If it is of the gravity of some of what I’ve seen that the answer is yes,” Mr Burke said.
READ MORE:Come forward, Albanese tells ALP women
Rosie Lewis4.35pm: BREAKING: Porter to resume AG duties
Christian Porter will resume his duties as Attorney-General on March 31, nearly one month after taking leave for his mental health.
There have been questions over his political future after he identified himself as the cabinet minister accused of an historical rape dating back to 1988 but government sources confirmed his return to work on Monday.
Labor, the Greens, crossbench MPs and some lawyers have called for an independent inquiry into the historical rape allegation but Scott Morrison has rejected those demands, saying there is one rule of law for every Australian.
READ MORE:Porter sues ABC, Milligan for defamation
Joseph Lam3.30pm: No Covid cases recorded in ACT today
The Australian Capital Territory has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 among the 368 tests undertaken in the past 24 hours to 8pm.
ACT COVID-19 update (15 March 2021)
— ACT Health (@ACTHealth) March 15, 2021
â–ªï¸ Cases today: 0
â–ªï¸ Active cases: 5
â–ªï¸ Total cases: 123
â–ªï¸ Recovered: 115
â–ªï¸ Lives lost: 3
â–ªï¸ Test results (past 24 hours): 368
â–ªï¸ Negative tests: 179,432
â–ªï¸ Total COVID-19 vaccinations: 3,360
â„¹ï¸ Information source https://t.co/YGW9pOHG3epic.twitter.com/ABQz9UpEW9
The state has recorded a total of 123 cases since the pandemic began, five of which remain active and 115 of which have recovered.
ACT has vaccinated a total of 3360 people.
READ MORE: 6 million next in queue for vaccines
Angelica Snowden3.24pm: No breaches detected at Melbourne march
Victoria Police say they are “pleased” with the crowd who attended the March4Justice protest in Melbourne, despite arresting four people in relation to a separate incident.
“Victoria Police was pleased with the crowd behaviour of those involved in the March 4 Justice rally at Treasury Gardens,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.
“All participants were compliant with the Chief Health Officer restrictions and no breaches or incidents were detected.”
Police said they arrested “at least four” people who glued themselves to the road at the intersection of Flinders and Swanston streets.
They were arrested shortly after 1pm.
The four people were arrested for obstructing traffic, but they were not part of the rally Police said.
Police have so far refused to say how many protesters turned up at the rally.
Adeshola Ore 3.16pm:Porter case ‘ensures allegations heard in court’
Scott Morrison says the Attorney-General Christian Porter’s defamation case against the ABC in response to its reporting of a historic rape allegation against him will ensure the matter will be considered “where it should be, in a court of law.”
During question time, Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek pressed Mr Morrison on why the government would not launch an independent inquiry into the 1988 rape allegation against Mr Porter.
Mr Porter has commenced defamation action in the Federal Court against the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan in a bid to clear his name.
“The Attorney-General, Mr Speaker, has announced that in a private capacity he is pursuing defamation action,” Mr Morrison told parliament.
“That matter will be considered where it should, in a court of law.”
READ MORE: In her words — Kate’s dossier of tragedy
EWIN HANNAN3.07pm: One Nation seeks permanent deal for casuals
Casual workers would be able to seek permanency after six months of employment rather than have to wait 12 months under an amendment sought by One Nation to the Coalition’s industrial relations bill.
With the government needing three Senate crossbench votes to pass the bill, One Nation has presented proposed amendments to the acting Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash ahead of the bill being brought on for debate in the Senate on Tuesday.
Under the existing bill, employers would be required to offer part-time or full-time roles to casuals after 12 months if they have worked a regular pattern of hours on an ongoing basis for the last six months.
One Nation said its amendment called for a reduction from the government’s “proposed 12 months to six months at which time the casual employee can ask for conversion from casual to permanent”.
The government is focused on trying to win the backing of One Nation, which has two votes, and Centre Alliance’s Stirling Griff, in a bid to get the bill passed this week.
READ MORE: Bosses put IR heat on crossbench
Adeshola Ore3.03pm: Morrison defends his staff’s handling of rape allegations
Scott Morrison has defended his office’s handling of the rape allegation against a former Liberal Party staffer after she took a swipe at the Prime Minister at the March 4 Justice in Canberra.
Earlier today, Brittany Higgins addressed the crowd at the demonstration in Canberra outside Parliament House.
“I watched as the Prime Minister of Australia publicly apologised to me through the media, while privately his team actively discredited and undermined my loved ones,” she told the crowd.
Pressed by Labor about Ms Higgins’ comment, Mr Morrsion said “I have no knowledge of that”.
“I would never instruct such a thing,” he told parliament.
Last month, media reports claimed members of the Prime Minister’s Office had provided negative information to journalists about the partner of Ms Higgins.
READ MORE: Silence is not ok, do better, Higgins tells crowd
Adeshola Ore 2.45pm: Albanese: PM needs to listen to women
Anthony Albanese has lashed Scott Morrison for his government’s handling of allegations of sexual assault, as he accused the Prime Minister of being a “wall of concrete”.
Mr Albanese and deputy Labor leader Richard Marles attended the Women’s March 4 Justice demonstration outside Parliament House this afternoon. Mr Morrison and Women’s Minister Marise Payne did not participate. The event’s organisers rejected an offer to have a private meeting with Mr Morrison and Senator Payne, saying it would be “disrespectful” to have the conversation behind closed doors.
Mr Albanese said Mr Morrison needed to “listen to what women are saying.”
“They said enough is enough,” he told parliament.
“What I saw outside was passionate women who are angry, they are angry about what has happened to them, they are angry about what has happened to their mothers, their grandmothers, their sisters, their daughters and their granddaughters.”
“They’re crying out that this is a moment that requires leadership and it requires leadership from this Prime Minister.”
READ MORE: ‘Peta for Premier’ gathers momentum
Adeshola Ore2.34pm: ‘Good and right’ to protest gender violence: PM
Scott Morrison says it is “good and right ‘’ that thousands of Australians have gathered in cities across the country to protest against gendered violence, despite not attending the march in Canberra.
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against gendered violence and sexual harassment in workplaces, political institutions and the criminal justice system. Anthony Albanese and deputy Labor leader Richard Marles attended the demonstration on the lawn outside parliament. Scott Morrison and Women’s Minister Marise Payne did not participate. Several Liberal parliamentarians including Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and Liberal Senator Jane Hume attended the demonstration outside Parliament House.
“Today, here and in many cities across our country, women and men are gathering together in rallies both large and small to call for change and to act against violence directed towards women,” the Prime Minister said.
