Dutton’s ‘cavalier attitude’ to climate crisis would do ‘enormous damage’ to Australia’s Pacific relationships, says ConroyDaniel HurstThe Albanese government argues the Coalition’s “regressive and reactionary approach” to the climate crisis would damage Australia’s attempts to repair relationships with Pacific island countries.The federal government minister for the Pacific, Pat Conroy, made the comments in Sydney this afternoon as he delivered his first speech about the region since he was promoted to cabinet in last week’s reshuffle.Conroy told the McKell Institute it was wrong for the opposition leader to refuse to commit to Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target and to take a “cavalier attitude” to climate change:
There is so much wrong with Peter Dutton’s regressive and reactionary approach to climate change.
But one aspect that has not received enough attention is the enormous damage it would do to Australia’s Pacific relationships.
Conroy said the Albanese government’s more ambitious climate policy had “helped unlock” a new era of engagement with Pacific nations.Dutton has committed to net zero by 2050 but has refused to commit to the 2030 target Australia has already enshrined in domestic legislation and formalised under the Paris agreement.ShareUpdated at 08.13 CESTKey eventsPaul KarpThe construction union national secretary, Zach Smith, has posted a new update to members on the Fair Work Commission application to appoint external administrators to most of its branches.In a post to Instagram and Facebook, Smith said the union is still “considering advice from our legal team” and has sought further information from the Fair Work Commission, which it will meet later this week, to decide on a response.The workplace relations minister, Murray Watt, had given the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union until Friday to agree to the appointment of administrators after accusations of criminal misconduct and bikie links, or the government will legislate to appoint them.Smith promised a “considered response” that would be “in the best interests of CFMEU members”, promising that new workplace pay deals will continue to be negotiated and signed and the new industry agreement in Victoria with 5% annual pay increases will be rolled out.Smith said that the Master Builders and “other bosses’ groups have used” the public controversy to attack wages and conditions using “unpublished reports, dubious sources claiming cost blowouts and time delays”.He said:
There is no evidence base for these figures. It is a bare naked attempt to pay construction workers the bare minimum … Your union, the CFMEU is here to stay.
Smith said the union had recovered $22m in unpaid wages, unpaid super contributions and contributions to industry funds.ShareDaisy DumasChild’s hands allegedly burned after touching plasma globe at QuestaconThe federal department that runs Questacon could be fined up to $1.5m after a child’s hands were allegedly set on fire during a visit to the Canberra museum.The nine-year-old was seriously burned after allegedly interacting with a hands-on exhibit at the National Science and Technology Centre in July 2022.The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) has been charged with breaching health and safety laws after a Comcare investigation found a spark from a plasma globe ignited the alcohol-based hand sanitiser used by the child.The sanitiser had been supplied by Questacon and the child suffered burns to their hands and wrists.Read the full story here:ShareUpdated at 08.24 CESTDutton’s ‘cavalier attitude’ to climate crisis would do ‘enormous damage’ to Australia’s Pacific relationships, says ConroyDaniel HurstThe Albanese government argues the Coalition’s “regressive and reactionary approach” to the climate crisis would damage Australia’s attempts to repair relationships with Pacific island countries.The federal government minister for the Pacific, Pat Conroy, made the comments in Sydney this afternoon as he delivered his first speech about the region since he was promoted to cabinet in last week’s reshuffle.Conroy told the McKell Institute it was wrong for the opposition leader to refuse to commit to Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target and to take a “cavalier attitude” to climate change:
There is so much wrong with Peter Dutton’s regressive and reactionary approach to climate change.
But one aspect that has not received enough attention is the enormous damage it would do to Australia’s Pacific relationships.
