LIVE - Updated at 09:51
Follow all the day's news.
And that's where we'll leave you this evening. Here's what we learned:
The prime minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that parliament will make up the days it is missing this week before budget week, and reiterated that the referendum on an Indigenous voice was his government's priority.
An independent review into the role of the former NSW deputy Liberal leader Stuart Ayres in the hiring of John Barilaro to a plum New York trade job found he did not breach the ministerial code of conduct.
The deputy prime minister Richard Marles said he was confident the national anti-corruption commission bill will pass before the end of year.
Marles, also the defence minister, hailed the Ukraine counteroffensive against Russia as his Ukrainian counterpart underlined the role of Australia's Bushmaster military vehicles in the conflict.
Westpac became the last of the big for banks to pass on the RBA's 0.5% cash rate rise.
Events leading up to fraudster Melissa Caddick's mysterious disappearance before her foot washed up on the New South Wales south coast are being scrutinised in an inquest.
Victoria proclaimed the new king today, with parliamentarians having to swear allegiance to King Charles III, as per the state's constitution.
Journalists at Nine mastheads, including some of Australia's biggest newspapers, are set to strike over a long-running pay dispute.
The NSW health minister Brad Hazzard has announced that elective surgeries will continue on the public holiday to mark the passing of the Queen.
In a statement, Hazzard said the surgeries will continue next Thursday to avoid any disruption to the backlog, and said he was encouraging all health districts to go ahead with as many of their planned elective surgeries as possible:
Obviously many of us feel great sadness following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II but as health minister, it is my role to ensure our hospitals continue to perform necessary activity where possible, while also respecting the protocols that have been put in place to mark this special day.
Jacinda Ardern has indicated that there are no plans for a vote on New Zealand becoming a republic any time soon.
The prime minister said earlier today that her government won't be pursuing any moves towards a republic in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II's death.
Ardern conceded she believed New Zealand would eventually become a republic, but added that she thought there were more pressing issues facing her government:
There's been a debate, probably for a number of years. It's just the pace, and how widely that debate is occurring. I've made my view plain many times. I do believe that is where New Zealand will head, in time. I believe it is likely to occur in my lifetime. But I don't see it as a short-term measure or anything that is on the agenda any time soon.
There's been a debate, probably for a number of years. It's just the pace, and how widely that debate is occurring.
I've made my view plain many times. I do believe that is where New Zealand will head, in time. I believe it is likely to occur in my lifetime.
But I don't see it as a short-term measure or anything that is on the agenda any time soon.
Greens senator Lidia Thorpe has taken to Twitter to share her thoughts on the death of the Queen, saying she's felt "anger and disbelief from First Nations people" at the glorification of Australia's head of state.
Thorpe goes on to declare that Australia needs its own head of state, and that a process towards working that out would "bring us all together":
The Queen is dead. I've had some days to reflect, and know that people wanted me to come out ranting and raving to confirm their views of me as a crazy Blak woman. In the days since, I've seen anger and disbelief from First Nations people at the glorification of our oppressor.
This Country has a new King. The parliament and the Prime Minister are subjugated to someone we didn't elect. We don't need a new King, we need a head of state chosen by the people.
We could use this moment and momentum to empower people to democratically elect our own leader. Someone who represents all of us, uniting a country that has owned up to its past and chosen its own future. That unity would be more powerful than any King. But we must Treaty first.
The Queen's B'day public holiday on the second Monday in June in Victoria will become the King's B'day holiday and remain on the same day.
The state gov also says next Thursday's public holiday will be a normal trading day like Boxing Day and GF eve. @abcmelbourne
In a change of pace, I'd like to report some good news: Calves thought stolen from a farm in north-west Tasmania have been found and returned to their owner, according to AAP.
Police on Monday morning said they were investigating the possible theft of 23 black and white Friesian heifer cows, aged three-to-four-months-old, from the rural community of Forest.
"Police have received advice that the calves reported to have been stolen at Forest have been located and returned to the owner," a statement from Tasmania Police said.
The calves were described as weighing about 130kg each with orange or yellow ear tags.
All's well that ends well then.
Health professionals are sounding the alarm as the recently announced public holiday to mark the death of the Queen could cause delays to thousands of surgeries.
Australian Medical Association NSW president, Michael Bonner, was on ABC Radio Sydney earlier today, and he criticised the decision to go ahead with a public holiday, adding that it would stretch an already-stained health system:
This has been a year of significant disruption in health care anyway and we have thousands of people around the country who have booked surgery. People make these decisions a long way in advance, they plan for it and it is very difficult to get another day planned simply because you have to be re-booked and rescheduled. Our system is working as hard as it can to get people seen and operated on.
This has been a year of significant disruption in health care anyway and we have thousands of people around the country who have booked surgery.
People make these decisions a long way in advance, they plan for it and it is very difficult to get another day planned simply because you have to be re-booked and rescheduled.
Our system is working as hard as it can to get people seen and operated on.
New Zealand's prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has announced her government will be scrapping a series of Covid restrictions, including dumping its traffic light system.
Ardern said it was "time to safely turn the page", announcing that masks will no longer be mandatory in indoor public places, and that some vaccine mandates will be eased:
Today marks a milestone in our response. Finally, rather than feeling that Covid dictates what happens to us, our lives, and our futures, we take back control. With the lowest cases and hospitalisations since February, our population well vaccinated, and expanded access to anti-viral medicines, New Zealand is in a position to move forward. We move forward with confidence knowing that we're not going to use those measures in the future.
Today marks a milestone in our response. Finally, rather than feeling that Covid dictates what happens to us, our lives, and our futures, we take back control.
With the lowest cases and hospitalisations since February, our population well vaccinated, and expanded access to anti-viral medicines, New Zealand is in a position to move forward.
We move forward with confidence knowing that we're not going to use those measures in the future.
Petrol prices at eight-month low
Motorists are enjoying the cheapest petrol in eight months, with the national average fuel price sitting at $1.64 a litre, AAP is reporting.
This represents an 8.5c drop from the week before.
CommSec economist Craig James said the fall in the average retail price was largely driven by the large east coast cities moving into the low points of their fuel cycles.
Across the major cities, last week drivers paid $1.61 a litre, on average, while regional motorists paid $1.70 a litre, on average.
James said global oil prices bounced around last week.
Disruptions in supply - including efforts by Opec producers to limit production - have been pushing oil prices higher, with weaker global economic activity, lockdowns in China and a stronger US dollar some of the factors keeping prices subdued.
James predicted a 5%-6% fall in petrol prices over the September quarter, in light of these conditions, but noted the reinstated fuel excise tax would add an extra 25c a litre.
The fuel excise was halved temporarily in the May budget to ease cost-of-living pressures and is due to be reinstated by the end of the month.
"With the reinstatement of the fuel excise, petrol prices will likely rise again over the December quarter - adding to inflation - unless global oil prices can continue to unwind," James said.
Independent MP offers qualified support for ICAC bill
Independent MP Helen Haines has welcomed the PM's announcement that he will be bringing MPs back to parliament before the budget, and has given an indication of what the government's federal ICAC bill could look like.
