Your noon Briefing: Dual citizen ‘trap’ for poll victors

Welcome to your noon digest of what’s been making news and what to watch for.

Hello readers. Here is your noon roundup of today’s top stories and a long read for lunchtime.

Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds in the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Monday, March 26, 2018. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Poll trap

Political candidates who have no dual citizenship concerns and win elections could still face constitutional challenges if they enter federal parliament with the help of preferences from candidates found to be ineligible, according to the head of parliament’s electoral matters committee.

“This is not a loophole. It is a clear constitutional interpretation decided in the High Court which can only be changed by a referendum (on section 44).”

Linda Reynolds, Liberal senator

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PM’s power fix

Pro-coal Nationals MPs have applauded a call by the competition watchdog for the government to underwrite low-cost power generation.

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Alan Jones and Mark Latham book Launchat Manjit's restaurant.Mark and Alan taste test.The Wharf, 10/49 Lime St, King St Wharf, Sydney.Picture's Darren Leigh Roberts

‘No one takes him seriously’

Mark Latham offered himself for Labor preselection for the federal seat of Hume in southwest Sydney ahead of the 2016 election but the party endorsed another candidate who failed to win.

Just two years ago Mr Latham was contemplating a comeback with the party he once led, offering to stand as a candidate at a party branch meeting and following up the suggestion with party officials. But he has since joined the Liberal Democrats and is now being mooted as a candidate for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. Troy Bramston, meantime, wonders who is the real Labor ‘king rat’.

“It doesn’t matter which party Mark Latham runs for, no matter what, he and Pauline Hanson will be the lapdogs of Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberals and Nationals. No one takes him seriously anymore.”

Kaila Murnain, NSW Labor secretary

Shari-Lea Hitchcock arrives at the Downing Centre Local Courts in Sydney, Wednesday, July 11, 2018. Ms Hitchcock is pleading not guilty to common assault, assaulting police and resisting arrest after allegedly assaulting a stranger who tried to help her across Oxford Street before biting a young female constable in March 2016. (AAP Image/Erik Anderson) NO ARCHIVING

Reality bites

Billionaire Richard Pratt’s long-term mistress has been found guilty of biting police after the swearing and drunk Sydney socialite tried to resist arrest more than two years ago. Shari-Lea Hitchcock, who was dishevelled and stumbling in the middle of a Sydney road in March 2016 before lashing out at an officer called to protect her, was convicted of three charges and placed on a two-year good behaviour bond.

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U.S. President Donald Trump talks to Supreme Court nominee judge Brett Kavanaugh, his daughters and his wife Ashley Estes Kavanaugh, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., July 9, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis - RC1B13DCF6E0

The long read: Trump tilts the top bench

Donald Trump’s decision to nominate judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court will to leave a legacy for a generation.

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Comment of the day

“This has been a miracle. A miracle of so many people from across the globe putting their lives on the line ... they have showed us what humanity can do when we care enough to put aside all else and work selflessly for the greater good.”

Kerry, in response to ‘All 12 boys and coach rescued’.