Conroy said the Albanese government’s more ambitious climate policy had “helped unlock” a new era of engagement with Pacific nations.Dutton has committed to net zero by 2050 but has refused to commit to the 2030 target Australia has already enshrined in domestic legislation and formalised under the Paris agreement.ShareUpdated at 08.13 CESTSarah Basford CanalesReynolds’ lawyer considers adjournment request after defence tenders documents The defamation trial against Brittany Higgins in the WA supreme court has resumed.Linda Reynolds was due to be cross-examined but the defence has tendered a bundle of documents, mostly media articles and a subpoena ACT government document handed to Higgins’ team this morning.Reynolds’ lawyer, Martin Bennett, is contemplating requesting a short adjournment to consider some of the documents.ShareUpdated at 08.02 CESTCorruption watchdog charges two Victorian building authority workersTwo employees of the Victorian Building Authority have today been charged with criminal offences after the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) conducted searches of several premises.The charges relate to the alleged assessment of builder registrations in exchange for a financial benefit, IBAC said in a statement.The investigation continues.ShareUpdated at 07.53 CESTPolice find alleged bandit with Bluey limited edition ‘dollarbucks’NSW Police have been speaking to the media about the alleged theft of $600,000 worth of limited-edition Bluey coins (what a sentence that is) we mentioned earlier.Commander of the state crime command’s robbery and serious crime squad, Det Supt Joseph Doueihi, said the coins were advertised for sale online after being allegedly stolen.Doueihi continues:
We conducted a search warrant at a location in Sefton on Wednesday, the 31st of July this year. At that location, we recovered about 189 Bluey coins. Our investigation at that stage identified that person that was selling those coins was a legitimate coin collector and had innocently come into possession of those items.
Further investigations identified a 47-year-old male from a Westmead address that was involved in the theft. We will allege that this particular male was an employee of the Secure Storage facility at the time of the theft.
We will allege that this particular male facilitated the movement of those coins into an area that is not secured within that storage facility, and then facilitated the theft of those coins. That 47-year-old male was arrested this morning when a search warrant was executed at his residence in Wetherill Park today, with the assistance of Raptor officers. He has since been arrested for a number of offences and will appear before Parramatta local court later on today.
The coins were meant for general circulation and manufactured for that purpose by the mint.Police did not ask the public to surrender any found Bluey coins – “It’s in circulation now, and that’s no issue to us” – but requested anyone who had information about where bulk quantities were stored to contact Crimestoppers.ShareUpdated at 07.46 CESTEmily WindThanks for joining me on the blog today, Stephanie Convery will be here to take you through the rest of our coverage. Enjoy your evening!ShareUnion argues ticketless parking fines spare inspectors violence from aggrieved driversEarlier today, we brought you news that ticketless parking fines had exploded in use in NSW, with some councils refusing calls to alert drivers immediately that they’ve been fined. You can read more on that here.AAP now has more details, with the United Services Union arguing that reducing the need for windshield tickets had spared parking inspectors from aggrieved drivers’s frequent violence.The union’s general secretary, Graeme Kelly, told ABC Radio:
We’ve seen some really violent attacks, including broken bones, femurs, arms, where people have gone into a violent rage as the parking officer writes out the ticket.
He questioned whether the noted rise in infringements indicated rangers no longer had to let motorists off to avoid violent confrontations and said, “I think you’ve noticed an uptick in tickets because they feel more confident now.”A parking sign in Watsons Bay, Sydney. Photograph: The Guardian AustraliaCity of Sydney – which issues 5200 parking fines a week, almost all paperless – said it had recorded a 33% reduction in aggression and abuse directed at staff since switching to the digital system.It was reviewing the government’s request for more “transparency and fairness” but endorsed the status quo, with a spokesperson saying:
The system provides motorists with more information about the infringement, as well as follow-up actions available. It ensures the motorists are notified even if tickets go missing or are damaged by weather.
ShareUpdated at 07.22 CESTWith some upsetting content in the news today, remember to ask for help if you are struggling. Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.htmlShareUpdated at 07.05 CESTDoctor shortage concerns raised over push for age health checkA push to roll out mandatory health checks for older doctors must strike a balance between protecting patient safety while also keeping medics in the shrinking workforce, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners [RACGP] says.As AAP reports, doctors would be required to undergo a health check every three years from their 70th birthday and every year after turning 80, under a Medical Board proposal.In the past eight years, official complaints and concerns about doctors aged 70-80 rose 130% and soared 180% for those aged over 80, the regulator said. Overall, complaints about doctors grew during that time but increased by 63% for those under 70.The RACGP president, Nicole Higgins, said it was essential patients knew they could trust the health system but also pointed out the nation was in the grips of a healthcare workforce shortage – with a shortfall of almost 2500 general practitioners that was expected to more than double by 2033.
There must be a balance. The proposed focus on early detection of potential health issues is welcome in that it implies an approach that supports doctors’ heath, but it is absolutely essential any process is straightforward, not time consuming and focused on the health and wellbeing of doctors.