Appearing on the ABC's Afternoon Briefing, Haines said she supported the broad strokes of the bill but added that what she is looking for now is "the real detail" around some of the "less talked-about elements of the bill":
And that's really important aspects such as whistleblower protection, really important aspects such as statutory oversight, independent budgets. They're the elements now that we need to get right. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to formulate really robust legislation. I'm going into this in really good faith. I want this bill to be a really strong robust bill. If, for example, though, through the committee process, I don't feel satisfied that it has all it needs, then I would be seeking through the parliament, through the debating process, to make amendments. I hope that we see really strong legislation from the attorney general.
And that's really important aspects such as whistleblower protection, really important aspects such as statutory oversight, independent budgets.
They're the elements now that we need to get right. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to formulate really robust legislation.
I'm going into this in really good faith. I want this bill to be a really strong robust bill. If, for example, though, through the committee process, I don't feel satisfied that it has all it needs, then I would be seeking through the parliament, through the debating process, to make amendments. I hope that we see really strong legislation from the attorney general.
Ukraine's defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov, has taken to Twitter to thank Australia for sending a Bushmaster, or Infantry Mobility Vehicle, to help troops on the frontline.
Reznikov posted a video featuring the Bushmaster, an Australian-built military transport vehicle that can carry troops:
For the sake of protecting Freedom, it traveled half the world, from the ???? to the ????. 19,300 km across the Indian Ocean.
Sept2022.Thanks to "Bushmaster" #UAarmy came to the Oskil river & continue to liberate Kharkiv region.
Thank you to @RichardMarlesMP @AmbVasyl & all ???? people pic.twitter.com/UnI0cSbAUu
The PM just walked back on creating a Federal ICAC this year.
The 15 days off that they've given themselves is being used as the excuse.
This can't wait. Democracy can't wait. Federal ICAC now.
We can't wait until next year to vote up the independent, empowered integrity commission.
We need to bust up the decades of jobs for mates, dodgy grants and self-interested policy settings that infects federal politics.
They've made a mess of the parliamentary calendar and are now arguing that they now can't legislate a Federal ICAC.
This was a key election promise. It can't wait.
Home affairs minister flags reform of immigration laws
Home affairs minister Clare O'Neil has said Australia's immigration system is broken, and needs to be changed to adapt to a new global reality.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, O'Neil said immigration had "without a doubt been the forgotten child" of the home affairs portfolio, and indicated that immigration reform will be a priority for the Albanese government:
All the rules that we use to decide who comes in and who doesn't aren't working. The way we define skills shortages is totally broken. I think it is universally recognised that this is not serving the country's needs. I'm trying to shift the conversation to an understanding that we're now in a global war for talent. All the developed countries around the world are fighting for the same skills and capabilities and right now, Australia is not going to be a destination of choice because it takes too long, it's too expensive. And even if you make it here, you probably can't stay. We need to rethink that.
All the rules that we use to decide who comes in and who doesn't aren't working.
The way we define skills shortages is totally broken. I think it is universally recognised that this is not serving the country's needs.
I'm trying to shift the conversation to an understanding that we're now in a global war for talent.
All the developed countries around the world are fighting for the same skills and capabilities and right now, Australia is not going to be a destination of choice because it takes too long, it's too expensive. And even if you make it here, you probably can't stay. We need to rethink that.
Earlier this morning, deputy prime minister Richard Marles was asked about the Ukrainian counteroffensive, telling RN Breakfast their resistance has been "heroic":
If we wind back the clock to February of this year, I don't think anyone imagined that Ukraine would stand up in the way that they have. It has been heroic. And the news of the last few days is similar, so I don't think there's anything inevitable about the outcome. This needs ongoing support, and there is a very important principle at stake here. We need to be promoting a global rules-based order.
Journalists at Nine mastheads to strike over pay
The AAP is reporting that journalists at some of Australia's biggest newspapers are set to strike over a long-running pay dispute.
Several hundred union members at Nine mastheads The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review, WAToday and The Brisbane Times will stop work from the first newsroom shift in the early hours of Thursday for 24 hours.
Journalists are pushing for a 15.5 per cent pay rise over three years.
Nine has declined to comment, but in an all-staff meeting at noon on Monday, publishing division managing director James Chessell briefed journalists on a revised two-year offer, comprising four per cent in the first year followed by 3.5 per cent.
Journalists earning more than $170,000 per year would receive a 2.5 per cent increase each year.
"It is critical to balance the interests of the broader Nine group, the considerable cost headwinds facing publishing and the interests of staff," he said in the meeting.
The strike could stretch into a 48-hour stoppage if progress is not made, Mark Phillips from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance has confirmed.
"The ball is in management's court to make a better offer," he told AAP.
Other sticking points include automatic grading progression for junior reporters, minimum standards for freelancers and recognition of a charter of editorial independence.
In August Nine announced record profits for 2021/22 with a statutory net profit of $315 million, up 71 per cent on the previous full year.
Its publishing division, including mastheads The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, saw pre-tax earnings lift 53 per cent to $62 million.
The company also paid a record dividend to shareholders of 14 cents per share.
The results, released a fortnight ago, have hardened the resolve of union members, Phillips said.
New laws protecting journalists bring Queensland into line with other states
Queensland journalists now have some partial protections against being forced to reveal confidential sources, but not if the corruption watchdog asks.
Looks like that is being put on the agenda:
(via AAP)
Shield laws protecting Queensland journalists who refuse to name confidential sources will be extended to include the corruption watchdog.
Laws protecting journalists from identifying confidential sources came into effect in Queensland on Monday, bringing the state in line with other Australian jurisdictions.
However, the new laws fail to protect journalists who refuse to reveal sources to the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Queensland's attorney general Shannon Fentiman said consultation was under way to extend the laws to corruption watchdog proceedings by 2023.
"We know that shield laws are vital for a free, independent and robust media which supports a strong democracy for all Queenslanders and we want to make sure that Queenslanders who come forward with important but confidential information are also protected," Fentiman told reporters.
"Shield laws are complex and they must strike the right balance between a journalist's obligation to maintain the confidentiality of a source and the ability for the court to have access to all relevant information in the interests of justice."
The attorney general said debate continued on the most effective way to extend the laws.
Good afternoon, and a quick thanks to Amy Remeikis to begin with, for her expert work this morning. Mostafa Rachwani with you this afternoon, with much still going on.
Mostafa Rachwani will take you through the afternoon's news.
Thanks to everyone who joined me today. Take care.
Attorney general's interests in compliance with ministerial code of conduct
Just an update on the undertaking from the attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, last week to check his finances after he was asked in question time about holding shares in Omni Bridgeway Limited.
Dreyfus's register of interests discloses that his self-managed superannuation fund holds shares in the Greencape Wholesale Broadcap Fund, which in turn holds shares in Omni Bridgeway Limited, which bills itself as "the global leader in litigation financing and managing legal risk".
