Your afternoon Briefing: ACTU’s ‘Change the rules’ campaign swamped by Libs

Your 2-minute digest of the day’s top stories.

Hello readers. An external review found the ACTU’s message during the election campaign was not well understood beyond union officials and activists, and Mark Latham has accused Premier Gladys Berejiklian of doing a deal with an Independent MP to bring the abortion debate on.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus, who addressed the more than 500 people who turned up for the Hobart May Day March through the streets of Hobart to support the Australian Council of Trade Unions 'Change the Rules' campaign. Picture: PATRICK GEE

‘Change the rules’ campaign swamped by Libs

The ACTU’s Change The Rules campaign was not well understood beyond union officials and activists, became focused on policy prescriptions rather than problems facing voters, and underestimated Scott Morrison’s capacity to turn the election into a referendum on Labor, a confidential review has found.

—

Committee chair Andrew Hastie reacts during a hearing of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, July 31, 2019. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

Foreign Minister aims to soothe China

Marise Payne says differences shouldn’t define an important relationship, amid fallout over Andrew Hastie’s warning of a “China threat”.

—

Skier Buff Farnell enjoys the fresh deep snow at Hotham Alpine Resort as a big storm system sweeps through the Australian alps. Blizzards are expected into the weekend with snow falling to very low levels in the coldest outbreak of Winter 2019. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Snow falls in drought-hit Queensland region

Snow has blanketed a drought-hit Queensland town amid a sweeping cold front that is gripping several states. The “snowstorm of the season” is hitting Victoria with up to 150cm of powder expected by the end of the weekend.

—

One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham has hit out at NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's dealings with Independent MP Alex Greenwich. Picture: Hollie Adams/AAP

Latham accuses NSW Premier of vote ‘deal’

One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham has accused Premier Gladys Berejiklian of doing a deal with Independent Alex Greenwich prior to the election to bring the abortion debate on, fracturing her government, because she was concerned she would fall into minority government at the March state election.

—

Screenshot from the recent Gillette advertisement which has caused controversy.

The cost of Gillette’s wokeness

So much for that Gillette ad, writes The Mocker. Procter & Gamble just shaved down the value of the razor business by $12bn thanks in part to many of its erstwhile loyal male customers.

—

08-08-19 - Senior US Republican congressman Mark Meadows in Sydney, he is the leader of the US House Freedom Caucus. - Picture Ryan Osland/The Australian

Trump ally Mark Meadows’ freedom rallying cry

A high-profile Trump ally is appearing at the CPAC conference that has raised Kristina Keneally’s ire.