Doctors will undergo a health check every three years from their 70th birthday under a new proposal. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAPShareUpdated at 07.01 CESTSarah Basford CanalesReynolds-Higgins trial breaking for early lunchOver in Perth, and we’re breaking for an early lunch after Linda Reynolds’ lawyer, Martin Bennett, concluded his initial questioning of the senator shortly before midday.Reynolds is expected to return to the witness stand for cross-examination by Brittany Higgins’ lawyer, Rachael Young SC, in the early afternoon Perth time.The WA supreme court justice, Paul Tottle, said he’d been informed documents subpoenaed by the defence had become available. Young said on Tuesday afternoon the documents were described as containing text messages between Reynolds and Bruce Lehrmann’s then barrister, Steven Whybrow, in the lead up to 2022’s criminal trial.Justice Tottle adjourned court until at least 1.30pm Perth time to allow both legal teams to review the documents and take instructions from their clients.We’ll bring updates once the hearing returns.ShareUpdated at 06.51 CESTSarah Basford CanalesReynolds tells court she has put ‘everything on the line’ to tell her truth Linda Reynolds has put “everything on the line” to tell her truth about her actions after the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins, a court has heard.The WA supreme court was shown a post by Higgins, published on her Instagram story, in March this year as mediation between the parties began.The post included an illustrated woman with the words, “I won’t stay silent so you can stay comfortable.”Reynolds alleged the post was another attempt by Higgins to demonstrate to people online the senator was trying to “silence” sexual assault survivors.Reynolds said she took particular issue with the reference to “comfort”.
I can assure you, taking these proceedings … putting my house on the line … to be here today, that just took the cake.
I have no words for it – it is gross, it is unfair … [I put] everything on the line to be here today, that ain’t comfortable.
Bennett concludes his questioning of Reynolds. Higgins’ lawyer, Rachael Young SC, is due to begin her cross-examination shortly.ShareUpdated at 06.41 CESTCall for Chinese transparency as Pacific leaders to meet later this monthAustralia is calling on China to be more transparent in the Pacific as the region’s leaders and foreign ministers prepare to meet.As AAP reports, the Pacific minister, Pat Conroy, used an address to a public policy thinktank to draw a line in the sand over China’s involvement in policing the region. Beijing has struck a policing pact with Solomon Islands, and reports say uniformed police have been seen in Kiribati.Conroy referred to Pacific nations rejecting a Chinese push for a regional security agreement in 2022, and told the McKell Institute today:
The region has also spelled out … that the security of the Pacific is the shared responsibility of the Pacific family.
He also called for Beijing to abide by calls from Pacific nations to ensure infrastructure projects funded by foreign aid are climate resilient and high quality.Pacific minister Pat Conroy. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPChina had played a vital role in Australia’s economic development, and Pacific nations should be able to “explore economic growth opportunities”, Conroy said.
But we expect this not to be accompanied by coercion and interference. China should be more transparent in the aid it is giving and should treat infrastructure projects as opportunities for the Pacific to grow local employment, skills and procurement.
Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers will meet in Fiji on Friday before leaders meet in Tonga from 26 August.ShareUpdated at 06.37 CESTWhite House correspondent for NYT addresses National Press ClubDavid E. Sanger, a White House and national security correspondent for the New York Times, spoke to the National Press Club in Canberra today about his fourth book – “New Cold Wars: China’s Rise, Russia’s Invasion and the Struggle to Defend the West.”Asked about Washington’s views on Taiwan and whether we are heading towards conflict in the Taiwan Straits, Sanger responded that there were two options: “straight on invasion” or a “slow squeeze.”
The declaration by China that Taiwan is part of China … and thus a slow stranglehold. And the model here of moving slowly, but inexorably, is what happened in Hong Kong. Taiwan would be a very different and more complex issue, but if you did it that way, it might not create an immediate point of crisis the way an invasion would.
It would trigger the United States and its allies to debate whether or not they are going to go intervene. I think this is going to be the hardest issue in the future for the Australian-US relationship, because while Australia has signed up to Aukus and while it may play out over the next two decades – both in pillar one and pillar two of cooperation – I don’t get the sense, with all the expertise I have garnered from being here for four days, that Australia has fully decided whether or not it considers Taiwan to be part of its central and essential strategic interest.