“It is good and right, Mr Speaker, that so many are able to gather here in this way, whether in our capital or elsewhere.”
The event’s organiser refused to meet Mr Morrison, saying it would be “disrespectful” for the meeting to occur behind closed doors.
Mr Morrison said he respected the wishes of the event’s organisers to not meet with him and Senator Payne.
“This is a vibrant liberal democracy.... not far from here, such marches, even now, are being met with bullets, but not here in this country,” he said.
Labor MPs erupted into interjections in response, as they called out “shame.”
Nicola Berkovic2.23pm: Federal Court judge allocated to hear Porter action
Federal Court judge Jayne Jagot has been allocated to preside over Attorney-General Christian Porter’s defamation action against the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan.
Justice Jagot was appointed by the Rudd government to the Federal Court in 2008 and is one of the court’s most highly-regarded judges.
She was a contender to be appointed to the High Court, but was passed over for promotion by the Morrison government late last year in favour of High Court judges Simon Steward and Jacqueline Gleeson.
Justice Jagot recently presided over a high-profile defamation case against ABC journalist Steve Cannane and publisher HarperCollins brought by two doctors involved in “deep sleep” therapy at Sydney’s notorious Chelmsford psychiatric hospital.
Justice Jagot ruled in favour of Cannane and Harper Collins, branding the doctors’ claim an attempt to “rewrite history”.
She dismissed the case and ordered the men to pay the legal costs of Cannane and HarperCollins, finding the publisher and journalist had established a defence of truth and qualified privilege relating to matters of public interest.
Barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC and lawyer Rebekah Giles, who are part of Mr Porter’s powerhouse legal team, acted for the doctors in that case.
READ MORE:Haunted by the ‘zombie room’
Richard Ferguson2.20pm: Payne says she agrees with Higgins over failings
Minister for Women Marise Payne says she agrees with many parts of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’ address to the March 4 Justice outside Parliament House, saying parliamentarians must own the failings which led to Ms Higgin’s alleged rape.
In a speech to thousands in Canberra, Ms Higgins said allegations of sexual assault must be handled as a “human problem” instead of a political problem and accused the Morrison government trying to undermine her and her loved ones since she made her alleged rape public.
Senator Payne — who refused to attend the March 4 Justice rally — said on Monday that all politicians must work to address issues in Parliament’s workplace culture.
“I have had the opportunity to scan Ms Higgins’ remarks, and there is a range of those statements that she has made today with which I agree,” she told the senate.
“We must own as parliamentarians, all of us, we must own the failings that have caused these these events to occur.
“And we must own the solutions.”
John Ferguson2.12pm:Victorian Liberal leader faces potential challenge
Victorian Liberal leader Michael O’Brien is facing a potential challenge.
Supporters of frontbench colleague Brad Battin were today pushing for a leadership spill as early as Tuesday.
Mr Battin, who entered parliament in 2010 and is spokesman for roads and crime prevention, reportedly spoke to some MPs this morning declaring his desire to run.
Sources said it was not certain a spill would be called for Tuesday but this was Ms Battin’s intention.
“I didn’t see it coming,” one MP said.
Mr Battin a left field candidate, if he goes ahead with the strategy, with most speculation on former Liberal leader Matthew Guy.
READ the full story here
Remy Varga2.08pm:Andrews out of action for another six weeks
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed he will be out of action for at least another six weeks, saying he narrowly avoided permanent damage to his spinal cord.
Mr Andrews confirmed James Merlino would remain in the role of acting Premier as he revealed new details of his injury, saying it had been “a long, painful and difficult week”.
“As you know, at around 6.30am last Tuesday, I fell heavily on wooden steps at the front of a rental beach house that our family had been staying at for the long weekend,” he said.
“I landed flat on my back and hit the steps hard directly below the shoulder blades fracturing at least five ribs and sustaining an acute compression fracture of the T7 vertebra.”
Mr Andrews on Monday morning was released from The Alfred hospital after spending several days in intensive care.
Mr Andrews said he was required to wear a brace except when sleeping and he would complete a program of physiotherapy.
“My doctors also want me to get rest and undertake a comprehensive program of physiotherapy,” he said.
“That’s why I will take a leave of absence from my duties for at least six weeks.”
Mr Andrews said he would remain in contact with Mr Merlino and his colleagues as he asked for his privacy to be respected.
“It’s important that I take this rest and recovery seriously as one trauma specialist said to Cath and I last week, ‘you very narrowly avoided a life-changing injury, you should buy a Tattslotto ticket, you are very lucky to be here in one piece’,” he said.
“I’m not sure about the Tattslotto ticket but I’m certain that with rest, continued high quality care and the support of family, friends, colleagues and the Victorian community, I’ll be back doing the job I love as soon as possible.”
READ MORE: I landed flat on my back
Sarah Elks 2.03pm: Palaszczuk awards top bureaucrat with plum job
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s top bureaucrat will be given a plum overseas posting by her government when he quits as her director-general in May.
Ms Palaszczuk on Monday announced veteran public servant Dave Stewart would finish as head of her Department of Premier and Cabinet in May, to take up the role of Agent-General for the United Kingdom and Trade and Investment Commissioner Europe.
Current Under Treasurer Rachel Hunter will be promoted to become Ms Palaszczuk’s director-general, and her replacement is yet to be announced.
Ms Palaszczuk thanked current UK Agent-General Linda Apelt for her service; Mr Stewart will replace her later this year.
“Dave Stewart is one of the best – he is widely respected as one of the most experienced public officials in this country having worked for governments of all persuasions,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“I’m delighted that Mr Stewart will take up the role of Agent-General for the United Kingdom and Trade and Investment Commissioner Europe, fostering his significant State, Commonwealth and international relationships,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Nicola Berkovic1.55pm: ABC vows to fight Porter defamation suit
The ABC has vowed to defend defamation action launched by Attorney-General Christian Porter in the Federal Court against the public broadcaster and journalist Louise Milligan.
Mr Porter is suing the ABC for publishing “false allegations against him” in an online story that claimed he was the subject of historical rape allegations and, in a statement of claim, has also cited a Four Corners report in November last year.
A spokeswoman for the ABC said: “The ABC will be defending the action.”
A powerhouse legal team of Bret Walker SC, Sue Chrysanthou SC and Rebekah Giles commenced proceedings in the Federal Court today against the ABC, accusing the public broadcaster of “trial by media” and Milligan of acting with “malice” and engaging in a campaign against Porter in order to harm his reputation and have him removed as Attorney-General.
In court documents, Mr Porter has claimed the February 26 article implied that he brutally raped a 16-year-old in 1988, that he anally raped a 16-year-old, that the rape contributed to her taking her own life, and that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that he brutally and anally raped her.
