Your noon Briefing: Palaszczuk stands by staffer amid probe

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

Hello readers. Queensland’s premier is standing by her embattled chief of staff, and big water infrastructure plans have been hit by politics.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks with Chief of staff David Barbagallo during estimate hearings at Queensland Parliament in Brisbane, Tuesday, July 23, 2019. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING

Palaszczuk stands by staffer

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk resists pressure to immediately dump her chief of staff over corrupt conduct allegations.

-

Qantas flight a money-spinner

It’s the world’s second busiest air route. For Qantas, it also ranks as one of the world’s most lucrative.

-

Prince Andrew and Epstein allegations

Palace ‘appalled’ by Epstein crimes

Prince Andrew has broken his silence over his friend Jeffrey Epstein’s underage sex scandal and says suggestions he was involved are “abhorrent”.

-

Slaves to their own sanctimony

The activist Left increasingly will bully any journalist impertinent enough to report facts, writes Chris Kenny.

-

Adelaide River, Northern Territory

The long read: Water, it’s our dam shame

Big CSIRO water infrastructure plans have been hit by politics, writes Ean Higgins.