PM sends Dutton letter encouraging him to engage with voice working group
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, yesterday sent opposition leader Peter Dutton a letter encouraging him and shadow attorney general Julian Leeser to engage with the voice to parliament referendum working group.
In a typed letter, in which the formal address to “Mr Dutton” is crossed out to be replaced with a hand written “Peter” in the blue ink of the PM’s signature, Albanese highlights the work Dutton’s own party has contributed to the process:
Significant work has already been undertaken over the past decade to reach this point, including by the previous Government in which you were a Cabinet Minister. This has included considerable public discussion and work on the Voice model, including the 2018 Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, co-chaired by your Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Mr Julian Lesser MP, and the Indigenous Voice Co-Design Process: Final Report to the Australian Government led by Professor Marcia Langton AO and Professor Tom Calma AO.
Albanese also appeals to the work that has been undertaken by the most recent Liberal minister for Indigenous Australians:
This proposal is the culmination of years of discussion, consultation and hard work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and so many others, including former Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM. It is an extraordinary opportunity for every Australian to be counted and heard – to own this change and be proud of it.
The prime minister’s letter also provides the draft wording for the constitution and invites Dutton to make any suggestions he wishes:
As I have said to you in our meetings, if you have any practical suggestions or amendments on the wording I would welcome your contribution.
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Josh Butler
Voice working group’s ‘most important’ meeting is with Dutton, member says
The referendum working group member Marcus Stewart said today’s meeting with Peter Dutton is potentially “the most important” meeting the group has held, imploring the opposition leader to constructively contribute to the voice to parliament process.
Stewart, co-chair of Victoria’s First Peoples’ Assembly and husband of Labor senator Jana Stewart, told Guardian Australia that the group would seek a commitment from Dutton to help collaborate on and advance the voice proposal.
Stewart said:
We want to work with Peter Dutton and the opposition. We’ll be seeking a commitment that he will work with us, and he will continue to meet with us, as we move toward a moment in history that’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Stewart noted that if the voice referendum was successful, a future Coalition government – whether led by Dutton or others – would be obliged to work with the constitutionally-enshrined voice. He said that should be an incentive for the Liberal Party to engage with the process.
He said:
My advice to Peter, take a step back and think about that you may lead a government one day that, upon a successful referendum on the voice, that you need to work with.
There will be a conservative government at a point in time that will work with the voice… think about what that looks like and how it can be most effective to any government of the day, because the voice’s relationship won’t be with political parties, it will be with the government and the parliament.
Politics aside, we’d think about how we get maximum collaboration.
Speaking later to the ABC, Stewart said the group would discuss with Dutton how best to explain the voice to the Australian people.
As reported this morning, Dutton and shadow Indigenous Australians minister Julian Leeser will join the meeting for around an hour. Stewart said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would also join the meeting today. Following the meeting, which runs for most of the day, it’s expected the group will issue a communique that may decide on some more concrete details about the voice.
The Chaser pulls stunt at George Pell’s funeral
Comedians from the Chaser have attempted to enter George Pell’s memorial in Sydney holding a fake coffin. The Herald Sun is reporting the pair were turned away from St Mary’s Cathedral where the funeral will take place at 11am this morning.
Bandt defends Thorpe’s stance on voice to parliament
Adam Bandt is also questioned by the ABC on potential division within the Greens. He defends Lidia Thorpe’s calls for assurances the voice to parliament will not compromise Indigenous sovereignty, denying they are muddying the water of the voice debate.
Lisa Millar:
Are you comfortable with where you’ve landed about how you’re going to handle the fact that Lidia Thorpe has a different opinion to the rest of the party and you could end up with a rare split in the Greens going into this crucial debate?
Bandt:
Look, we’ve put to the government a number of areas of concern, including on that issue that we and of course Lidia Thorpe has also raised around this question of sovereignty.
Millar:
With respect, they’ve been pretty clear verbally saying it’s not an impact on sovereignty, and Anne Twomey the constitutional lawyer just yesterday said this is really muddying the waters, bringing in this idea of sovereignty versus the voice. Are you not sort of starting to get yourself muddled up a bit with that?
Bandt:
Look, with respect, no. This is something that has been raised as an issue by a number of First Nations groups for some time and this goes back a number of years, this question about what does it mean to have First Nations sovereignty properly recognised in this country.
Because that is, of course, the forerunner to having a treaty in this country. And that is something that has been raised for some time and has been in the public arena or some time well before the election of this government. And I think it’s a legitimate question that can be answered now.
