Your noon Briefing: PM picks new acting ABC chair

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.

EMBARGO FOR THE DEAL20 APRIL Kirstin Ferguson Pic : Patria Jannides

PM’s ABC pick

Scott Morrison has recommended the appointment of Dr Kirstin Ferguson as the deputy chair ABC board, meaning she will be acting chair of the board until a replacement is found for Justin Milne. Mr Milne resigned yesterday, amid allegations he demanded deposed managing director Michelle Guthrie sack chief economics correspondent Emma Alberici because the government “hated” her, and directed her to “shoot” political editor Andrew Probyn following a meeting with then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

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Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton holding a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

No regrets

Peter Dutton says he has no regrets about challenging Malcolm Turnbull for the leadership of the Liberal Party last month, arguing the Coalition was on its way to a significant defeat under the former prime minister. The Home Affairs Minister, who was beaten by then-treasurer Scott Morrison in the August 24 leadership spill, said the government had done very well under the new Prime Minister.

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A screen-grab taken on Friday, July 20, 2018, of Australian-born Islamic State terrorist Neil Prakash, who could now be freed from Turkish custody if the court determines he isn't under investigation for other crimes. (AAP Image/Supplied) NO ARCHIVING

‘IS made me do it’

Terrorist Neil Prakash has claimed Islamic State forced him to take part in propaganda videos and recruit members because he was Australian. In his first detailed public statements on how he came to be involved with the terror group in Syria, Prakash claimed in a Turkish court he was “used for publicity’’ by the terror group.

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28/09/18 William Johnston (left) with other West Coast fans arrive in Melbourne after a 44 hour bus ride from Busselton in WA. Aaron Francis/The Australian

Weagles dare

West Coast Eagles fans are coming into Melbourne by the busload. Quite literally. A group of nearly 40 Eagles supporters arrived by charter bus at Federation Square this morning for tomorrow’s AFL Grand Final, after a two-day trip across the Nullabor. Bus tour operator Ray Gannaways said: “It’s about 42 hours drive time in that. Six hours for stops along the way. But it’s the companionship, the friendship; all sharing a common goal which is the love and fun of the great Australian game.”

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Comment of the day

“Maybe she is telling the truth. Maybe not. But if Kavanaugh is not appointed, this will most likely go to court.

“If she is vindicated, the she will indeed have done her civic duty. But if she has lied, then she should go to jail for a very long time.

“There should be no tolerance of the democratic process being weaponised.”

John, in response to ‘My name has been destroyed’.