White House and national security correspondent David E. Sanger. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShareUpdated at 06.32 CESTCritical social media posts made Linda Reynolds feel like ‘punching clown on the fairground’Sarah Basford CanalesLinda Reynolds felt like a “punching clown on the fairground” by critical social media posts from Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz, a court has heard.The Western Australian senator is suing Higgins over posts she claims damaged her reputation and were part of a planned conspiracy to harm her.In particular, one Instagram story by Higgins in July 2023 urged Reynolds it was “time to stop” after media reported Reynolds would refer the personal injury settlement to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.Reynolds said the post inferred she was continuing to harass Higgins, which she said continued the “pile on” against the former defence minister. Reynolds said she “felt like a punching clown on the fairground” who got punched down again and again and still popped back up smiling.Earlier, the senator said she had felt “guilty” of needing support from friends and family over the last three and a half years as a result of the posts.
I feel guilty because as the MP, as the senator, I have to put on a brave face … then I go home, that’s the only place I can actually be a human being. These lies have damaged so many people’s lives … that’s why I’m here today.
Reynolds is expected to be cross-examined by Higgins’ lawyer, Rachael Young SC, later today.ShareUpdated at 06.52 CEST‘Strike Force Bandit’ investigating alleged theft and selling of 63,000 unreleased Bluey coinsA man will face court after allegedly stealing and selling unreleased limited edition Bluey coins from a Sydney warehouse earlier this year.Officers attended a warehouse in Wetherill Park on 12 July and were told 63,000 unreleased limited edition $1 Bluey coins had been stolen, worth more than $600,000.The Royal Australian Mint unveiled themed $1 coins in early June, with a limited number made available on 6 June:An aptly named “Strike Force Bandit” commenced an investigation, executed a search warrant at a Sefton property on 31 July and seized 189 of the unreleased coins.Detectives also executed a search warrant at a Westmead home today and arrested a 47-year-old man. He was taken to Granville police station and charged with three counts of breaking and entering to commit a serious indictable offence. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta local court today.Police will allege the man was an employee at a warehouse where he located and stole the Australian Mint packages from the back of a truck. Police will further allege the man sold the coins online hours after he stole them. They are now being sold online for ten times their face value.Police said that “investigations under Strike Force Bandit continue”.One coin from the collection depicts Bluey and Bingo in character as ‘the grannies’ because their catchphrase in the episode is ‘Oh, mah coins!’. Photograph: Royal Australian MintShareUpdated at 06.16 CESTReynolds accuses Dreyfus of ‘seeking to silence’ her over settlement with HigginsSarah Basford CanalesLinda Reynolds has accused the attorney-general, Mark Dreyfus, of “seeking to silence” the former defence minister by denying her a chance to defend herself as the government worked towards a settlement with Brittany Higgins.Reynolds told the WA supreme court this morning her lawyer had received a letter in December 2022 from Commonwealth lawyers instructing her not to attend a mediation hearing with her former junior staffer.Higgins settled a personal injury claim against the government on 12 December 2022. It was later revealed in the Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial the settlement amounted to $2.445m.Reynolds said the claims that she had not given Higgins adequate support after her alleged rape in March 2019 were “utterly defendable”.
My defence was to be no defence … I was outraged.
Reynolds said it was for this reason she referred the matter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Reynolds’ lawyer responded with a letter on 9 December 2022, shown to the court. It read:
We seek to understand from you as to how this prohibition can be reconciled with the Commonwealth’s election to take control of the conduct of Senators Reynolds’ defence of the claims by Ms Higgins.
The mediation was held three days later and Reynolds was not invited to attend. She recalled not receiving a response to this letter.Reynolds said she did not receive “one single phone call, not a single letter” regarding the settlement. She added she did not know the contents of the settlement deed until it was released by Justice Michael Lee in the Lehrmann trial.ShareUpdated at 05.44 CESTAustralia, Canada, the Philippines and US to conduct joint exerciseDaniel HurstAustralia, Canada, the Philippines and the United States have announced that their militaries will conduct a joint exercise in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone today and tomorrow.It comes amid tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.A joint statement by military leaders from Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the US said they were determined to demonstrate “our collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific”.It said their “combined armed forces will conduct a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone on August 7 and 8, 2024”.A maritime cooperative activity between Australia, the United States, Japan and the Philippines in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in April. Photograph: Leo Baumgartner/AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE/AFP/Getty ImagesThe statement continued:
The naval and air force units of participating nations will operate together enhancing cooperation and interoperability between our armed forces. The activity will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other States.
We stand together to address common maritime challenges and underscore our shared dedication to upholding international law and the rules-based order.
The four countries reaffirmed that a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal – which found in favour of the Philippines and was never accepted as valid by China – was “a final and legally binding decision on the parties to the dispute”.ShareUpdated at 05.25 CEST