If the government is able to answer it – and Lidia Thorpe herself made this point publicly – that this is about the government now being in a position and are potentially the parliament being in a position to provide those kind of assurances that would satisfy people. Those are the good-faith discussions and the serious discussions that we’re having with the government … and I think we’re doing the right thing working them through seriously with the government.
If you want an explainer on what constitutional experts say on sovereignty, Paul Karp has you covered:
Greens gather for party retreat to discuss voice to parliament
The federal Greens have gathered together for a party retreat at Mount Macedon in Victoria to discuss the Indigenous voice to parliament.
Their leader, Adam Bandt, says the Greens regularly get together before parliament to talk about the party strategy to tackle the big upcoming issues like climate and cost of living.
Our position on the voice is we want to see progress on all of the elements of the Statement from the Heart which includes truth, treaty and voice.
We’ve got, we think, the best opportunity for more than a decade but potentially for a generation, of getting progress on First Nations justice. How can we ensure we get good progress on all of those elements?
Now, there’s a number of issues of concern to us. For example, what does this mean about how we progress treaty? This is a good opportunity to be progressing treaty, which I think would also have the support of the Australian population. What does it mean about sovereignty? Which is a critical issue for many First Nations peoples. Those are the kind of issues that we’re talking about and we are discussing.
And we’re doing that in a very much in a respectful way, understanding that people will bring different experiences to this discussion. But not only as a party, but as a country, we’ve got to have that kind of discussion to move forward and get First Nations justice.
Total fire ban in place for parts of southern NSW
Usman Khawaja cleared to fly after Indian visa sorted
Australian batter Usman Khawaja has been cleared to join his teammates in India after his visa issues were sorted, AAP reports.
Pakistan-born Khawaja will fly out of Melbourne today, more than a day later than planned, after an anxious wait for his visa to be approved.
Approval for arrival into India can often be complex and time-consuming, but every other member of Australia’s 18-man squad was granted entry in time to take flights on Tuesday and Wednesday to their training camp in Bangalore.
The visa process for entry to India asks applicants whether they or their parents are of Pakistani origin.
It is not the first time Khawaja, who was born in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, has faced visa challenges when trying to enter India.
Yesterday Australia’s opener posted a popular meme on Instagram along with the hashtags “stranded”, “dontleaveme”, “standard” and “anytimenow”.
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PM sends Dutton letter encouraging him to engage with voice working group
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, yesterday sent opposition leader Peter Dutton a letter encouraging him and shadow attorney general Julian Leeser to engage with the voice to parliament referendum working group.
In a typed letter, in which the formal address to “Mr Dutton” is crossed out to be replaced with a hand written “Peter” in the blue ink of the PM’s signature, Albanese highlights the work Dutton’s own party has contributed to the process:
Significant work has already been undertaken over the past decade to reach this point, including by the previous Government in which you were a Cabinet Minister. This has included considerable public discussion and work on the Voice model, including the 2018 Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, co-chaired by your Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Mr Julian Lesser MP, and the Indigenous Voice Co-Design Process: Final Report to the Australian Government led by Professor Marcia Langton AO and Professor Tom Calma AO.
Albanese also appeals to the work that has been undertaken by the most recent Liberal minister for Indigenous Australians:
This proposal is the culmination of years of discussion, consultation and hard work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and so many others, including former Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM. It is an extraordinary opportunity for every Australian to be counted and heard – to own this change and be proud of it.
The prime minister’s letter also provides the draft wording for the constitution and invites Dutton to make any suggestions he wishes:
As I have said to you in our meetings, if you have any practical suggestions or amendments on the wording I would welcome your contribution.
Snap review calls for alcohol bans in NT communities until they can develop own plans
Lorena Allam
The Northern Territory government must urgently amend its Liquor Act to impose alcohol bans in central Australian communities, including the town camps in Alice Springs, according to a snap review.
The bans would remain until communities have developed their own alcohol management plans. Once those plans are in place, communities may then opt out of the legislative restrictions.
Those are the key recommendations of the highly anticipated first report of Dorrelle Anderson, who was appointed the regional controller for central Australia in the wake of rising social unrest and street violence in Alice Springs.
The report has not been made public, but details have begun to emerge since it was handed to the NT government yesterday and the federal government late last night.
The prime minister Anthony Albanese will meet with the NT chief minister Natasha Fyles this afternoon to discuss the report and a way forward. Those discussion will likely involve a pitch by the NT for increased federal funding.
Protesters to rally outside Cardinal Pell funeral mass
More details from AAP on Cardinal George Pell’s funeral in Sydney:
Police will maintain a “buffer zone” between protesters and mourners outside a funeral service for the late Cardinal George Pell at St Mary’s Cathedral.
