Your morning Briefing: ScoMo acts to stop churn of Lib PMs

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

Hello readers. ScoMo moves to lock in Liberal leadership and protect PMs from spills, and top criminals could go free as royal commission probes cops’ use of a barrister as supergrass.

Rod Clement business cartoon for 04-12-2018Version: Business Cartoon (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.

Stop the churn

Scott Morrison has moved to end the leadership crisis within the government by implementing sweeping changes to party rules aimed at preventing a sitting ­Liberal prime minister from being challenged. The overhaul is a deliberate ­effort by Mr Morrison to assert his authority over the party, preserve his leadership from potential rivals including Julie Bishop, and assure voters the government can offer stability and continuity if re-­elected next May.

Mr Turnbull finds himself isolated from the Liberal Party’s most influential powerbrokers and senior MPs after his attempt to embarrass the Prime Minister failed. Margin Call suggests the ex-PM is taking a distinctly prime ministerial approach to life after politics. Keep up with all the latest from parliament in our live blog, PoliticsNow.

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Pasquale Barbaro story size picture

Lawyer X scandal

Some of Australia’s most notorious criminals and gangland figures could go free after a royal commission investigates Victoria Police’s “reprehensible’’ and potentially corrupt use of a ­female barrister as a supergrass, amid fears that dozens of cases have been compromised. Premier Daniel ­Andrews yesterday announced a $7.5 million inquiry after the High Court excoriated police use of so-called Lawyer X as a prosecution witness.

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Amanda Vanstone appearing on Q&A.

Vanstone’s Banks spray

Former Liberal senator Amanda Vanstone has lashed out at now Independent MP Julia Banks over the party bullying claims that saw her join the crossbench. Appearing on ABC’s Q&A on Monday night, Ms Vanstone was joined by Assistant Home Affairs Minister Linda Reynolds, Labor senator Lisa Singh, musician and activist Billy Bragg and people’s panellist and businessman Martin Matthews, for a program that discussed talk of an early federal election, schoolchildren protesting over climate change, and the political role of music.

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ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 03: Ishant Sharma of India poses during the India Test squad portrait session on December 03, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Strongest ever

They conceded 500 to a group who mostly can’t make the Sheffield Shield. The leader of their attack has the worst bowling record of any quick to tour Australia. Their spinner is similarly infamous, but don’t let the details fool you ... this Indian bowling line-up is the strongest to ever tour this country, writes Peter Lalor.

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Johannes Leak’s view

Johannes Leak Letters page cartoon for 04-12-2018Version: Letters Cartoon (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, No canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.