NSW minister David Elliott reportedly blasts ‘treachery’ of colleague Matt Kean
Josh Butler
NSW Liberal state minister David Elliott has blasted colleague Matt Kean for “treachery”, in the latest salvo in an extraordinary civil war brewing inside the Coalition in the wake of the federal election.
Radio station 2GB reported Elliott’s fury at a story in the Australian newspaper over the weekend, which reported that Kean – the NSW treasurer – had encouraged media travelling with former prime minister Scott Morrison to keep asking questions about controversial Liberal candidate Katherine Deves.
The newspaper reported Kean had sent a Twitter message to a TV journalist, suggesting she ask questions of NSW minister Natalie Ward when she appeared alongside Morrison at a press conference in May.
The Australian reported federal Liberals were upset at Kean’s actions, after he’d earlier called for Deves to be disendorsed.
On Monday, Elliott gave comments to 2GB about the issue.
“Matt Kean’s behaviour is nothing short of treachery and will be repaid in kind. I’m disgusted,” Elliott said, according to 2GB host Ben Fordham.
Elliott also said “it’s the sort of thing I have come to expect from a certain former Liberal MP” – which Fordham claimed was a reference to Malcolm Turnbull, a regular critic of his former colleagues.
Experts will gather in Wollongong over the next two days to present their findings on the “remarkable impact” Covid-19 has had on personal, social and professional lives across Australia, AAP reports.
The agenda will focus on the universal hiatus in mobility brought about by the pandemic.
While catastrophic, Covid-19 has provided an opportunity to reflect on the importance of freedom of movement for everyday life and “what this means in a world of overlapping crises”, said convenor Dr Theresa Harada.
From remote working to home deliveries, decreased use of public transport and pop-up cycling lanes, adapted practices have brought to light the hidden aspects of mobility justice.
Essential workers and those in precarious employment were exposed to higher levels of risk from Covid-19 because they did not have the option to work from home.
Those with disabilities have also faced harsh times due to infrastructural and social barriers that have prevented them from moving freely.
The University of Wollongong, Geographical Society of NSW, Australian Mobilities Research Network and Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space are hosting the symposium.
Tides are also hazardous in Queensland:
Big evening tides near or slightly above HAT (Highest Astronomical Tide) along the southern Qld coast this week. Localised tidal flooding possible in susceptible, low-lying areas, especially about #Brisbane bayside & nearby suburbs. Qld Gov tide data here: https://t.co/NTG1nh2iTa pic.twitter.com/cwe50gKF3E
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) June 12, 2022
Dangerous weather in parts of WA and NSW
In Western Australia, an intense low pressure system is generating damaging winds across parts of the south-west, with a severe weather warning still in place as the low tracks eastward.
Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are likely through parts of the south-west. Winds are expected to spread east today.
The BoM said the front was expected to produce dangerous weather only seen once every three to four years in the south-west of the state.
Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Esperance, Katanning, Manjimup, Margaret River, Mount Barker and Narrogin.
Some mesmerising cloud swirling around a low pressure system to the south of the state. This system brought some damaging wind gusts to the southwest corner of the State – #CapeLeeuwin reported a gust of 120kmh just after 6pm yesterday. A Severe Weather Warning is still current. pic.twitter.com/ZgeqLf8cXI
— Bureau of Meteorology, Western Australia (@BOM_WA) June 12, 2022
Meanwhile, hazardous surf conditions continue in New South Wales. Swimmers have been urged to stay away from the surf this long weekend with waves of up to five metres expected along the coast.
Areas affected include Byron coast, Coffs coast, Macquarie coast, Hunter coast, Sydney coast, Illawarra coast, Batemans coast and Eden coast.
Queensland releases Local Thriving Communities plan for Indigenous groups
The Queensland government has released its Local Thriving Communities action plan in a step towards “self-determination, equality and culture” for 19 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups in the state.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships Craig Crawford said the plan was the “next significant milestone” in the reform journey.
Traditionally, government has taken a top-down approach to decision making. The action plan … sets out workable solutions underpinned by the principles of self-determination, participation, equality and culture.
Local thriving communities … draws on the strengths of community and culture, working together with First Nations leaders and communities to co‑design and implement reform, and establish local decision-making bodies.
The independent decision-making bodies will offer a representative voice to engage the Queensland government’s investments and community decisions.
The capture & verification of preferences for the ACT Senate has concluded with the distribution of preferences set to occur at 10am tomorrow.
The two successful candidates will be announced here and via a media release. #ausvotes2022
— AEC ✏️ (@AusElectoralCom) June 12, 2022
In addition to the ACT, the capture & verification of preferences for the NT Senate has also concluded.
The distribution of preferences for the NT is set to occur at 11am (local time) tomorrow. The final result will be announced here and via a media release. #ausvotes2022
— AEC ✏️ (@AusElectoralCom) June 12, 2022
Tasmania weather alert issued
In Tasmania, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a road weather alert for the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Central Plateau, Midlands and East Coast districts as icy weather continues.
