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12.49am EST
00:49Crown Resorts received $291m in jobkeeper
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10.08pm EST
22:08Morrison government releases net zero modelling
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9.49pm EST
21:49PM says government will release net zero modelling this afternoon
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9.40pm EST
21:40‘Of course the French are upset’: Morrison on Aukus fallout
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9.36pm EST
21:36Scott Morrison gives press conference in Melbourne
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9.29pm EST
21:29NSW debates assisted dying laws
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9.21pm EST
21:21Australia hits 90% first dose Covid vaccine target
2.57am EST
02:57
And that is it for Friday’s news. As always, it was a delight to spend the day with you team GA. Thank you for your company.
Let’s go through the big ones for today:
- There was wild weather through large parts of eastern Australia again today. With severe flood warnings issues in SA, QLD, NSW and Vic.
- NSW assisted dying laws were debated in parliament.
- Legendary entertainer Bert Newton was farewelled with a state funeral in Melbourne.
- Australia hit the 90% first-dose vaccine milestone.
- Scott Morrison gave a press conference where he announced the government’s net zero modelling would be released.
- Fifteen minutes after that press conference the modelling was released, to widespread condemnation from climate scientists.
- Crown resorts disclosed it received $291.2m in jobkeeper.
I am off to quickly walk the dog before it starts raining again. If you are in a region severely affected by the wild weather, please keep an eye out for updates from the BoM.
I’ll see you all again on Sunday. Go well.
Updated
at 3.14am EST
2.42am EST
02:42
The NSW transport department has been ordered to pay more than $300,000 in damages to a manager sacked for helping a police investigation into a woman’s murder.
The case involved the 2018 killing of Nicole Cartwright, allegedly at the hands of former transport department employee Dennis James Pietrobon.
2.36am EST
02:36
Tomorrow NT will bring in a vaccine mandate.
It will cover people who work with children, those in customer-facing roles, those who work with vulnerable people and those who work in Aboriginal communities and community services sector.
It also applies to people employed in high-risk settings or in the healthcare sector or people who work in essential infrastructure and logistics.
A full list can be found here.
Updated
at 2.44am EST
2.14am EST
02:14
If you missed the blog this morning on Bert Newton’s funeral, we’ve got a run down here…
2.06am EST
02:06
I’ve got some quotes for you from today’s debate in NSW parliament about the voluntary assisted dying legislation.
In support:
Liberal MP for Pittwater, Rob Stokes: “At the heart of love is freedom and at the heart of freedom is choice. I hate death and the pain it wreaks but love is greater than death.
“While none can escape death we can demonstrate love to those who want to die and those who want to live by empowering them with genuine support for the choice they make.”
Against:
Labor MP for Prospect, Hugh McDermott:
“(The bill) is the most heinous piece of legislation ever introduced before this parliament. The debate must be framed for what it truly involves – a failure of public policy and human rights.”
Updated
at 2.17am EST
1.57am EST
01:57
Modelling of the Morrison government’s strategy to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 shows its “technology not taxes” plan will leave the nation relying on offsets and unknown technology breakthroughs, but leave the gas sector to grow.
Released on Friday afternoon, the modelling report suggests the “net zero” plan will see the value of the coal industry drop by half by 2050.
1.41am EST
01:41
Lisa Cox
A 160km multi-day hiking trail running the length of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park will open to the public on Saturday becoming one of the longest trails in Victoria.
Connecting some of the parks’ most spectacular peaks, the Grampians Peaks Trail is a 13 day/12 night journey commencing at Mt Zero and travelling south over the ranges that make up Gariwerd and ending in the town of Dunkeld.
1.31am EST
01:31
This now from AAP:
Accused drug lord Mostafa Baluch did not attempt bail for a second time after allegedly cutting off his ankle monitor before police found him trying to cross into Queensland.
The fugitive was shackled and flown back to Sydney from the Gold Coast on Thursday evening under police guard before his matter was called on Friday morning.
Magistrate Margaret Quinn confirmed in Central Local Court that his bail had been officially revoked after prosecutors filed fresh charges to ensure he remained in prison.
The northern beaches restaurateur is being held in Silverwater while undergoing a quarantine period, Acting Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Kevin Corcoran told 2GB radio on Friday.
He confirmed Baluch will then be transferred to Goulburn Supermax prison.
“They will be keeping a very close eye on him,” Mr Corcoran said.
Before he was first granted bail he was already deemed an “extreme high-security inmate, with Mr Corcoran saying that could also be upgraded.
“He has been very compliant so far,” he said.
Baluch’s desperate bid for freedom ended when he was found hiding in a grey Mercedes concealed in a shipping container being transported on the back of a truck.
More than two weeks earlier, police say Baluch cut off an ankle monitor while on bail and sparked “one of the largest fugitive hunts in the country”.
Police allege he was planning to flee overseas from Queensland.
Defence lawyer Moustafa Kheir said his client need not appear via video link on Friday and confirmed he would not be applying for bail.
He declined to comment outside court, while the matter will next be called on December 1.
Baluch is charged with a string of drug offences related to a 900kg shipment of cocaine into Australia that had a street value of $270 million.
Following a tip-off Queensland officers searched dozens of trucks before zeroing in on the container after noticing it wasn’t properly secured.
After a night in the Southport Watchhouse, Baluch’s extradition application was consented to without objection.
Wearing prison greens, with hand and leg restraints, Baluch left Southport about 1pm under police escort.
He was taken to Coolangatta Airport and flown by PolAir6 – a Cessna Grand Caravan – to Bankstown Airport.
Before his arrest in Queensland, the accused kingpin was last seen in Bayview on Sydney’s northern beaches on October 25, days after being granted bail.
He was released on strict conditions, including $4 million surety on a waterfront home at Bayview.
The man who was driving the truck in which Baluch was found – who police say owns a transport company – was also arrested.
The 46-year-old has been charged with doing an act intended to pervert the course of justice and denied bail.
1.21am EST
01:21
Woolworths Group have also admitted to getting jobkeeper this afternoon.
Over the 20/21 financial year, $429,000 was paid to 286 workers for a subsidiary of the Endevour Group. The money has been paid back.
Updated
at 1.30am EST
1.11am EST
01:11
Lots of flood warnings coming through for regional NSW. Keep an eye out.
Updated
at 1.13am EST
1.00am EST
01:00
God, I got so caught up in the net zero modelling I almost forgot about the pandemic. Joke. Here is some cool vaccine data
Updated
at 1.04am EST
12.56am EST
00:56
Remeikis said Australia’s journalists need to call lies out when they see politicians make them, instead of helping normalise it.
“It’s not normal for public officials to lie to you, especially so blatantly.”