Australia news live: Asio chief unaware Morrison was secret home affairs minister and this was ‘dangerous for the country’, new minister says

Asio chief did not know of Morrison’s home affairs powers, O’Neil says

The former prime minister Scott Morrison has insisted that he didn’t use his secret powers as home affairs minister and overrule Karen Andrews.

But when the current home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil was asked on ABC Radio if she was confident the PM didn’t make any decisions as home affairs minister, she responded:

I do not know the answer to that question.

O’Neil says the secretary of the home affairs department and the chief of Asio did not know Morrison was the minister for home affairs at the time. She implied the gravity of this means Morrison should resign:

If you don’t understand how vulnerable that made us, you should not be in parliament.

There is a reason we have accountable government because we need Australians to be able to point to the person who exercises power on their behalf and hold them responsible for decisions they make.

The director general of security Mike Burgess, who leads Australia’s intelligence agency Asio Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Asked if she is investigating if any decisions were made with the ministerial power, O’Neil says the current government are constrained “because it’s the convention that the former government’s decisions aren’t meant to be examined by the new government”.

This is very complicated, very difficult and it is far from apparent that no one has broken the law here.

Whatever happens with Scott Morrison ,we need to understand how this occurred, so it can’t happened again.

Updated at 18.43 EDT

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Rail workers strike reduces trains in NSW

NSW commuters are experiencing more delays on Sydney’s rail network this morning as the union takes more industrial action.

Today strike includes the Bankstown, East Hills and Southern lines in south western Sydney, but Transport for NSW said other lines will also be affected.

Transport for NSW said in a statement:

A heavily reduced service will run on the T2 Inner West & Leppington, T3 Bankstown, T8 Airport & South, and the Southern Highlands lines as a result of industrial action by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.

The T4 Eastern and Illawarra line was impacted by a similar strike last week.

Workers are going on six-hour strikes based on the area where they typically work, but the union is allowing the government to take workers from other areas to run a reduced capacity service.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has been taking escalating industrial action throughout August, in response to their safety concerns about a new intercity fleet.

The union says the design means that train drivers will not be able to adequately monitor safety on platforms. The NSW government offered to spend over $260 million to address those safety concerns in June, but the agreement between the union and the state government is the point of contention.

Alex Claassens, the secretary of the rail train and bus union, told ABC Breakfast News:

Unless they sign a deed that does what we needed to do, that is fix the unsafe train, then, you know, industrial action will continue through to the end of the month. We have notified actions on our website for the world to see and next week there will be two days, Tuesday and Thursday where we take different sections of the network out.

– with AAP

Updated at 19.28 EDT

NSW records 26 Covid deaths

New South Wales has recorded 26 Covid deaths and 8,064 new cases in the latest reporting period, with 2,115 people in hospital and 52 in intensive care.

Updated at 19.20 EDT

Fog ‘as thick as pea soup’ around the Riverina

Or at least that’s the forecast from local member Michael McCormack in southern NSW.

Updated at 19.07 EDT

Howard maintains praise for Morrison’s leadership

Patricia Karvelas has now turned to Howard’s new book, A Sense of Balance, which was of course written before the revelations about Morrison’s secret ministerial appointments.

In the book, Howard praises Morrison for holding the Liberal party together after the turbulence of the Abbott/Turnbull years.

When Karvelas asks Howard if his assessment of Morrison’s leadership still holds in light of the recent news, Howard says:

What matters is how policies of Morrison government protected the Australian people.

Howard says he has not spoken to Morrison since the revelations came to light with the most recent time they met was “lunch with him a couple weeks ago”.

Howard says his talk with Josh Frydenberg yesterday did reveal that the former treasurer was interested in returning to politics, although he was enjoying his new role at Goldman Sachs.

Howard would not comment whether it would be appropriate for Frydenberg to contest the seat of Cook in a by-election if Morrison was to resign.

Updated at 19.14 EDT

‘Not some kind of constitutional crisis’: John Howard on Morrison

The former prime minister John Howard is appearing on ABC Radio ahead of his new book, A Sense of Balance. But of course, he is first asked about the revelations of Scott Morrison’s secret appointment to five additional ministries.

Howard spoke to the former treasurer Josh Frydenberg yesterday and said he believes it’s an exaggeration to say Frydenberg is livid.