Tasmania’s State Emergency Service warned yesterday it was experiencing a “high number of requests for assistance”, particularly in the north-west of the State:
Crews have been busy since Saturday afternoon and are working through the requests as quickly as possible. Please be patient.
Eight people were rescued from blizzards and extreme winds on the summit of Tasmania’s kunanyi/Mt Wellington on Saturday night as winds, rain and below-average temperatures moved across Australia’s east.
A final flood warning has also been issued for the Bogan River at Gongolgon.
Prof Anne Green given Companion of the Order of Australia
Anne Green is one of several female scientists given the country’s highest recognition for her work, which has included a pioneering role in physics, AAP reports.
When Green began her career studying the stars, women were such a rarity in the male-dominated field that special provisions had to be made:
When I first went to the telescope to observe, I was given the professor’s room because it was the only one with a shower; they hadn’t even considered that there would be women astronomers.
Professor Green’s 50-year career in astrophysics and astronomy has been dotted with firsts.
She was the first female PhD physics student at Sydney University, receiving her doctorate in 1973. She went on to become one of the first female radio astronomers and the university’s first female head of physics.
Much of her work involved mapping the Milky Way and studying the remnants of exploded stars, known as supernovae.
Green was one of several female scientists to be recognised with the top award in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
She was appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia for her contributions to science as a researcher, educator and mentor.
I’ve had opportunities in my career that, in hindsight, I’m gobsmacked about, but every time I’ve been offered an opportunity, I’ve accepted the challenge. That’s something I’ve always said to young scientists, particularly women, to take the challenge when it’s offered.
Australia’s chief defence scientist, Tanya Monro, was recognised for her contributions in the field of photonics, while Antarctic researcher Patricia Selkirk was singled out for her contributions to science and conservation.
NSW minister David Elliott reportedly blasts ‘treachery’ of colleague Matt Kean
Josh Butler
NSW Liberal state minister David Elliott has blasted colleague Matt Kean for “treachery”, in the latest salvo in an extraordinary civil war brewing inside the Coalition in the wake of the federal election.
Radio station 2GB reported Elliott’s fury at a story in the Australian newspaper over the weekend, which reported that Kean – the NSW treasurer – had encouraged media travelling with former prime minister Scott Morrison to keep asking questions about controversial Liberal candidate Katherine Deves.
The newspaper reported Kean had sent a Twitter message to a TV journalist, suggesting she ask questions of NSW minister Natalie Ward when she appeared alongside Morrison at a press conference in May.
The Australian reported federal Liberals were upset at Kean’s actions, after he’d earlier called for Deves to be disendorsed.
On Monday, Elliott gave comments to 2GB about the issue.
“Matt Kean’s behaviour is nothing short of treachery and will be repaid in kind. I’m disgusted,” Elliott said, according to 2GB host Ben Fordham.
Elliott also said “it’s the sort of thing I have come to expect from a certain former Liberal MP” – which Fordham claimed was a reference to Malcolm Turnbull, a regular critic of his former colleagues.
Anthony Albanese has tweeted an official shout out to health workers recognised in this year’s Queens Birthday Honours list.
The Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours recipients represent the best of Australia. It’s been a tough few years with floods, fires and COVID-19. A special congratulations to the health professionals, first responders and volunteers who helped Australians through these times of crisis.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 12, 2022
It comes as Victoria today announced the first round of recipients for mRNA research projects with $2 million shared in grants for Victorian scientists.
Successful recipients include technology for muscular dystrophy and an mRNA vaccine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Victoria will soon become the first place in the southern hemisphere to manufacture mRNA vaccines, with Moderna set to establish a large-scale manufacturing facility in Melbourne.
Victoria records three deaths, 5,079 new Covid cases
Victoria’s department of health has released today’s Covid update.
There have been 5,079 new cases detected and three further deaths.
There are 444 people being treated in hospital with the virus including 23 people in ICU.
NSW records three deaths, 4,600 new Covid cases
NSW Health has released today’s Covid update.
There have been 4,600 new cases detected and three further deaths.
There are 1,287 people being treated in hospital with the virus including 40 people in ICU.
COVID-19 update – Monday 13 June 2022
In the 24-hour reporting period to 4pm yesterday:
– 96.5% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
– 95% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/xLDO1grNqH— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 12, 2022
Josh Butler
Chris Bowen has Zoom call with John Kerry
Labor’s climate change minister Chris Bowen has met American climate change envoy John Kerry, promising the two countries will be “key partners” on the environment.
The pair met for a Zoom call that appeared to be from their respective home offices, judging from a screenshot tweeted by Bowen on Monday morning:
“Under our new government, Australia and the US will be key partners, working together to tackle [the] climate emergency and build the jobs of the future,” Bowen tweeted.
In Bowen’s other role as minister for energy, he’s facing calls to do more to shore up Australia’s gas supply – including from former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who this morning suggested the new government should look at a new gas reservation policy, or potentially face “wholesale prices $400 a megawatt and higher.”