The article did not name Mr Porter, but his lawyers argue he was “easily identifiable to many Australians as the subject of the allegations.”
READ MORE: Porter sues ABC, Milligan
Jess Malcolm 1.47pm: Women deserve better, NSW Parliament told
Protesters have arrived at NSW Parliament on Macquarie St in Sydney where they are calling on it’s members inside for change.
ACTU trade unionist Natalie Lang is speaking for the second round of speeches being held for March 4 Justice protests.
“We can do this by actively challenging gender norms,” she said.
“It’s ok for boys to be sensitive, it’s fantastic for girls to be leaders.”
“We need cultural change in our workplace, political system and criminal justice systems that have failed us.
“We will not be silenced until ministers are held accountable.”
As protesters continue to filter down from Town Hall, the crowd swells, Dhanya Mani shares allegations NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian did not take her sexual assault seriously when she reported it to her.
“I refuse to be silent, every single person inside is accountable.
“It’s about everyone inside that stood down and did nothing.”
“Women deserve better, and I will fight until we change this.”
Angelica Snowden 1.18pm: Julia Banks addresses Melbourne rally
At the March 4 Justice protest in Melbourne, Former Liberal MP Julia Banks told the crowd she did not want to speak at the event initially.
But she changed her mind after seeing the “ground swell” of support for the protest grow on social media.
“I couldn’t feel more honoured to speak up here with all of you,” Ms Banks said.
“Federal parliament is dominated by men in power in both the major parties,” she said.
“But there is something more powerful... it’s this. It’s the people.”
Ms Banks spoke about Edith Cowan the first women to be elected to Parliament, “100 years ago almost to the day”.
“In the history of our federal parliament 1200 people have been elected... 132 have been women,” she said.
Women are “severely” under-represented in parliament, Ms Banks said.
Jess Malcolm1.16pm: Sydney crowd commences peaceful march
The speeches have wrapped up and thousands are beginning to march peacefully north down Sydney’s George Street.
Crowd has mobilised and beginning to march for #March4Justice in Sydney @australianpic.twitter.com/WKSRTOsSo0
— Jess Malcolm (@jessmalcolm1) March 15, 2021
The crowd is chanting as it makes it way past the iconic Queen Victoria Building holding colourful signs and clapping in protest.
Rosie Lewis1.01pm: Brittany Higgins: We’re here because we have to be
Former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins has arrived and is speaking at Canberra’s Women’s March 4 Justice.
Last month Ms Higgins alleged she was raped in 2019 in the Defence Minister Linda Reynold’s office.
Ms Higgins says she wanted to speak to the March4Justice crowd in Canberra not because she wanted to be there but because “we have to be here”.
She says the past few weeks have been “extremely difficult” on a personal level as she watched the fallout from going public from her laptop in a spare bedroom in her dad’s Gold Coast apartment.
“I decided to resign ( as a Liberal staffer) and share my story because I felt it was the only thing that I could do to say that I didn’t co-sign this behaviour,” she says to applause.
“That I don’t believe what happened was right. That I don’t believe a brochure is adequate support. That I don’t believe people should be isolated, intimidated and ignored after traumatic incidents inside the workplace. I came forward with my story to hopefully protect other women.
By staying silent, I felt like it would have made me complicit and if something of this nature had ever happened again, my ongoing silence would have inadvertently said to those people in charge that you can treat people in this way and it’s okay. I want to be clear - it’s not. So I have spoken out with what little I have to say this isn’t okay and they need to do better. We all need to do better.”
READ the full story here
Angelica Snowden 12.59pm: 'False claims of sex assault are rare’
Nine Network’s Future Women chief Jamila Rizvi is addressing a crowd of more than 5000 at the Women’s March 4 Justice in Melbourne.
She said she was a staffer at Parliament House for five years when she was 22 years old.
“Brittany Higgins came forward to protect others,” Ms Rizvi said.
“If there is one thing I want you to remember ... false claims of sexual assault and rape are exceedingly rare,” she said
She said Parliament was a “playground” for some male politicians where they could spend time away from their family for 20 weeks of every year.
“I was one of the lucky ones,” she said.
“I walked out of that building without being raped.”
She encouraged protesters to consider allegations mage against the Attorney-General are true, as the woman who made the allegations committed suicide and could not defend the veracity of her statements.
Only one in 10 women report sexual assault to police, Ms Rizvi said.
Jess Malcolm12.48pm: ‘Law is blind, but it is not deaf’
The speeches are underway at Sydney’s March 4 Justice protest where thousands have gathered for a peaceful but passionate protest at Town Hall.
Michael Bradley, the lawyer who acted for the alleged victim in the Christian Porter case, kicked it off sharing his legal perspective.
He was first introduced by ACTU trade unionist Natalie Lang, who called for chanting from the crowd in solidarity.
“The law is blind, but it is not deaf. If we speak loudly, it can change,” he said.
Journalist and author Jess Hill and Indigenous women Marie Barbaric followed, inciting anger and clapping of support from the crowd.
“We are raising our voices, fighting to be heard. We are holding the perpetrators accountable,” Ms Barbaric said.
ACTU trade unionist Natalie Lang is the master of ceremonies.
The crowd is about to march, in COVID-19 safe groups of 500.
This is being assisted by covid-safe marshalls who are dotted around the square, handing out face masks and hand sanitiser.
NSW Police are present on the outskirts of the crowd, assisting in managing crowds.
Adeshola Ore 12.39pm: Call for probe into Porter allegations at Canberra rally
Canberra’s Women’s March 4 Justice has begun with thousands of people gathering on the lawn outside Parliament House.
More than 75,000 Australians are expected to today gather in cities across Australia to protest against gendered violence and sexual harassment in workplaces, political institutions and the criminal justice system.
Sexual assault advocate Saxon Mullins told the crowd the Morrison government needed to lead the way to implement change.
“We deserve a government that cares about us,” she told the crowd.
“They could open an investigation into the Attorney-General. They could crack open the report into sexual harassment in the workplace and put into place any of the untouched recommendations.”
Angelica Snowden 12.24pm: 5000 attend Melbourne protest
Organisers at the Melbourne March4Justice protest say there are more than 5000 people at the Treasury Gardens.
Louise Milligan — the ABC journalist who broke the story about rape allegations against Christian Porter — is at the protest, although it is unclear if she will make a speech.
Former liberal MP Julia Banks is also expected to take to the makeshift stage — a utility in the middle of the crowd which circles it.
