Yahoo News Afternoon Update: Morrison grilled at robodebt inquiry; Azealia Banks lashes Australia; and snakes have clitorises
Scott Morrison faced a grilling today at the robodebt royal commission over his role in the scheme, which was found to be unlawful and resulted in a $1.8bn payout to hundreds of thousands of victims.
Morrison was social services minister when the failed scheme was developed and introduced in 2015, treasurer while it was expanded, and prime minister when it faced two court challenges.
The former PM at times appeared to frustrate the panel on Wednesday, with Morrison “wandering a bit” with drawn-out answers that didn’t answer the questions posed.
“I understand you come from a background where rhetoric is important,” commissioner Catherine Holmes said at one point. “It’s necessary to listen to the question and just answer it without extra detail, unnecessary detail.”
My colleague Luke Henriques-Gomes has been covering the robodebt scandal since day one, and had this report on Morrison’s appearance today.
Top news
Greens back energy plan | The government’s energy plan is assured to pass on Thursday after the Greens declared their support for the bill. Leader Adam Bandt said the party had struck a deal with Labor to help homes and business transition from gas to electric. The details of the “significant” package are expected to be outlined in the 2023 budget.
New details on Queensland shooting | Stacey Train, the woman who died alongside the shooters on Monday night, was previously married to Nathaniel Train before leaving him for his brother Gareth. She was known to be religious and held anti-vaxx views, a former colleague said. Meanwhile, constable Randall Kirk, one of the two surviving officers from the ambush, has spoken publicly for the first time since the attack. “My main thoughts are with the other police families at this awful time. It means a lot to know the community cares for all of us,” he said.
Progressives dominate Victoria’s upper house | The Greens and Legalise Cannabis will be key players in the state’s upper house after the progressive parties won four and two seats respectively. The final results revealed today show Labor’s share dropping by three to 15 seats. With 21 out of 40 votes needed to pass legislation, Labor will need the support of six crossbenchers.
Kyrgios dismayed over award | Nick Kyrgios was less than impressed with Ash Barty being awarded her fifth Newcombe medal. The world No 22, who enjoyed his best season and reached the final at Wimbledon, shared a graphic comparing his 2022 achievements with Barty’s on Instagram with the caption: “LOL. No respect at all. I don’t give a ...”
Scientists discover the snake clitoris | In the latest of scientific revelations previously hindered by gendered bias, Australian scientists have discovered that female snakes actually have clitorises. And the reason it took so long to arrive at this conclusion? “A massive taboo around female genitalia,” said Megan Folwell, the study’s lead author and a PhD student at the University of Adelaide.
New Zealand ‘suitcase murders’ not guilty plea | The 42-year-old mother accused of murdering her two children and stuffing them into suitcases has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The bodies of the young children, who were aged around five to 10 years, were discovered in suitcases by an Auckland family, who bought the luggage in a storage facility’s online auction in August.
Biden signs law protecting same-sex marriage | There were celebrations on the White House south lawn as US president Joe Biden signed into law landmark legislation protecting same-sex and interracial marriages. A conservative backlash over gender issues and alarming incidents of anti-LGBTQ+ violence prompted Congress to pass legislation to protect same-sex marriage.
England banning single-use plastics | Items including cutlery, plates and polystyrene cups are to be banned by the UK government, following steps already taken in Scotland and Wales. Australian states have already started phasing out single-use plastics, with most items to be banned by 2025.
Eel population plummeting | The EU has decided to allow eel fishing to continue, despite eels being critically endangered. Conservation groups have warned eels face population collapse, but the EU still ended up setting fishing quotas above recommendations from scientists.
Full Story
How to Covid-proof your Christmas
The Doherty Institute’s director Prof Sharon Lewin answers your questions about how you and your family can best avoid Covid during the festive season. Listen to this 19-minute episode.
What they said …
***
“This place (Australia) makes me utterly miserable and I’m too black and beautiful to have a bunch of white people in my face playing with me over their WEAK ASS CURRENCY.” – Azealia Banks
The US rapper cancelled her Brisbane concert hours before it was due to begin, and has vowed to never tour in Australia again, citing a past concert in the city as “the most racist, most demoralising experience of my fucking life”.
In numbers
The once-sleepy seaside town of Byron Bay is creaking under the weight of 2.2 million visitors a year. Property owners say a council proposal to cap some accommodation at 90 days a year will “devastate the economy” and won’t solve the housing problem.
Before bed read
Moroccan flags are flying high in parts of western Sydney as Arab Australians rally in support of the nation in the World Cup.
Morocco is the first Arab and African nation to reach the semi-finals, and shisha cafes have been brimming with patrons eager to watch the team.
“We have shown every Morocco match here. Their community comes here to watch it, we make them shisha even in the morning. But their victory is also a victory for all Arabs, we have never been happier as a community,” said Shade Zarqa, the owner of Al Andalus cafe in Lakemba.
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