News in five.
1. Hunt on for Morrison’s secret roles
The Albanese government has ordered a search for documents authorising former prime minister Scott Morrison to secretly take joint control over multiple ministerial portfolios and sought advice on whether it was legal to do so.
2. Hobart to remove premier’s statue
The statue of Tasmanian premier William Crowther will be taken down, due to his history of mutilating Aboriginals.
3. Packer claims Costello on payroll
The Sydney Morning Herald’s top editorial executive, James Chessell, has hit back at claims by James Packer that Nine chairman Peter Costello acted as a “secret lobbyist”.
4. Adelaide teacher faces Phnom Penh’s wrath
Cambodia’s main opposition party has called for criminal defamation charges to be dropped against its deputy president, former Adelaide schoolteacher Son Chhay.
5. Europe torches wildfire record
Europe is on track to break records for the scale of wildfires this year, with the equivalent of one-fifth of Belgium torched amid searing heatwaves and a historic drought.
News
Opinion
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Media
“We are vastly more profitable and have created a potent platform for even greater growth …”
The News Corp chief executive announces Rupert Murdoch’s global business has reported record profits of $14.9 billion over the past financial year. Good for him.
Politics
“These are natural conversations that a premier or a prime minister has with their team.”
The New South Wales premier admits to discussing post-politics jobs with the state’s transport minister. In fairness, he does have a large family to feed.
Crime
“My beautiful home … is currently under siege.”
The former US president announces that the FBI raided his Mar-a-Lago estate, seizing boxes of documents. It’s becoming quite clear that Trump doesn’t know what “siege” means.
Health
“It is clear this app failed as a public health measure and that’s why we’ve acted to delete it.”
The health minister retires the CovidSafe app, which cost $21 million to develop and only identified two unique cases of Covid-19. Speaking of wasted money, wait until they hear about offshore detention.
Liberties
“Some of these work sites ... are potentially very, very dangerous places.”
The Victorian premier explains why he has passed laws that could jail people for a year if they protest against logging. It’s not the real reason, but it’s better than the truth.
Deaths
“Our love for each other transcends our understanding.”
The husband of Olivia Newton-John announces her death. She was 73.
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