The opposition had questioned whether Dreyfus's investments were in breach of the prime minister's updated ministerial code of conduct, which requires ministers to divest themselves of shares "other than public superannuation funds or publicly listed managed funds or trust arrangements" that meet a range of conditions.
A spokesperson for Dreyfus said on Monday: "The attorney general has checked with his financial adviser, and his financial adviser has confirmed that he is fully in compliance with the code of conduct."
It is understood that Dreyfus owns no shares directly, and his self-managed super fund - Dreyfus Superannuation fund - is run by a financial adviser that invests in 17 different managed funds, which includes Greencape. Greencape in turn invests in "25 to 70 high quality stocks" which includes Omni Bridgeway.
So if you're wondering where all the wage growth is because things aren't different for you, you're not alone
Those looking for signs of a wages breakout that is fueling inflation... will have to keep looking.
The latest stats from the FWC showed EBA's in the last fortnight of July had an avge annual wage increase of 3.0%, down from 3.1% in the fortnight earlier pic.twitter.com/XylWkqP6AP
Man in critical condition after Brisbane stabbing
A man is in a critical condition after being stabbed multiple times in a gym carpark in southern Brisbane.
Police found the man in the carpark on the busy intersection of Pine Mountain and Creek roads at Mansfield, after being called out about 1pm.
"He was located with serious injuries and police are conducting investigations into what has occurred," a Queensland police service spokesperson said.
The man is in a life-threatening condition with Queensland ambulance service's critical care and high acuity response paramedics treating him.
Witnesses saw multiple people fleeing the scene in a car, Nine News reported.
(Via AAO)
The RBA has released a 'snapshot' of economic indicators.
We have released a snapshot of Key Economic Indicators - https://t.co/nondS7NxBX#rba #data #ausecon #ausbiz pic.twitter.com/P6I1yINJtu
By heading to the website, you can also compare snapshots from the past with now, to see how we are travelling
Penny Wong is meeting with Vietnam's foreign minister, Bui Thanh Son, in Canberra today.
Anthony Albanese also says he has been briefed on the voice referendum working group meeting last week:
Yes, I have been briefed. I spoke to that meeting briefly. It was convened by Linda Burney and Pat Dodson. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people around the country had already travelled to Canberra. Because of the passing of Queen Elizabeth it became an informal meeting but it went ahead. They discussed their common commitment to ensuring that Australians vote for a change to our constitution which recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Office manager sentenced for refunding scam
An office manager stole more than $300,000 over a 13-year period through a scam centred on bogus ticket refunds for Brisbane trains, AAP reports:
Tanya Denise Haddon, 54, is a former employee of Airtrain Citylink Limited, the company that operates trains from Brisbane Airport.
She devised a process whereby it appeared that customers were getting refunds, but their tickets were never cancelled, the Brisbane district court was told on Monday.
Haddon also used her employer's PayPal account to purchase items online and post them to her home address, including beauty products, books and clothing, crown prosecutor James Bishop said.
The offending began in mid 2006 and didn't end until 2020 when the bank noticed some unusual activity, totalling about $2000.
Haddon resigned and offered to pay the money back.
"To the best of your knowledge, you said there were no other transactions," Judge Orazio Rinaudo said during Monday's sentencing.
"Clearly there were."
Haddon stole a total of $330,000 from her employer, with the cash used to service debt accrued from airfares, overseas trips, clothing and restaurants, the court was told.
None of the money has been paid back, and Ms Haddon doesn't have the means to do so.
"Plainly, your conduct was a significant breach of trust ... it carried on over a lengthy period of time," Rinaudo said.
She pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud and was sentenced to five years in prison, with the term to be suspended after serving about 20 months.
And there was also this exchange in the press conference:
Q: I went as a member of the public yesterday to the proclamation of the new King and I was struck by how thin the crowd was. Do you think beyond Her Majesty dying and the reaction to that, there is a dwindling affinity for the royal family amongst the members of the public, especially here in the ACT?
Anthony Albanese:
I think, from where I was standing, there was a substantial number of people.
Q: There wasn't, it was one line deep.
Albanese:
In terms of the notice that was given, I also spoke with premier Dominic Perrottet and premier Malinauskas, who have both expressed to me the very large numbers of people who turned up in Sydney and Adelaide. Katy Gallagher:
In terms of the notice that was given, I also spoke with premier Dominic Perrottet and premier Malinauskas, who have both expressed to me the very large numbers of people who turned up in Sydney and Adelaide.
Katy Gallagher:
I can speak as Senator of the ACT. I have been inundated with Canberrans who have been approaching me and many of them deeply upset by the passing of the Queen. I think we are seeing here, what we're seeing around the country, around the Commonwealth and the UK, is people were touched by her. Canberrans feel very proud of the fact she thought here was her home away from home. I think Canberrans are in line with the rest of Australia.
National cabinet is going ahead, says PM.
Anthony Albanese:
National cabinet will go ahead on Wednesday, that will be just via video link. There will be a full national cabinet meeting on the Friday in September, which is the 30th of September here in person. That will discuss some substantial arrangements. This week's meeting, I should envision, will be relatively short to confirm some arrangements which are being put in place, including for the events that have come upon us since the last time that we met.
Lambie clarifies support for Hanson over Faruqi tweet about Queen's death
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has posted a statement after she tweeted her support for Pauline Hanson's response to Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi offering condolences to anyone who knew the Queen but saying that she (Faruqi) could not mourn the leader of the empire, given the damage it had done to First Nations people across the globe.
It is hugely offensive that the Deputy Leader of Australia's third largest political party would use the death of the Queen as an opportunity to accuse anyone who mourns it of being a racist. pic.twitter.com/yObGC531fD
Pauline right on the mark!!!
An independent review into the role of the former NSW deputy Liberal Party leader Stuart Ayres in the hiring of John Barilaro to a plum New York trade job has found he did not breach the ministerial code of conduct.
The review, conducted by prominent barrister Bruce McClintock SC, is to be released on Monday.
But in a short statement prior to its publication, the NSW premier, Dominic Perrottet, said the review had had found Ayres "complied with his obligations under the ministerial code of conduct".
Perrottet said:
On Tuesday, 9 August a recommendation was made to the Governor for Mr Bruce McClintock SC to conduct an independent legal review into whether the Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres, had complied with the ministerial code of conduct in relation to the appointment of the senior trade and investment commissioner to the Americas. Mr McClintock found that Mr Ayres complied with his obligations under the ministerial code of conduct.
On Tuesday, 9 August a recommendation was made to the Governor for Mr Bruce McClintock SC to conduct an independent legal review into whether the Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres, had complied with the ministerial code of conduct in relation to the appointment of the senior trade and investment commissioner to the Americas.
Mr McClintock found that Mr Ayres complied with his obligations under the ministerial code of conduct.
Ayres stepped aside as deputy Liberal party leader and trade minister after a separate report into the controversial trade posting raised concerns about his "interactions" with the secretary of the department, Amy Brown, during the selection process.
That report found that the hiring was not conducted "at arm's length" from the minister.
Both Ayres and Brown have denied any wrongdoing.
Perrottet has refused to say whether Ayres would be welcomed back into cabinet if he was cleared by the McClintock report.