Caroline Overington 12.20pm: Numbers of women strong at Sydney Town Hall
Shortly before noon the crowd beside the Sydney Town Hall was asked to shuffle forward to make more room.
This was the first sign that numbers at the March4Justice would be solid.
The sign game was also strong:
My body
My voice
I’m with her.
Feminist!
Call The Inquiry.
If you are not outraged you are not paying attention.
And “enough.”
Over and again: “enough.”
The crowd was overwhelmingly female but diverse in terms of race and age.
Indigenous women were well represented.
Plenty of girls attended with their parents, but mums came with their young sons, too.
Police came on horses and news helicopters buzzed overhead.
Organizers addressed the crowd: “women and allies!”
With masks on — safety first! — the crowd chanted “the women united will never be defeated.”
And an oldie but a goodie: the personal is political.
Auntie Shirley made the welcome to country.
She paid homage to “men who are here to support us.” But there weren’t many.
Attention was paid to elderly women raped in aged care: the disabled raped in institutions and children raped by carers and strangers.
“We shouldn’t have to match for justice” said one sign. But here they were, in numbers they hope are too big too ignore.
READ MORE: Enough. Enough. Enough.
Ellie Dudley12.14pm: Sydney protest march gets underway
The March 4 Justice rally in Sydney is underway, with thousands of men and women gathering to protest in the wake of rape allegations in Canberra’s Parliament House.
Protesters have gathered in Sydney’s Town Hall for today’s #March4Justice events around the country. Speeches about to start @australianpic.twitter.com/0LSDst5Xwd
— Jess Malcolm (@jessmalcolm1) March 15, 2021
Lawyer Michael Bradley, who represented the now-deceased woman who alleged she was raped by Attorney-General Christian Porter in 1988, will speak at the rally in Sydney.
Indigenous businesswoman and community leader Marie Barbaric and writer Jess Hill, author of See What You Made Me Do will also address the crowd.
Organisers have urged attendees at the rallies across Australia to wear black, wear a mask and bring posters and hand sanitiser.
Angelica Snowden11.56am: Group plans breakaway march to Liberal HQ
A contingent of protesters — marching in the Women’s March4Justice rally in Melbourne — are planning to breakaway and gather at the Victorian Liberal party headquarters today.
National Union of Students Executive, Anneke Demanuele will lead the walk to Liberal HQ on Collins Street in the CBD.
She said a group of marchers would protest outside the office — and that of the Melbourne Club who exclusively accept male members — to “demand that Scott Morrison end his policy of shielding” Linda Reynolds over her management of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations and Attorney-General Christian Porter.
“We’re concerned about reports that cabinet ministers have been invited to the sister event in Canberra. In our minds, this is a protest against Scott Morrison’s cabinet and government, not an opportunity for them to pretend to be our allies,” Ms Demanuele said.
Hundreds of protesters have started streaming into the Treasury Gardens outside Victoria’s Parliament House.
Speeches will start about 12pm, where former liberal MP Julia Banks is expected to speak along with Nine Network’s Future Women chief Jamila Rizvi.
Victoria Police said they could not confirm the maximum number of protesters allowed to attend, nor could the Department of Health.
More than 12,000 indicated their intention or interest to attend the rally in Melbourne.
Ellie Dudley 11.41pm:Closed borders would be an overreaction: Berejiklian
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it would be an “overreaction” for states to close their borders to New South Wales at this stage.
The Victorian health department revealed on Sunday night areas of NSW could be redesignated as red or orange zones as further information emerges about a 47-year-old guard who tested positive on Saturday.
A red zone designation means that people would be banned from entering Victoria if from that particular region, while an orange zone requires people travelling from that area to apply for a permit, get a COVID-19 test with 72 hours of arrival and self-quarantine until a negative result is received.
However, Ms Berjiklian urged state leaders “not to take those drastic measures.”
“Please assess the risk against the facts and at the moment there is one case in the guard,” she said.
“We’ve managed to isolate those who are high risk (of having been infected).”
“Let’s give our citizens the chance of having a normal existence.”
READ MORE: Vaccine rollout ramps up to 6m
Ellie Dudley11.25am:Source of security guard’s infection still unclear
Chief health officer Kerry Chant says NSW health authorities are yet to confirm how the security guard contracted the coronavirus.
While the authorities have identified a returned traveller on Level 11 of the Sofitel who has been genomically linked to the security guard, Dr Chant said there was “no clear or obvious breach of how it happened.”
“This gentleman (the security guard) was exemplary in his adherence to the procedures for mask wearing and other protections and precautions,” she said.
“We haven’t been able to find an exact source or an explanation for how this person became infected.”
Dr Chant said all workers and guests on Level 11 at the Sofitel will be “re-swabbed” today to confirm if there was an “intermediary” who transmitted the virus to the security guard.
The health authorities hope further CCTV investigations will reveal a clear link.
The quarantine period will be extended for guests on Level 11 of the hotel until March 23, which is 14 days after March 9 - the date the infectious international traveller was removed from the floor.
“Because of that element of uncertainty, we are taking extra actions,” Dr Chant said.
Dr Chant said the security guard who tested positive also worked at an apartment building in Hurstville, but stressed he did not have casual or close contact with residents.
The residents have been notified, and the common areas of the building have been cleaned.
“We are chasing up the gentleman’s coworkers and any contractors that might have come onto the building site, the building complex to undertake building works.” Dr Chant said.
“Public health will be identifying those directly through the building management.
“In terms of the community exposure site, this gentleman was without symptoms, he was going about its business as expected.”
READ MORE: Bitcoin price ‘set to go higher’
Ellie Dudley 11.07am: No new local cases in NSW after hotel worker infected
New South Wales has recorded no new cases of community transmitted COVID-19, despite a hotel quarantine worker testing positive for the virus over the weekend.
NSW recorded one locally acquired case of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. This was the person announced yesterday who works as a security guard at Sydney quarantine hotels. pic.twitter.com/iKPDVV5KfH
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) March 15, 2021
A security guard, who works across two of Sydney’s quarantine hotels, became the latest worker confirmed to have been infected with the virus on Saturday night, breaking a 55-day streak without a locally acquired case in NSW.
While the case was announced late yesterday, it will count towards today’s numbers.
Gladys Berejiklian said the hotel quarantine breach was “not surprising.”
“While it is always concerning to have a case outside of overseas travellers it is not surprising,” the NSW Premier said.
“We always know it is a high risk and validates our position of making sure we vaccinate all of our hotel quarantine workers.”
M Berejiklian announced NSW has met the target of 35,000 COVID-19 vaccinations in the first three weeks of the rollout.