The former Catholic archbishop of Melbourne and Sydney will be laid to rest at a mass at 11am following his death in Rome earlier this month at age 81.
Police initially attempted to block a planned action outside the event by LGBTQ+ group Community Action for Rainbow Rights before an agreement was reached late on Wednesday.
Protest organisers agreed not to march on College Street directly next to the cathedral but will be allowed to gather on the other side of the road within earshot of mourners.
NSW police acting assistant commissioner Martin Fileman said the “buffer zone” would help mitigate the potential for clashes between protesters and mourners.
We ask that people attending on both sides, that they’re respectful of each other and that they comply with police directions.
Cardinal Pell’s controversial stance on issues including gay marriage and abortion rights has been the subject of staunch criticism since his death, as well as allegations he committed and covered up child abuse while in a position of power within the Church.
Protest organiser Kim Stern told media yesterday he expected police and media attention directed at the rally would add to the number of people who attended.
We’re now able to march up, right opposite the church and have our voices heard – have a loud, visible, angry rally.
Survivors of abuse and campaigners who fought to achieve same-sex marriage in Australia are among those expected to address the crowd of protesters within metres of the cathedral doors.
If Dutton is ‘serious’ about understanding voice he needs to attend meetings, Pat Anderson says
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, will today be attending the Indigenous voice to parliament working group meeting.
Pat Anderson says if Dutton is “serious” about understanding the voice he’ll need to attend multiple meetings.
Maybe this will be the beginning of several conversations before he actually makes up his mind. I know the government, the Albanese government is keen to go to referendum with a bipartisanship happening.
So this is an important meeting today for how the nation proceeds but hopefully it won’t be one meeting because he can’t pick everything in one meeting. But it’s the beginning of a conversation of people with goodwill and good heart.
If he’s serious, he needs to have more than one conversation I would think.
‘It just didn’t happen overnight’: Pat Anderson criticises governments over Alice Springs crisis
The ABC is reporting the newly appointed central Australian commissioner Dorrelle Anderson’s report suggests alcohol bans should be urgently re-introduced in Alice Springs and the Northern Territory.
RN Breakfast host Patricia Karvelas asks Aboriginal health and rights advocate Pat Anderson:
This idea of the Northern Territory legislating alcohol restrictions for a longer period while individual communities can make their decisions. What do you make of that sort of idea?
Anderson:
It’s a tragedy that’s happening, but this is a long time in the making it just didn’t happen overnight.
There has been hardly any investment in remote Indigenous communities for decades.
There’s no quick fix. The alcohol restrictions they are doing now – well they have to do something. It’s a tragedy but it’s a long time in the making and successive governments of all political persuasions have known about this.
Karvelas:
Under the recommendation that I’ve been briefed on communities would only be able to opt out of the scheme if they have an alcohol management plan, and they actually have a broad plan. Do you think that’s a good plan to try and transition communities in the longer term to designing their own futures?
Anderson:
I think the question should be put, always, to the First Nations people who live in Alice Springs and across the NT.
Police to hold ‘buffer zone’ at George Pell’s funeral in Sydney
Good morning! Natasha May on deck with you, taking over from Martin.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, will meet with the Northern Territory’s chief minister Natasha Fyles today where they will discuss the recommendations of a report into surging youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Alice Springs.
It comes ahead of Albanese meeting with all state and territory leaders at National Cabinet tomorrow following an informal meeting occurring tonight. Albanese is expected to face calls from premiers and chief ministers for the federal government to increase its financial contribution to healthcare services.
In Sydney, the funeral service for the late Cardinal George Pell will take place at St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday with a mass to be led at 11am by the Archbishop of Sydney, Reverend Anthony Fisher.
Police will maintain a “buffer zone” between mourners and protesters from LGBTQ+ group Community Action for Rainbow Rights.
Police had initially attempted to block a planned action but an agreement was reached yesterday. Protest organisers agreed not to march on College Street directly next to the cathedral but will be allowed to gather on the other side of the road within earshot of mourners.
In Brisbane, former social services Christian Porter, will give evidence at robodebt royal commission hearings today. He follows Alan Tudge yesterday, who denied he was responsible for his department’s failure to check the legality of the scheme, telling the commission the issue didn’t cross his mind “until I read about it in the newspaper” years later.
Let’s get into it!
GPs warn of over-prescription and medicine shortages over NSW plan
Paul Karp
GPs have hit back at New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet’s plan to allow pharmacists to prescribe some medicines, warning it could result in over-prescription and worsen medicine shortages.