Seems like there are some cattle rustlers operating in Tassie
Police are investigating the theft of 23 calves from a farm in north-west Tasmania.
The black and white Friesian heifer cows, around three-to-four months old, were taken from the farm in rural Forest between 27 August and 3 September.
The calves weigh about 130kg each and have orange or yellow ear tags.
Police have asked anyone with information about suspicious cattle sales or activity in the area to come forward.
- via AAP
As we mentioned earlier, King Charles III has been proclaimed the new sovereign at a ceremony at Victoria's Government House this morning.
The proclamation was jointly signed by Victoria's governor, Linda Dessau, premier, Daniel Andrews, the chief justice, the president of parliament's upper house and the speaker of the lower house.
Andrews confirmed in a statement following the ceremony that both houses of parliament will sit on Tuesday so that MPs can be sworn in under the new sovereign. This will be followed by condolence motions.
The parliament will then adjourn for one week as a mark of respect and return on 20-21 September, the final two sitting days before the state goes to the polls in November.
Victoria is the only state or territory in which MPs are constitutionally required to swear allegiance to the new monarch following their predecessor's death.
Michael McGowan has some more on the water issues plaguing Sydney's north shore:
Related: Sydney north shore residents face third day without water after main bursts
There is political consensus that a public holiday is the right thing to do, but public opinion is split.
Related: Queen public holiday: Australian business groups express concern over lost revenue and staffing disruptions
Australian stock market up about 1%
At noon on Monday the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 72.8 points to 6,967, a gain of 1.06%. The broader All Ordinaries had gained 73 points to 7,212, a 1.02% gain.
Every sector was up except healthcare, which was basically flat. The mining sector was top performer, up 2.4%.
BHP had gained 3.5% to $39.42, Fortescue Metals was up 4.1% to $18.54 and Rio Tinto had added 1.7% to $96.
Mineral Resources was up 2.4% to $73.25, and earlier had hit an all-time high of $74, following last week's reports it was considering spinning off its lithium business.
Lithium miner Pilbara was up 0.9% to $4.54, and had also this morning hit a fresh all-time peak.
In the heavyweight financial sector, all the big retail banks were up, with ANZ leading the charge with a 1.7% gain to $23.41. All the others had gained less than 1%, although investment bank Macquarie was up 1.6% to $180.61.
- via AAP
Will Australians have to wait until an Indigenous voice to parliament is realised to have their say on a republic?
Anthony Albanese:
Now you're getting into hypotheticals over hypotheticals when I have made it very clear that I will not be commenting on those issues at this point in time. I've made it clear that my position on our constitutional arrangements have not changed. The Australian Labor party's position is clear. But this is a time where Australians expect their prime minister to act in accordance with the constitutional arrangements, which are in place now.
Now you're getting into hypotheticals over hypotheticals when I have made it very clear that I will not be commenting on those issues at this point in time.
I've made it clear that my position on our constitutional arrangements have not changed. The Australian Labor party's position is clear. But this is a time where Australians expect their prime minister to act in accordance with the constitutional arrangements, which are in place now.
The prime minister is holding his press conference in Canberra.
Anthony Albanese is confirming when parliament will make up the sitting days it has missed this week after the Queen's death:
23 September - parliament will sit to hear condolence motions;
26-28 September - parliament will sit for daily business, including the national integrity commission legislation.
The race will now be on for the government to get that legislation through its committee process and the Senate.
Within that media release I've linked to below is this quote from (now) attorney general Mark Dreyfus:
Only an Albanese Labor Government can be trusted to deliver a National Anti-Corruption Commission, and we will legislate by the end of this year. Australians have seen right through Mr Morrison - they know he has no intention of cleaning up his rotten government and no interest in integrity whatsoever. We will restore trust and transparency to government - and Labor honours our promises.
Only an Albanese Labor Government can be trusted to deliver a National Anti-Corruption Commission, and we will legislate by the end of this year. Australians have seen right through Mr Morrison - they know he has no intention of cleaning up his rotten government and no interest in integrity whatsoever.
We will restore trust and transparency to government - and Labor honours our promises.
The rundown on parliament's return
So parliament will return for condolence motion speeches for the Queen on 23 September, the day after the national day of mourning.
It will then sit the next week to make up the days that were missed this week, but Anthony Albanese will miss that sitting, as he will be in Japan for Shinzo Abe's funeral, with the Australian delegation, which includes former prime ministers.
Has Albanese changed the messaging on the federal integrity commission?
Anthony Albanese said in that press conference that the commitment was to "introduce legislation by the end of the year" for an anti-corruption commission.
That's not what the Labor election platform claimed though:
An Albanese Labor Government will legislate a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission by the end of 2022.
That is also not what the media releases said, including in the headline
Labor will legislate a National Anti-Corruption Commission by the end of 2022. If elected, a National Anti-Corruption Commission will be the first priority of the Attorney-General in an Albanese Labor Government.
Anthony Albanese says the commitment Labor had is that the federal integrity commission would be "introduced"by the end of the year.
The commitment we had was [it] would be introduced this year, but I'm confident that that timetable hasn't changed.
Which seems a little cheeky, given the rhetoric during the election campaign and that the attorney general Mark Dreyfus has said he hopes to see it up and operating by mid-2023.
Labor has previously promised to legislate the commission this year and had planned to introduce the bill this week.
Labor will deliver a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission - one with teeth. And we'll do it this year. We need to restore faith in the political system. pic.twitter.com/bX9YZNWSIn
Why can't parliament sit now for the condolence motions as the UK parliament is?
Anthony Albanese:
What I have done is to not overturn those arrangements. I think that we've seen enough of breaches of protocol, and arrangements and conventions. I intend to act in accordance with the advice. . With respect, the idea that you would have question time or other activities, at this point in time - there are arrangements, which some of you have seen, where each each day is designated. For example, there's a designated day on when I leave the country, there's a designated day on when I returned from the country. There's a designated day on when the national day of mourning is arranged and so I have [followed] their arrangements that have been in place for a long period of time.
What I have done is to not overturn those arrangements. I think that we've seen enough of breaches of protocol, and arrangements and conventions. I intend to act in accordance with the advice.
. With respect, the idea that you would have question time or other activities, at this point in time - there are arrangements, which some of you have seen, where each each day is designated. For example, there's a designated day on when I leave the country, there's a designated day on when I returned from the country.
There's a designated day on when the national day of mourning is arranged and so I have [followed] their arrangements that have been in place for a long period of time.
Australia to help ensure Pacific leaders can attend Queen's funeral
Anthony Albanese says logistics are still being worked out to ensure that any Pacific leader who wishes to attend the funeral and events in the UK, can.
Those issues have been worked through by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, together with the Royal Australian Air Force.
Albanese asked why Australia's parliament suspended when UK's continues to sit
Anthony Albanese is not entertaining questions on whether Australia should consider becoming a republic.
On whether he finds it "peculiar" that Australia's parliament is suspended while the UK's parliament continues to sit, the prime minister says he is following the protocols.