“We have vaccinated just over 35,000 people with the Pfizer vaccine and nearly 2500 with the AstraZeneca vaccine,” she told reporters today.
“Just over 37,500 people having been vaccinated in New South Wales and the first three weeks...is a very pleasing result.”
NSW health authorities have set a target of 80,000 jabs to take place in the state over the coming three weeks.
Of that total, 35,000 will be the second dose of Pfizer, and 45,000 people will be receiving the vaccine for the first time, Ms Berejiklian said.
READ MORE: Government warns against Gupta sell-off
PATRICK COMMINS 10.37am: Investing in data, digital ‘critical’
RBA governor Philip Lowe spoke this morning in Melbourne about how “investing in data and our digital capability are critical to our future prosperity”.
He made the point that the pandemic has accelerated the trend to online, with many businesses “making more progress on the digital front in a matter of months than they would have made in years”.
Lowe bemoaned a lack of business investment during a recent speech, and he raised the issue again, saying spending was “yet to click into gear” despite the faster than anticipated recovery.
He said investment in IT, digitisation and data science was “critical to lifting our nation’s productive capacity”.
“In many ways data is the new oil of the 21st century. Investing in data and our digital capability are critical to our future prosperity,” he said.
Lowe noted the Morrison government’s “strong focus” on the digital economy by “making additional investments in skills and training, streamlining regulatory processes and strengthening the nation’s cyber security”.
No mention of monetary policy this morning, and no Q&A. For the record, Lowe has said ad nauseum he doesn’t expect to lift rates until 2024 at the earliest.
FOLLOW live ASX updates at Trading Day
Sharri Markson 10.33am: Porter sues ABC, Milligan for defamation
Attorney-General Christian Porter has commenced defamation action in the Federal Court against the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan in a bid to clear his name and save his political career.
Mr Porter is suing the ABC for publishing “false allegations against him” in an online story that claimed he was the subject of historical rape allegations and also for a report in November last year that alleged he was a misogynist and sexist.
A powerhouse legal team of Bret Walker SC, Sue Chrysanthou SC and Rebekah Giles commenced proceedings in the Federal Court today against the ABC, accusing the public broadcaster of “trial by media” and Milligan of acting with “malice” and engaging in a campaign against Porter in order to harm his reputation and have him removed as Attorney-General.
READ the full story here
Charlie Peel 10.24am: PNG Covid crisis a ‘major concern’ for Queensland
The escalating outbreak of COVID-19 in Papua New Guinea has created “major concerns” for the Queensland government, which found 50 per cent of residents it tested were infected with the virus.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would try to speak to Scott Morrison about the issue, particularly about the influx of Australians returning to Queensland from PNG.
“We have major concerns now about what is happening in Papua New Guinea,” Ms Palaszczuk said on Monday.
“We have been assisting with some tests in PNG and out of the 500 tests that our health authorities have done for PNG, 250 were positive.
“PNG is on the doorstep of Queensland and I hope that I will be able to speak to the Prime Minister or Prime Minister’s office in the next 24 hours just to talk about our concerns there, look at the flights coming in.”
In response, the Queensland government has fast-tracked the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the Torres Strait for all adult residents.
Vaccinations began last week on Thursday Island and will begin on Monday on Saibai, just 4km from the PNG mainland.
Free movement between Torres Strait and PNG villages under the Torres Strait Treaty has been banned since the start of the pandemic, but there are still fears the virus could spread into Queensland.
Cairns and Brisbane hospitals have this month received an influx of patients who have tested positive to the virus in hotel quarantine after arriving in Australia from PNG.
They are mostly fly-in fly-out workers and expats fleeing PNG as the virus spreads and threatens to overwhelm hospitals in Port Moresby.
Queensland Health officials are concerned about the impact the high number of cases will have on its hospital resources in Cairns and Brisbane.
Six FIFO workers were released from Cairns hospital on Friday, two weeks after they tested positive to the virus in hotel quarantine.
They had flown into Cairns on a chartered flight from the Ok Tedi Mine in PNG.
Ok Tedi Mining has overhauled its repatriation policy since the outbreak.
Workers are now required to quarantine for a week in Papua New Guinea and pass a COVID-19 test before they are able to return on commercial flights into Brisbane.
READ MORE: PNG ‘a catastrophe waiting to happen’
Ellie Dudley10.15am: No new cases as Queensland deals with outbreak
Queensland has recorded no new cases of community transmitted COVID-19, amidst concerns after a doctor contracted the virus on the weekend.
The positive result from the weekend came after a returning traveller who tested positive to the UK strain of COVID-19 while quarantining at the Hotel Grand Chancellor last week was transferred to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Monday 15 March – coronavirus cases in Queensland:
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) March 14, 2021
• 0 new locally acquired
• 6 overseas acquired
• 38 active cases
• 1,386 total cases
• 2,042,714 tests conducted
Sadly, six Queenslanders with COVID-19 have died. 1,328 patients have recovered.#covid19pic.twitter.com/CvBoBure5m
A female doctor said to have used “appropriate PPE’’ was exposed to the virus while treating the patient on Wednesday before spending Thursday out in the south Brisbane community.
However, today no new cases of local transmission were recorded, along with six in overseas arrivals.
Annastacia Palaszczuk said none of today’s cases were from the Hotel Grand Chancellor, and all contacts of the positive case from the weekend are being tested.
“I can also advise that 272 contacts of the doctor have been identified and are being tested,” she said today.
“We also identified 160 people in the hospital, and we have had 86 people tested who have come back negative today, so we will be getting further information and updates through to tomorrow.”
Deputy Chief Health Officer Sonya Bennett has not ruled out locking the state down, but will continue to follow the health advice.
However, Dr Bennett said the health authorities are still monitoring the situation.
“We are doing the public health response now,” Dr Bennett told reporters today.
“Depending on what we see that will inform what our advice will be and I can’t preempt that.
“Certainly with the healthcare worker in the hospital we haven’t seen any positives yet and that is a good sign.”
READ MORE:Scramble to contain hotel Covid leaks
Caroline Overington 9.56am: Why you should march for women today
Are you a father? Do you have a daughter? You should march today.
There are some people who think it’s wrong to say so. Why should your status as a progenitor matter, when it comes to the March 4 Justice?
It matters if it helps men understand that life — and the workplace — is different for women and girls.
Do you want your daughter to get a job one day? Do you want her to be able to turn up, ready to work hard, and not find herself being touched up by a colleague in the office kitchen? Do you want her to be able to walk into any space, without feeling like prey?
Because many women do feel this way, all the time.
READ Caroline Overington’s full commentary here
Ellie Dudley9.50am: Injured Andrews discharged from hospital
Daniel Andrews has been discharged from hospital having been admitted last week after slipping on the stairs and fracturing his back.