President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Nicole Higgins, warned the “biggest risk to general practice” is states applying payroll tax on GPs which would “kill off bulk-billing in NSW” and add $10-15 to the cost of a visit to the doctor.
The New South Wales premier, Dominic Perrottet, wants a NSW trial for pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics for urinary tract infections, treatments for skin conditions and infections and birth control to be extended nationwide, ending doctors’ effective monopoly on prescriptions.
Higgins said that “often what seems straightforward is quite complex” and “the skill of general practice is actually knowing when not to prescribe”.
Higgins noted “the current antibiotic shortage” and said that research overseas showed that “pharmacists are more likely to prescribe antibiotics”. “At a time when we have a shortage of medications, increasing the prescribers is a bit of an oxymoron.”
Higgins said that a trial of pharmacists prescribing antibiotics for UTIs in north Queensland had increased the rate of prescriptions, despite the fact only 50% of people who presented with symptoms had a UTI.
“GPs have spent more than 10 years training – they know how to diagnose and manage conditions and prescribe medicine.”
Higgins said that “pulling other professions” in to “plug holes” in general practice would do nothing to deal with “significant” workforce shortages among pharmacists and nurses.
Australian Medical Association president, Steve Robson, said the debate is “not about exclusivity, it’s about patient safety”.
Robson said Queensland’s trial had resulted in “serious conditions going undiagnosed and patients suffering as a result”.
“Pharmacists are experts in medications and medication management and we respect that. They are not a substitute for a GP.”
Daniel Hurst
More than 35,000 workers in Australia under Pacific labour scheme, Albanese says
More than 35,000 workers are now in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (Palm) scheme, according to new figures released by the federal government.
The government says that when it came to office in May the total number of Palm workers in Australia was just over 24,400 – but by the end December this had risen to 35,100.
This means the government reached its budget commitment to reaching 35,000 workers by June 2023 six months ahead of schedule. The program, which includes participants from nine Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, is demand-driven so the 35,000 figure is not a limit.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said:
My government is delivering on its commitment to reform and expand PALM and is already six months ahead of schedule.
I was pleased to meet with PALM workers when I visited Fiji in July of last year, seeing firsthand the people who will make significant contributions to Australia’s workforce.This scheme is a practical measure that shows our respect for the Pacific and will build a stronger Pacific family.
The government says the scheme helps fill workforce shortages across 28 industries, including agriculture, food processing, accommodation and hospitality and aged care – but also lifting families out of poverty across the region:
In a region where more than one third of people live on less than $1,000 per year, long term PALM workers send home an average of $15,000 each.
The minister for international development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, said the scheme was highly valued by the leaders he had met across the region:
With the money they’re earning in Australia these workers are building new homes, putting children through school and kick-starting businesses in their home countries. It’s been heartening to see the impact on the ground – from Solomon Islands to Vanuatu.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news coverage. I’m Martin Farrer bringing you the best of the overnight yarns before my colleague Natasha May takes over.
With foreign minister Penny Wong and defence minister Richard Marles busy on the European diplomatic/defence circuit with a big meeting in the UK later today, Anthony Albanese has given us an interview in which he suggests he would always have signed up to the Aukus pact, and discusses how Labor intends to deal with “an insecure world”. The prime minister’s comments set him against an illustrious Labor predecessor, Paul Keating, who has argued that the pact diminishes Australia’s strategic sovereignty. But Albanese says Aukus has to be part of the country’s new defence capability both with partnerships and new weapons systems.
A bill to allow for the voice to parliament will be introduced into parliament next month with referendum campaigning expected to accelerate quickly from next week. Albanese called on Peter Dutton to bring “an open heart” on the voice when he meets an expert Indigenous referendum group today, with the opposition leader challenged to make a “constructive contribution” on the matter.
It’s also a big moment on the economic front as we report today that renters and families already struggling with energy bills have been hit by another disproportionately hefty gas price hike in four states. The IMF gives its latest assessment of how the economy is travelling today, and there are figures from the ABS about how many new houses are being built to give a snapshot of the property market.
And Gautam Adani – the Indian billionaire behind the controversial Adani colamine project in Queensland – has been forced to scrap a US$2.5bn share sale in his flagship company overnight thanks to a rout sparked by a US short-seller’s criticisms of alleged stock manipulation. Adani has strongly denied the accusations but the withdrawal of the Adani Enterprises share offering marks a stunning setback for the man who until recently was pushing to become the world’s richest man.
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