Albanese:
I have followed the procedures that have been in place for a lot longer than I've been in place as prime minister. I think there is something to be said for a prime minister who follows tradition, who follows protocols and who follows order. That is something that I hope to define my prime ministership is respect for those traditions. That is what I have done. We will have a first sitting the day after the national day of mourning. My advice has been that that is the earliest possible opportunity when it could occur. And if the parliament was sitting this week to do the counterfactual, the idea that we could be debating question time as usual, that we will be having the engagement as if it was business as usual, is I believe, not correct. We will be able to have business as usual during those sitting days of the 26th to the 28th of September, and we will have an appropriate setting of the parliament where people will be able to make a contribution on the passing of Queen Elizabeth the second on that Friday.
I have followed the procedures that have been in place for a lot longer than I've been in place as prime minister.
I think there is something to be said for a prime minister who follows tradition, who follows protocols and who follows order. That is something that I hope to define my prime ministership is respect for those traditions. That is what I have done.
We will have a first sitting the day after the national day of mourning. My advice has been that that is the earliest possible opportunity when it could occur.
And if the parliament was sitting this week to do the counterfactual, the idea that we could be debating question time as usual, that we will be having the engagement as if it was business as usual, is I believe, not correct.
We will be able to have business as usual during those sitting days of the 26th to the 28th of September, and we will have an appropriate setting of the parliament where people will be able to make a contribution on the passing of Queen Elizabeth the second on that Friday.
Ukraine has seen some very significant military victories in recent days, taking back territory from invading Russian troops very quickly.
It seems like the tide is starting to turn in Russia as well.
Russian chat shows always had the "NATO shill guest" who said relatively sensible things and could then be torn down by the others.
But Boris Nadezhdin here speaking some dangerous truths, you wonder if he might simply get arrested soon. pic.twitter.com/KwF8xqaEn4
Parkes has just announced the program for the 2023 Elvis festival.
The former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack has some time on his hands now - he'll be able to dedicate even more time to his Elvis impersonation.
The new monarch is being formally declared in Victoria.
Everyone sits around while a very dry proclamation is read. Then they will swear allegiance to King Charles III so they can all, constitutionally, keep doing their jobs.
(This is only a Victorian thing - the state's constitution demands it.)
The ballroom of Victoria's Government House is packed with officials for the state's official Proclamation Ceremony for His Majesty King Charles III. The full Cabinet, former Premiers and the Chief Commissioner are among those in attendance @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/G8cSA8xemJ
Events leading up to fraudster Melissa Caddick's mysterious disappearance before her foot washed up on a New South Wales south coast beach are set to be scrutinised in an inquest.
The purported investment broker disappeared in November 2020, hours after the Australian Federal Police and Australian Securities and Investments Commission raided her Dover Heights home in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Three months later the 49-year-old's decomposing foot, encased in a running shoe, was found on Bournda Beach.
Following this discovery NSW police stated they believed she was dead. But other theories circulating include her escaping undetected and living somewhere without one foot.
These theories will be tested at a two-week inquest into the conwoman's disappearance, due to begin on Monday before Deputy State Coroner Elizabeth Ryan.
It is believed about 74 victims lost at least $23 million through Ms Caddick's Ponzi scheme, over which she was set to face a string of charges.
They believed she would invest those funds on their behalf and she created fake documents to suggest she had done so, but instead used the money on her own lavish lifestyle.
Her multimillion-dollar home is being liquidated along with other valuables including two luxury cars, jewellery and designer clothes, to compensate victims.
But her parents, who say they were also scammed by their daughter, are fighting in the Federal Court against the repossession of an Edgecliff property they reside in.
- via AAP
SA poised to pass bill that makes privatisation of state assets harder
The South Australian parliament looks like it will pass legislation to make privatising state assets a little harder.
The Greens introduced it to the state parliament, but it passed the upper house with the Labor government support. Given the government voted for it in the upper chamber, it looks set to pass the lower one too.
AAP reports the legislation "prevents the sale or disposal of state assets without consideration of parliament's Economic and Finance Committee and the approval of both houses of parliament".
Key assets covered by the bill include the South Australian Water Corporation, HomeStart Finance, the Motor Accident Commission, the South Australian Forestry Corporation and the Return to Work Corporation.
The bill is expected to be debated in the SA lower house when parliament resumes in October.
AAP has a story on a very sad anniversary:
It has been eight years since three-year-old William Tyrrell went missing at his foster grandmother's home on the New South Wales mid-north coast.
But police have not given up on finding out what happened to the boy, who was wearing a Spider-Man suit.
Strike Force Rosann detectives are continuing to prepare a brief for the coroner to determine what happened to William who vanished on 12 September 2014.
"Every effort is - and should be - channelled toward finding William Tyrrell," NSW Det Supt Danny Doherty said in a statement on Monday.
"Our investigation is very much active and ongoing," the police homicide squad commander said.
"Various activities, including those under coronial orders, are being undertaken every day."
Police are working with a large volume of information and methodically exploring and exhausting every line of inquiry.
"This is all for William, and if it takes time and effort to get it right, it's worth it," he said.
In December 2020, a highly publicised month-long search for the possible remains of the missing toddler concluded without any apparent breakthroughs.
Police dug up the garden at his foster grandmother's former Kendall property, where he disappeared.
They examined a concrete slab laid after that time, drained a nearby creek and sifted through soil in bushland and around the home.
Heavy rainfall at times thwarted the probe, which involved divers, mechanical diggers and dozens of police.
The $1m reward for information leading to the recovery of William and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remains in place.
Anthony Albanese has called a press conference for 11.40am today.
People and businesses without water in Sydney's north
I was unaware of this until I saw it on Twitter - but it seems like there are some pretty big water issues going on in Sydney at the moment:
Sydney Water crews are onsite at Epping Rd, Lane Cove where a break in the water main has been identified.
Network technicians are working to isolate the main which is taking some time due to the location and complexity of the break.
Up to 200 businesses and residents have experienced a loss of water or lower than normal pressure during this time, including customers in: Artarmon, Chatswood, Cremorne, Greenwich, Lane Cove, Lane Cove North, Lane Cove West, Neutral Bay, North Sydney, Waverton, Wollstonecraft.
Sydney Water is implementing alternative solutions to help boost water pressure across the zone and restore supply.
"We understand there has been a delay in rectifying the issue, but we are committed to finding a solution as quickly as we can in order to restore services to impacted properties.
"We acknowledge the impact this has had on our customers. We thank you for your patience and apologise for the inconvenience caused."
Emissions reduction not political, but how we do it is, Simon Birmingham says
The monarch is supposed to be politically neutral (there was that whole Cromwell thing that made it pretty clear) which has raised questions over how King Charles will handle his climate advocacy.
There are questions over whether climate advocacy even is political, given that it's based in scientific fact (and we turned it political).