The Victorian Premier was recovering at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, but will leave today to undergo a “significant period of rehabilitation”.
“Mr Andrews has responded well without surgery so far, and the work to improve his strength and mobility must now begin,” The Alfred’s director of trauma services Mark Fitzgerald said.
“As the rehabilitation journey gets underway, we will watch closely for any signs of worsening spinal stability or alignment, as well as the development of other complications.”
Acting Premier James Merlino will remain in Mr Andrews’ position until he returns.
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Adeshola Ore 9.43am: Come forward, Albanese tells ALP women
Anthony Albanese has urged women in the Labor party to come forward about allegations of harassment and assault, after claims were shared in a private Facebook group.
Allegations of sexual assault and harassment directed at female politicians and staff inside Parliament House have been shared in a Facebook group for former and current female Labor staffers. The posts include allegations of married senior staff members propositioning female staffers, messaging them up to 50 times in a single evening and victim-blaming.
“I would encourage women to come forward. I encourage women to speak out. I encourage men to listen to those concerns and to respond,” the Opposition Leader said.
“It is hard to look into anonymous suggestions. That is the truth.”
Mr Albanese said he was not aware of any claims that had been made against caucus members.
Mr Albanese also said he believed women who had come forward with allegations of harassment and assault.
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Adeshola Ore9.29am: Sex assault allegations ‘an indictment on Labor’
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles says allegations of sexual assault and harassment made by current and former ALP staff are “appalling.”
Allegations of sexual assault and harassment directed at female politicians and staff inside Parliament House have been shared in a Facebook group for former and current female Labor staffers. The posts include
allegations of married senior staff members propositioning female staffers, messaging them up to 50 times in a single evening and victim-blaming.
Mr Marles told the ABC the allegations were an “indictment” on the Labor Party.
“On behalf of the party, I am deeply sorry for the experiences that these women have had,” he said.
“What matters now is going forward that we do everything we can to ensure that this behaviour stops.”
“There are internal processes within the party, but there are now processes which have been established with the Parliament, and I think it’s really important that all of us are doing everything we can to support people and women to come forward, and to work through those processes.”
READ MORE:How royals hope to survive ‘Sussex circus’
Adeshola Ore9.18am:Why march organisers rejected meeting PM
The organiser of the March 4 Justice rally says it would be “disrespectful” for the group behind the march to meet with the Prime Minister behind closed doors.
More than 75,000 women and men are expected to rally across Australia today in protests that follow former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations at Parliament House and historical accusations against Attorney-General Christian Porter. Janine Hendry said the group would not meet privately with Scott Morrison today, after the Prime Minister agreed to personally meet them.
“I think it is disrespectful to the women whose voices need to be heard to have a
meeting with our Prime Minister behind closed doors,” Ms Hendry told the ABC.
“We have come to Canberra. I think the Prime Minister, if he really cared about
women, really cared about our voices, that he could open the door, walk across the forecourt and come and listen to us.”
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Ellie Dudley9.01am:Ireland suspends AstraZeneca rollout over clot concerns
Ireland has become the latest country to suspend the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine, over concerns about post-jab blood clots despite the firm insisting there was no risk
A spokesman for Ireland’s health ministry told AFP that the rollout had been “temporarily deferred” after the country’s advisory panel recommended a suspension because of concerns raised by Norwegian officials.
Denmark, Iceland and Norway have also ‘’paused’’ using the AstraZeneca vaccine from last Thursday following reports in Norway of adverse pulmonary embolisms and blood clotting.
“It has not been concluded that there is any link” between the AstraZeneca vaccine and the blood clot cases in Norway, and action has been taken “pending receipt of further information”, Ireland’s deputy chief medical officer Ronan Glynn said in a statement.
Norwegian officials said on Saturday the country had reports of people “bleeding under the skin” and “severe cases of blood clots or brain haemorrhages in younger people” who had received the shot.
READ MORE: Oriel — Post-Covid reality for conservative governments
Adeshola Ore 8.55am:Tehan says he’ll meet marchers from his electorate
Trade Minister Dan Tehan says he will meet with anyone from his electorate who is attending today’s March 4 Justice rally in Canberra, as several government parliamentarians signal they will not participate.
More than 75,000 women and men are expected to rally across Australia today in protests that follow former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations at Parliament House and historical accusations against Attorney-General Christian Porter.
Mr Tehan told the ABC he would not attend today’s rally but would meet with any of his constituents who were participating in the march.
“If anyone from the electorate is up here for the march and wants to meet with me, I will do so,” he said.
Liberal frontbencher Jane Hume and backbencher Bridget Archer have indicated they will attend today’s march in Canberra.
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Adeshola Ore 8.37am:Liberal MP urges PM to meet march organisers
Liberal frontbencher Jane Hume has urged the March 4 Justice organisers to meet with Scott Morrison after they rejected a closed-door meeting with the Prime Minister.
More than 75,000 women and men are expected to rally across Australia today in protests that follow former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations at Parliament House and historical accusations against Attorney-General Christian Porter. The rally’s organiser Janine Hendry said the group would not meet privately with Scott Morrison today, after the Prime Minister agreed to personally meet them.
“It’s a lost opportunity.... Parliament House is a place where community leaders, state leaders and global leaders meet with the Prime Minister,” Senator Hume told Sky News.
“The organisers have been invited in. I think they should grasp this opportunity.”
Senator Hume said there were “logistical” and “practical” reasons why Scott Morrison would not be able to attend the rally outside parliament today.
Senator Hume has confirmed she will attend the march today.
Tasmanian Liberal MP Bridget Archer said she would also attend today’s rally in Canberra.
READ MORE: Most swipe left on dear Aunty
Adeshola Ore 8.29am: Newspoll ‘not government’s key focus’
Trade Minister Dan Tehan has downplayed the latest Newspoll after the Coalition slipped to one of its worst electoral points since it was elected in 2019 amid the fallout from the government’s handling of sexual assault allegations.
An exclusive Newspoll conducted for The Australian showed the head-to-head contest turned sharply in the past three weeks with popular support for the Liberal and Nationals parties falling three points to 39 per cent. But Scott Morrison has escaped any significant electoral backlash with support for his leadership remaining high.
“Newspolls as you know come and go each month. The most important thing that any government can be doing is focusing on the important issues that are facing this nation,” Mr Tehan told the ABC.
“We’re now rolling out the most complex vaccination program that this nation has ever seen. That is an absolute key focus. Making sure that we deal with the economic recovery is a key focus, and then dealing with these very important issues, as they arise —vlike making sure that all of our workplaces are as safe as they possibly can be.”