Opposition senator Simon Birmingham was asked on ABC radio what he thought about it all:
Supporting the general action that occurs to reduce emissions, to have a lighter footprint upon our environment anyway is not something that I see as particularly political, politically controversial. However, how that is done when governments start to enact different policies that can have an impact on businesses, on jobs, on economies, obviously, as we've seen in this country and many others have seen, too, they become politically controversial questions. And so that's where I say the new king, no doubt, will support community oriented measures that help to reduce emissions, that demonstrate a community drive for action on climate change and that sense of environmental sustainability. But I don't see him weighing into the politics of how governments enact different pieces of legislation that may reduce emissions. And that's the type of sensitive points of difference that he's able to navigate, I'm sure.
Supporting the general action that occurs to reduce emissions, to have a lighter footprint upon our environment anyway is not something that I see as particularly political, politically controversial. However, how that is done when governments start to enact different policies that can have an impact on businesses, on jobs, on economies, obviously, as we've seen in this country and many others have seen, too, they become politically controversial questions.
And so that's where I say the new king, no doubt, will support community oriented measures that help to reduce emissions, that demonstrate a community drive for action on climate change and that sense of environmental sustainability. But I don't see him weighing into the politics of how governments enact different pieces of legislation that may reduce emissions. And that's the type of sensitive points of difference that he's able to navigate, I'm sure.
Westpac passes on 0.5% interest rate rise
It got missed in all that happened last week, but all the major banks announced they were passing on the RBA's 0.5% cash rate rise - except Westpac.
Today, Westpac announced it is also passing on the interest rate rise, so that completes the big four.
This is true.
PM Albanese says the four sitting days will be picked up before the 25 October budget.#auspol
But at least one of these days will be taken up with condolence motion speeches for the Queen.
Another reminder that not everything is felt equally.
AAP reports that the Covid-19 pandemic has made it more challenging for young disadvantaged Australians to secure work or study after high school, a new survey has found.
The Smith Family surveyed 1,500 young people who finished year 12 in 2020 and were experiencing disadvantage.
Three in four young people went into work or study in their first year after high school, the survey released on Monday showed.
Just over half of the participants complete 35 hours of work or study each week, while 39% said they wanted to work more hours.
Covid-19 was identified as a major challenge during the participants' final year of school and the year after.
"Covid has exacerbated the employment challenges facing young people, who are more vulnerable to entering the labour market in times of uncertainty," The Smith Family's head of research and advocacy, Anne Hampshire, said.
"These challenges are particularly acute for young people experiencing disadvantage."
Young people experiencing disadvantage wanted more access to comprehensive and personalised career advice, mentors, and internships, the survey found.
The survey results should prompt schools, businesses and organisations to better support this cohort in their lives after high school, Hampshire said.
Supporting young people experiencing disadvantage to make positive post-school transitions is critical for their longer-term life outcomes and the contribution they can make to Australia's economic and social wellbeing. We all benefit from this. With the right, targeted support, we can help all young people to thrive post school.
Supporting young people experiencing disadvantage to make positive post-school transitions is critical for their longer-term life outcomes and the contribution they can make to Australia's economic and social wellbeing.
We all benefit from this. With the right, targeted support, we can help all young people to thrive post school.
Over on Sky News, Anthony Albanese says the decision on who will be the Australian high commissioner to the UK has been made, but won't be announced as yet:
Well that decision will be announced in the fullness of time. It wouldn't be appropriate to announce it at the moment. The focus right now is very much on paying tribute for the 70 years of loyal service that Queen Elizabeth gave Australia as our head of state. And also yesterday, of course, the proclamation of King Charles III as Australia's new head of state. So it's a very historic day here in Australia, as well as in the United Kingdom and in commonwealth nations around the world.
Women's Climate Congress is holding a conference in Canberra
. #women are meeting at Albert Hall #Canberra for 2nd day #Climate #Renewal conference hosted by @eraaustralia member @WomensClimateC1.@Rubenstein_Kim1 reminds us that it's an auspicious venue as Albert Hall is where the first ever Aust citizenship ceremony took place in 1949. pic.twitter.com/2cnVp0Xt8v
Carlos Alcaraz wins first grand slam at age 19
You can read more on Carlos Alcaraz's historic victory here:
Having spent much of the past few years breaking age records, he will now take the most impressive one of them of all, one that could stand for a long time. Alcaraz will rise to world No 1 on Monday for the first time in his career, making him the youngest player to achieve the feat in ATP history. At just 19 years and four months, the Spaniard is the first teenage No 1 the men's game has ever had, more than a year younger than the previous record holder, Lleyton Hewitt.
Related: Carlos Alcaraz beats Casper Ruud in US Open final to win first grand slam at age of 19
Dangerous climate tipping points may already have been passed
Then there is also this from last week, published on the day the Queen's death was announced, which also deserves your attention.
Related: World on brink of five 'disastrous' climate tipping points, study finds
Some reasons for hope on the climate crisis
While we are on the issue of climate (which is something we should always be on) this from Adam Morton is well worth your time - why it is not all doom and gloom.
Related: Reasons for (cautious) optimism: the good news on the climate crisis
Scientists gather in Adelaide to tackle pollution
Scientists have gathered in South Australia's capital to try and solve some environmental issues affecting the world - including forever chemicals, like poly-fluoroalkyl substances, AAP reports.
More than 500 scientists have gathered in Adelaide to advance efforts to tackle some of the world's biggest contamination problems.
The International CleanUp Conference will focus on the many forms of pollution that affect environmental and human health, from air and water pollution to microplastics and growing global concern about Pfas.
Pfas is shorthand for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, often referred to as forever chemicals because they don't readily break down and accumulate in the environment and the bodies of animals and humans.
Much of the conference will be devoted to the Pfas problem, with countries worldwide grappling with what to do with chemicals that are so persistent, they've been found in rainwater and snow in the most remote parts of the world.
The Australian government is about to release the third draft of its national plan to manage Pfas, but so far few details are known about how regulations might be tightened.
Experts say the existing framework based on management at the state level must change and a stronger, national system is needed.
Pfas contamination has occurred at defence sites across Australia due to the historical use of firefighting foams that contained the chemical.
Pfas ends up in wastewater treatment plants, which reuse solids from the treatment process as fertiliser for Australian farms.
The new national plan for Pfas could include new limits on Pfas in material bound for reuse in agricultural settings.
The conference has evolved from the work of Australia's cooperative research centre for contamination assessment and remediation of the environment.
The centre's managing director, Prof Ravi Naidu, said the silence that once hindered efforts to address environmental contamination was changing.
The sector has grown in maturity and acceptance of the problem. In the 1990s, the industry sector was aware that contamination was a problem, but generally didn't address it or even talk about it for fear of alarming people and pressuring decision-makers. Today, the impacts of contamination on the environment, human health and property values, and on society more generally, are openly discussed.
The sector has grown in maturity and acceptance of the problem.
In the 1990s, the industry sector was aware that contamination was a problem, but generally didn't address it or even talk about it for fear of alarming people and pressuring decision-makers.
Today, the impacts of contamination on the environment, human health and property values, and on society more generally, are openly discussed.
Naidu said this had led to increased efforts to prevent further contamination and greater investment in solutions.
The conference continues until Thursday.
Carlos Alcaraz has become the youngest world number one after winning the US Open.
Alcaraz is 19 years old. He beat Casper Ruud in four sets to take the title and the number one spot.
Related: Carlos Alcaraz beats Casper Ruud: US Open tennis 2022 men's final - live!
Victoria to hold proclamation ceremony for King Charles today
A Victorian proclamation ceremony will be held from 11am, so the lieutenant governor, chief justice and other senior officer holders can swear oaths to the new King.
A quirk of the Victorian constitution means senior office holders and MPs have to swear new oaths. They are the only ones in Australia who need to do so.
Covid reporting has moved to weekly updates
Just a reminder that covid numbers reporting has moved to weekly as of last Friday. It was a national cabinet decision agreed to by the state and territory leaders. So there will be no more daily updates.
Head of parliamentary security and intelligence committee travels to US
Peter Khalil said he'll be attending meetings in Washington to talk all things security and intelligence:
On Monday 12 September I will depart to the United States for a series of meetings in Washington D.C. I will be meeting with senior Biden administration, intelligence and security officials as well members of the US Senate and House of Representatives. I look forward to productive discussions focused on the many issues of common interest for Australia and the US including countering foreign interference, strengthening our cyber security and our ongoing work to secure a stable, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
On Monday 12 September I will depart to the United States for a series of meetings in Washington D.C.
I will be meeting with senior Biden administration, intelligence and security officials as well members of the US Senate and House of Representatives.
I look forward to productive discussions focused on the many issues of common interest for Australia and the US including countering foreign interference, strengthening our cyber security and our ongoing work to secure a stable, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Australia's high commissioner to the UK meets with King Charles
Australia's acting high commissioner to the UK Lynette Wood has had an audience with King Charles III.
Australia's acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Lynette Wood, has addressed the media after an audience with King Charles III. pic.twitter.com/n9U8cawjr6
Australia hasn't appointed a permanent ambassador as yet.
Richard Marles says "it should go to the best person for the job" after "a proper, thorough and robust process".
But that does not mean it won't go to a former politician. Former SA premier Jay Weatherill had been considered a frontrunner for the job, but he has ruled himself out in recent weeks.
Marles says politicians "from both sides" have done good jobs as ambassadors and high commissioners, so he is not ruling out that it won't go to a former MP, but he says any appointment will be made through the proper processes:
Really what matters is we have the best possible person for the job, who can advance Australia's interests in the best possible way, and that certainly needs a thorough and robust process to choose that person.
Given there was only 19 sitting days in the house and 15 sitting senate sitting days until the end of the year before parliament was suspended for this week, will the government be able to get everything done it said it wanted to get done, before the end of the year?
Particularly, the national anti-corruption commission bill, which was promised to be passed before the end of the year.
Anthony Albanese says the parliament will make up the days (the senate sets its own schedule but no one can see it not agreeing to come back) and the plan is for those days to be held before the October 25 budget.
But given the federal integrity commission bill is going before a committee, and has to get through the senate, as well as potential amendments from independents and the crossbench in both houses, it's cutting it fine.
Richard Marles told ABC RN Breakfast he was "confident" they could get it done:
I think the decision to not have parliamentary debate - the kind of partisan contest which goes with parliament happening at a time when really there is a sense of mourning around the nation is an appropriate decision to make and we'll be able to make up those days and make sure that we get the legislative agenda back on track. All the commitments that we've made about the timing that we have been respectable of our policies, including that, we're confident that we will be able to make up. But part of that is obviously needed to ensure that we do find the four days and both senate and the house that we are losing as a result of the decision that's been made about this week, but we will find those days.
I think the decision to not have parliamentary debate - the kind of partisan contest which goes with parliament happening at a time when really there is a sense of mourning around the nation is an appropriate decision to make and we'll be able to make up those days and make sure that we get the legislative agenda back on track.
All the commitments that we've made about the timing that we have been respectable of our policies, including that, we're confident that we will be able to make up. But part of that is obviously needed to ensure that we do find the four days and both senate and the house that we are losing as a result of the decision that's been made about this week, but we will find those days.
Australia's process of transition should be reviewed after mourning period, Birmingham says
On ABC RN, opposition senator Simon Birmingham said there will be time to "re-visit" all of the protocols which have surrounded the Queen's death, once the mourning period has passed.
There have always been views, now though is a time for respect, for reflection, but with that reflection comes as I say, no doubt, we have a new King and with that, after a period like this, the UK system, the Australian system, all will have a look back at what has occurred through this period of transition, this period of mourning, and that will all feed into what occurs in the future and that of course is the way these things should be. Now is the time, I think rightfully, nearly all politicians and public leaders are avoiding debate controversy or otherwise and that is as it should be too but no doubt, these things will be assessed in the proper process that should occur calmly, quite after the fact.
There have always been views, now though is a time for respect, for reflection, but with that reflection comes as I say, no doubt, we have a new King and with that, after a period like this, the UK system, the Australian system, all will have a look back at what has occurred through this period of transition, this period of mourning, and that will all feed into what occurs in the future and that of course is the way these things should be.
Now is the time, I think rightfully, nearly all politicians and public leaders are avoiding debate controversy or otherwise and that is as it should be too but no doubt, these things will be assessed in the proper process that should occur calmly, quite after the fact.
The prime minister also won't say whether or not his government would begin exploring whether the public wants Australia to become a republic if his government was re-elected (he had already ruled it out during the election for the first term)
Well, that's not for answering now at this point in time. I made it clear before the last election what our intention was during this term. That is the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people in our constitution. I said at the time I couldn't envisage a circumstance where we changed our head of state to an Australian head of state but still didn't recognise First Nations people in our constitution. And the fact that we live with the oldest continuous culture on earth. So that's our priorities this term. I made that very clear before the election.
Well, that's not for answering now at this point in time. I made it clear before the last election what our intention was during this term. That is the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people in our constitution.
I said at the time I couldn't envisage a circumstance where we changed our head of state to an Australian head of state but still didn't recognise First Nations people in our constitution. And the fact that we live with the oldest continuous culture on earth. So that's our priorities this term. I made that very clear before the election.
PM says he will travel to UK with governor general as planned
Asked about this Politico story on the Queen's funeral logistics, which starts off with this:
Foreign heads of state and their spouses heading to London for the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II have been asked to arrive in the UK on commercial flights and banned from using helicopters to get around. World leaders have also been told they cannot use their own state cars to attend the funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19 - and will instead be bussed in en masse from a site in west London. "Can you imagine Joe Biden on the bus?" one foreign ambassador based in London complained via WhatsApp message early Sunday.
Foreign heads of state and their spouses heading to London for the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II have been asked to arrive in the UK on commercial flights and banned from using helicopters to get around.
World leaders have also been told they cannot use their own state cars to attend the funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19 - and will instead be bussed in en masse from a site in west London.
"Can you imagine Joe Biden on the bus?" one foreign ambassador based in London complained via WhatsApp message early Sunday.
Anthony Albanese tells the ABC he will be travelling this Thursday as planned (the plan was the RAF VIP jet, with other air force plans being made available to Pacific leaders if they wish to attend).