READ MORE: Liberals left with a rump of a party
Adeshola Ore 8.18am:March organiser confronts Deputy PM
The March 4 Justice organiser has confronted Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack in the parliamentary press gallery after he said several Coalition MPs signalled they would not be attending today’s rally outside parliament.
More than 75,000 women and men are expected to rally across Australia today in protests that follow former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations at Parliament House and historical accusations against Attorney-General Christian Porter. The march organiser, Janine Hendry has announced the group will not meet behind closed doors with Scott Morrison today, after the Prime Minister agreed to personally meet the group.
“I would really have liked you to have come out to listen to the voices of the women of Australia because we have a lot to say,” Ms Hendry told Mr McCormack.
Mr McCormack replied that he would “see what I can do.”
Labor Leader Anthony Albanese and Deputy Leader Richard Marles will attend the rally today.
READ MORE: Labor victory to come with a nightmare twist
Adeshola Ore 8.10am: Some Coalition MPs expected to attend march
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham says he expects some Coalition MPs will attend today’s March 4 Justice rally in Canberra, despite several government parliamentarians signalling they will not participate.
More than 75,000 women and men are expected to rally across Australia today in protests that follow former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations at Parliament House and historical accusations against Attorney-General Christian Porter.
“We are facilitating the operations of parliament so people can leave the building if need be,” Senator Birmingham told ABC Radio.
Senator Birmingham said he encouraged the organisers of the protest, who said they would not meet privately with Scott Morrison, to reconsider their position. He said a “depth of understanding” could be achieved through a private meeting with the Prime Minister.
Senator Birmingham will not attend the march today.
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Ellie Dudley8.05am: Victoria records zero virus cases
Victoria has recorded no new community cases of COVID-19, nor any in overseas arrivals.
Yesterday there were no new cases reported. 9,696 test results were received. Thanks to everyone who got tested - #EveryTestHelps.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) March 14, 2021
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl0ZEco#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/LzVOrkgW0h
This announcement comes amidst fears that the virus may still be in the community, after fragments of the virus were found in 14 Melbourne suburbs yesterday.
The samples were taken from areas in the city’s west and east, and anyone who visited the following suburbs between March 9 and 11 is urged to be on high alert.
Balwyn North
Blackburn North
Box Hill North
Bulleen
Doncaster
Doncaster East
Donvale
Mitcham
Mont Albert North
Nunawading
Laverton
Laverton North
Werribee.
As well, COVID-19 was detected in Sunbury’s northeast in a sample taken between March 7 and 11 in Sunbury’s northeast.
READ MORE: Andrews return date remains unknown
Ellie Dudley 8.00am: ‘Normal way’ for PM to meet protesters
Trade Minister Dan Tehan has said it is “normal” for Scott Morrison to have a conversation with protesters rather than participate in their rallies, in defence of the Prime Minister’s decision not to join March 4 Justice today.
Mr Morrison had issued an open invitation to a “delegation” of protesters earlier on Sunday to meet with him but said he would not attend the rally in Canberra.
March 4 Justice organiser Janine Hendry this morning rejected the offer from Mr Morrison, saying she would “not be meeting behind closed doors”.
Mr Tehan said he saw Ms Hendry in the parliament house press gallery this morning speaking with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.
“The government is very keen to sit down and talk with Janine and hopefully she’ll be able to arrange or find a time to be able to do that with the Prime Minister,” he told ABC News Breakfast.
“It’s the normal way that [Mr Morrison] does these things...He offers an invitation to meet with people who are marching, and so, if they want to come and meet with him, they can.”
He added: “the Prime Minister can’t be running his diary in a way that he has to be going in and out of the building the whole time.”
Mr Tehan said he was willing to meet with anyone from his electorate - the Division of Wannon - who is in Canberra for the march.
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Jllie Dudley7.50am:Rape allegations behind poor Newspoll: Joyce
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has attributed parliament house rape allegations as the reason for the Coalition’s poor ratings in last night’s exclusive Newspoll from The Australian.
The Newspoll revealed that the two major parties shared equal support nationally.
It has also catapulted Labor into an election winning lead of 52-48 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis, a four point turnaround in the contest - the worst result for the coalition since they were elected in 2019
Mr Joyce revelations from former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’ of an alleged rape at Parliament House and historical rape allegations against Attorney-General Christian Porter were to blame for the low ratings.
“It certainly affected us,” he told Sunrise. “You have got to be truthful otherwise people will get angry with you.”
“The Christian Porter, the Brittany Higgins issue, has certainly affected us and it is something we have to address and give confidence to the Australian people.”
He slighted the Labor Party by adding that sexual assault accusations from their staffers last week “put them in the same spot.”
READ MORE: Benson — PM has horror show of his own
Staff writers7.30am:March 4 Justice organiser refuses PM meeting
The organiser of the March 4 Justice rally has refused to meet Prime Minister Scott Morrison, less than 24 hours after accepting the offer and describing it as “a great moment in history for Australia and women”.
The PM and Senator Marise Payne had offered to meet personally with Janine Hendry and a “couple of guests of her choosing” inside Parliament House at 3.30pm today to discuss the March 4 Justice movement — an offer she had initially accepted.
“The Prime Minister’s office reached out to me asking if I would like to meet (Mr Morrison) and we have confirmed a meeting for tomorrow afternoon,” Ms Hendry said on Sunday.
“I think this is a great moment in history for Australia and women and I feel really excited he has reached out his hand to me. I look forward to relaying the voices of the women of Australia to him.”
Yesterday, Ms Hendry appeared to backtrack on the meeting, questioning why Mr Morrison couldn’t instead talk to attendees at the rally.
More than 100,000 women and allies from every walk of life are standing up to speak. How could meeting with just three women be enough? #EnoughIsEnough
— 💧Janine Hendry (@janine_hendry) March 14, 2021
And this morning, Ms Hendry confirmed the meeting was off the table, saying she would “not be meeting behind closed doors”.
We have already come to the front door, now it’s up to the Government to cross the threshold and come to us. We will not be meeting behind closed doors.
— 💧Janine Hendry (@janine_hendry) March 14, 2021
Mr Morrison had issued an open invitation to a “delegation” of protesters earlier on Sunday to meet with him but said he would not attend the rally in Canberra.
“I haven’t had a habit of going out to do any marches when they have come to Canberra ... but I’m very happy to receive a delegation,” he said.