I will travel this Thursday night from Australia. Those plans have been in place for a long period of time. Since well before I became prime minister. I don't know how many prime ministers ago the plans were put in place. But they're long standing plans for myself and the governor general to travel to London and we'll be doing so on Thursday night. We're also making arrangements for Pacific leaders who are attached to the commonwealth to be given the support to be able to travel as well.
Parliament will make up missed sitting days, PM says
Over on the ABC, Anthony Albanese is asked whether or not parliament will make up the days it is missing this week before budget week (the budget is due to be handed down on 25 October).
Yes. That's the intention, to pick up those four days that parliament would have been sitting. Tradition, I know, sometimes can be inconvenient. But traditions are important. Traditions and protocols are one of the things that bind us together. And I do think that 22 September can be a moment that brings our nation together. That is certainly the intention that I have and that I know the leader of the opposition has expressed his support for it being the national day of mourning and for a public holiday as well. This is something that is above politics. This is about a nation giving thanks.
Yes. That's the intention, to pick up those four days that parliament would have been sitting.
Tradition, I know, sometimes can be inconvenient. But traditions are important.
Traditions and protocols are one of the things that bind us together.
And I do think that 22 September can be a moment that brings our nation together.
That is certainly the intention that I have and that I know the leader of the opposition has expressed his support for it being the national day of mourning and for a public holiday as well. This is something that is above politics.
This is about a nation giving thanks.
What's happening with the national public holiday?
There are a lot of questions about this one-off public holiday which has been called for 22 September - will businesses have to pay penalty rates? What is going to be closed?
Anthony Albanese told the Seven network that is still being worked out:
Those issues will be worked through with the states and territories. I have written to the premiers and chief ministers yesterday but I spoke to them personally on Saturday. Of course, things do open, essential services do open on public holidays and it is the case that penalty rates apply on public holidays. This is a one-off occasion, this is historic, yourself and Kochie have made the trip to London as have other media outlets. We will have other Australians, of course, making their way to London as well but Australians as well, observing the loss of Queen Elizabeth in their own way around towns and cities right around our great nation. The national day of mourning provides an opportunity for local government, for example, to organise events in their local communities, because one of the things about the Queen is that on her first visit, she was here for almost 60 days, and visited almost 60 cities and towns during that period. She was someone who didn't just go to Sydney and Melbourne, she went to regional communities, remote communities, and had engagement with them and that's why I think it is appropriate that local communities organise commemorative events as well as the national memorial service that will take place at 11am on Thursday 22.
Those issues will be worked through with the states and territories. I have written to the premiers and chief ministers yesterday but I spoke to them personally on Saturday.
Of course, things do open, essential services do open on public holidays and it is the case that penalty rates apply on public holidays.
This is a one-off occasion, this is historic, yourself and Kochie have made the trip to London as have other media outlets.
We will have other Australians, of course, making their way to London as well but Australians as well, observing the loss of Queen Elizabeth in their own way around towns and cities right around our great nation.
The national day of mourning provides an opportunity for local government, for example, to organise events in their local communities, because one of the things about the Queen is that on her first visit, she was here for almost 60 days, and visited almost 60 cities and towns during that period.
She was someone who didn't just go to Sydney and Melbourne, she went to regional communities, remote communities, and had engagement with them and that's why I think it is appropriate that local communities organise commemorative events as well as the national memorial service that will take place at 11am on Thursday 22.
Rising Covid deaths in aged care needs scrutiny, Rebekha Sharkie says
The federal government should be scrutinised more over the rising number of covid deaths in aged care, independent MP Rebekha Sharkie says.
AAP reports the Mayo MP wants to know why the deaths in the aged care sector are now being ignored:
More than 3,000 Australians have died with Covid-19 in aged care facilities this year, which is almost triple the number of deaths in the first two years of the pandemic.
The aged care death toll has also risen by 36% since the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, was elected in May, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sunday. The federal government should be facing more questions about the spike, Sharkie said.
If we look back at the last parliament, there were questions asked every day of the aged care minister. While we haven't sat many weeks this year, we're just not seeing the scrutiny. I think that it's imperative upon every member of parliament, including myself, to hold the government to account with respect to this.
The government should tell the public how centres are being supported through repeated Covid-19 outbreaks and what is being done around ventilation and staffing numbers, Sharkie said.
Covid has not ended. The pandemic is still with us. It's deeply concerning, deeply disturbing, that we've lost 3,000 people this year in aged care facilities. If that was last year, it would have been on the front of every newspaper, every day.
Covid has not ended. The pandemic is still with us. It's deeply concerning, deeply disturbing, that we've lost 3,000 people this year in aged care facilities.
If that was last year, it would have been on the front of every newspaper, every day.
David Pocock, who has found himself as part of the balance of power in the senate since his election, will be the subject of Australian Story this evening.
The former rugby star outlines what made him decide to enter politics and how he is settling in.
Welcome to your Australia live blog for Monday 12 September, where we will cover all the news of the day.
Of course that includes what is happening in the UK at the moment as the protocols around the Queen's death continue to play out.
US site Politico has a story on the funeral preparations and how tight space may mean world leaders will not be able to take their own private cars to the funeral - which would mean Joe Biden would have to leave the "Beast" (what they call his bullet proof presidential car) and "park and ride" on a bus with a bunch of other world leaders.
??SCOOP: Foreign heads of state and their spouses heading to London for the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II have been asked to arrive in the U.K. on commercial flights and banned from using helicopters to get around.https://t.co/HsalMjw24t
We've asked what that means for Australia and whether or not Anthony Albanese and the governor general, David Hurley, will be attending the funeral, given the Politico report references limited numbers.
Meanwhile, the opposition's Simon Birmingham has backed-in the decision to hold a public holiday on the national day of mourning, despite the limited notice upsetting people, who will have to cancel long held appointments, plans such as school formals and lose a day of work. (The public holiday is set for next Thursday.)
Parliament won't resume until after the public holiday, but there is also Shinzo Abe's funeral and school holidays, which means it won't be back until October. Albanese has said the house will make up the days (the senate sets its own schedule but we can't see it not agreeing to do the same) but depending on when that extra sitting is, the government may not be able to meet its promise to pass the anti-corruption bill by the end of the year.
Independents, such as Allegra Spender, who wants the commission head appointed entirely independently, want to do what they can to make the legislation as strong as possible - and the Greens have ideas - and numbers in the senate the government needs - which means the bills passage won't necessarily be smooth. Plus, a joint-committee will be looking at it, and so passage will depend on how quick that committee reports back.
Richard Marles, the deputy prime minister, has told ABC Radio RN that he thinks the government can still get it done:
"All the commitments we have made about the timing we have in respect to all our policies, we're confident we'll be able to make up," he said.
."We'll be looking to find those four additional days and we'll have more to say about that in coming days but we're confident we can do that."
Related: Parliament suspension puts Albanese anti-corruption watchdog election promise in doubt
We'll be following all the news today, so thank you for joining us. Let's get into it (by it, I mean coffee, a lot of coffee, but also the news).