@janine_hendry Janine starts her morning on the ABC. Catch her live in five. #March4Justice#EnoughIsEnoughpic.twitter.com/BQ0hsTcUpS
— @March4JusticeAU (@march4justiceau) March 14, 2021
READ MORE:PM’s offer to meet with march delegates
Ellie Dudley7.10am:‘Misjudgment’ for PM to not attend rally: Fitzgibbon
Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon said he believed it was a “misjudgment” from Scott Morrison to not attend today’s March 4 Justice rally in Canberra.
The Prime Minister had instead agreed to personally meet march organisers, but his invitation was rejected — despite march organiser Janine Hendry yesterday saying she had confirmed a meeting with Mr Morrison and senator Marise Payne at Parliament House at 3.30pm.
“It was just crazy for him not to either attend the rally, or to send a senior coalition woman to address the hundreds of thousands of women, who will be marching to say that they are angry,” Mr Fitzgibbon told Channel 7’s Sunrise.
He also said Mr Morrison was “pouring fire on today’s event” by refusing to proceed with an independent inquiry into Christian Porter.
However, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce defended the Prime Minister and accused Mr Fitzgibbon of “belittling” Mr Morrison’s offer of a meeting with march organisers.
“I think that is important to note they [March 4 Justice organisers] chose not to [attend the meeting],” Mr Joyce said.
“It is absolutely their entitlement, but to say that the Prime Minister has not reached out is not correct.”
READ MORE:March 4 Justic organiser agreed to meet with PM
Ellie Dudley6.45am:Liberal MP Katie Allen won’t attend March 4 Justice
Liberal MP Katie Allen has said she will not be attending the March 4 Justice in Canberra today, as she will be rallying for change from inside parliament house.
More than 75,000 people are expected to march in today’s anti-rape rallies, but numerous Liberal MPs, including Women’s Minister Marise Payne and Deptuty Prime Minister Michael McCormack, have said they will not be participating.
Ms Allen said it was better for her to be protesting “inside the tent”, than “shouting from the outside”.
“I’m inside the tent, getting these changes in front of the prime minister, in front of the minister for women, in order to enact change,” she told Today. “Women are kind of tired of just talking, they want action.”
Ms Allen said she was “disappointed” in organiser Janine Hendry’s announcement this morning that March 4 Justice would refuse to meet with Scott Morrison behind closed doors.
“I’m disappointed they don’t want to get inside the tent and meet with him,” she said. “But I respect their choice and it’s their opinion that they would like to do the protest and not meet with him.”
READ MORE:Beware activist lawyers driving agendas
Ellie Dudley6.20am:March 4 Justice organiser turns down PM meeting
The March 4 Justice organiser has announced the group will not take up an offer to meet with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
More than 75,000 women and men are expected to rally across Australia today in protests that follow former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations at Parliament House and historical accusations against Attorney-General Christian Porter.
We are organising Day of Action on March 15th against gendered violence in workplaces including Parliament #march4justice
— @March4JusticeAU (@march4justiceau) March 3, 2021
With parliament sitting in Canberra today, Mr Morrison said he wouldn’t be attending the rally but would make time to meet with a delegation in his office.
However Ms Hendry refused the offer and went on to describe Mr Morrison’s offer as “disrespectful” in an appearance on ABC News Breakfast.
We have already come to the front door, now it’s up to the Government to cross the threshold and come to us. We will not be meeting behind closed doors.
— 💧Janine Hendry (@janine_hendry) March 14, 2021
“Much of that assault has occurred behind closed doors and I think it is really quite disrespectful to the women whose voices need to be heard to have a meeting with our Prime Minister behind closed doors,” she told ABC News breakfast.
“I am here to represent the voices of tens of thousands of women. I can’t speak for those women.”
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese will attend the march alongside a group of Labor MPs, and accused the government of “snubbing” a grassroots movement.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack have said they will not be attending the rally or meeting with marchers.
Are you ready to #March4Justice across Australia today? You can check event details on https://t.co/BYeZV7oENFhttps://t.co/dc9zVhijRZ
— @March4JusticeAU (@march4justiceau) March 14, 2021
READ MORE:Scott Morrison offers to meet with March 4 Justice protesters
Jess Malcolm5am:Race to contain Covid hotel leaks in Bris, Syd
Hotel quarantine protocols are coming under renewed scrutiny as health authorities scramble to contain fresh COVID-19 outbreaks in facilities in Brisbane and Sydney.
A security guard, who works across two of Sydney’s quarantine hotels, became the latest worker confirmed to have been infected with the virus at the weekend after testing positive on Saturday night, breaking a 55-day streak without a locally acquired case in NSW.
Authorities were at a loss to explain how the 47-year-old contracted the pathogen given he tested negative after receiving the vaccine as part of the government’s rollout for critical health workers at the start of the month.
Concerns were also raised about the fact the guard, who was completely asymptomatic, had been holding down a secondary job as an office worker, sparking fears he may have unknowingly passed on the virus to colleagues and triggered an outbreak.
Read the full story, by Jess Malcolm and Charlie Peel, here.
Simon Benson4.45am:Dose of Newspoll reality for Coalition as Labor leads
The Coalition has slumped to one of its worst electoral points since it was elected in 2019, as the government reels from the ongoing fallout of the Christian Porter and Brittany Higgins sexual assault allegations and concerns over the slow rollout of the vaccine.
But Scott Morrison has escaped any significant electoral backlash with support for his leadership remaining high.
An exclusive Newspoll conducted for The Australian, shows the head-to-head contest has turned sharply in the past three weeks with popular support for the Liberal and Nationals parties falling three points to 39 per cent.
With Labor’s primary vote also lifting two points, to 39 per cent, the poll marks the first time in this electoral cycle that the parties have enjoyed equal support nationally. It has also catapulted Labor into an election winning lead of 52-48 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis, a four point turnaround in the contest.
Read the full story here.
Geoff Chambers4.30am:Morrison plans WA blitz after state election drubbing
Scott Morrison and senior cabinet ministers will launch a blitz of Western Australia and ramp up the Coalition’s presence in the battleground state, after Mark McGowan’s thumping state election victory left the WA Liberal Party with as few as two seats and a major funding blackhole.
The historic election rout — with Labor on track to win 52 out of 59 lower-house seats — came on the back of Mr McGowan’s soaring popularity, led by his hard-line position on state border closures.
Labor’s victory will likely strip the WA Liberal Party of its party status and hand the opposition leader’s job to Nationals leader Mia Davies, sparking concern the result could damage the Coalition’s chances in the state at the next election.
The election wipeout and the WA Liberal Party branch’s precarious financial position have also triggered speculation over whether the federal division would need to take over state operations.
Read the full story, by Geoff Chambers, Paul Garvey and Greg Brown, here.
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