He’s said Morrison’s actions were “unusual” and “unwise to have kept it secret” but echoed Barnaby Joyce’s defence that what Morrison did was not illegal.

Howard can’t help but spruik his book, saying some of the responses have been “over the top” and there is a need to keep “a sense of balance in our responses”.

He says the actions are “not some kind of constitutional crisis”.

John Howard has called for a ‘sense of balance’ over Scott Morrison’s many ministries. That’s also the name of his book. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated at 19.02 EDT

Victoria records 15 Covid deaths

Victoria has recorded 15 Covid deaths and 4,732 new cases in the latest reporting period, with 518 people in hospital and 29 in intensive care.

Updated at 18.49 EDT

20,000 new university places to target skills shortages

An additional 20,000 university places will target areas of skills shortage such as education, health, engineering and technology. The places will also give more students from under-represented backgrounds the chance to go to university.

The Albanese government has revealed how it will deliver on its election commitment – the extra will be allocated over two years from the start of 2023, with an investment of up to $485.5m over the next four years.

Higher education providers will competitively bid for allocations of places, and application processes will open this month for both the 2023 and 2024 academic years.

Providers will also be required to allocate them to people from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, rural and remote areas, First Nations people, first-in-family and people with a disability.

The treasurer Jim Chalmers said in a statement the policy will make the economy more productive:

Australia needs more skilled workers. How we prepare Australians for the jobs our economy needs will be a focus at the Jobs and Skills Summit next month.

Investing in more university places in industries where we need skilled workers will help to make our economy more productive. This policy will also ensure more Australians have the skills they need to get sustainable, well-paid jobs into the future.

Updated at 18.48 EDT

Asio chief did not know of Morrison’s home affairs powers, O’Neil says

The former prime minister Scott Morrison has insisted that he didn’t use his secret powers as home affairs minister and overrule Karen Andrews.

But when the current home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil was asked on ABC Radio if she was confident the PM didn’t make any decisions as home affairs minister, she responded:

I do not know the answer to that question.

O’Neil says the secretary of the home affairs department and the chief of Asio did not know Morrison was the minister for home affairs at the time. She implied the gravity of this means Morrison should resign:

If you don’t understand how vulnerable that made us, you should not be in parliament.

There is a reason we have accountable government because we need Australians to be able to point to the person who exercises power on their behalf and hold them responsible for decisions they make.

The director general of security Mike Burgess, who leads Australia’s intelligence agency Asio Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Asked if she is investigating if any decisions were made with the ministerial power, O’Neil says the current government are constrained “because it’s the convention that the former government’s decisions aren’t meant to be examined by the new government”.

This is very complicated, very difficult and it is far from apparent that no one has broken the law here.

Whatever happens with Scott Morrison ,we need to understand how this occurred, so it can’t happened again.

Updated at 18.43 EDT

Joyce compares Morrison’s secret appointments to Albanese’s trip to Quad meeting

Also in his interview with ABC radio, Barnaby Joyce tried to compare Scott Morrison secretly swearing himself in to five different portfolios to Anthony Albanese wanting to leave for the Japan Quad meeting after the election and potentially leaving Australia without a prime minister. Which is something that didn’t happen. But Joyce tries to draw the line that didn’t happen and something that did happen is the same.

He also doesn’t think Morrison should be scrutinised by the parliamentary privileges committee because – well, it’s best to let him explain why.

On what basis? You know and remember whatever the Labor party does here, things go around, whatever they do here is the rule that they will be judged by themselves.

So if it’s wrong, it’s illegal, sure, but he’s gonna say, well, this is politically opportunistic. Well, you’re opening a real can of works because the time inevitably comes and I’ve been around this game a long time. So very, very careful, what you say in government will happen to you in opposition.

… What I’m saying is, if your concern is something that you find uncomfortable, or you find that is, other people might say is improper, but it’s not illegal. You say this is now the mark. I feel uncomfortable about it. If I feel it is grating, then that is an issue that it moves towards (censuring) someone in the parliament. That is another thing I don’t agree with.

Updated at 18.27 EDT

Victorian opposition will scrap the suburban rail loop if elected

Victorian opposition will scrap the suburban rail loop if elected

Victoria’s opposition have pledged to scrap the suburban rail loop, described as the biggest transport project in the state’s history, with “every cent” of the $34.5bn saved to be invested in the health system if elected in November.

The commitment, made 101 days before voters go to the polls, sets the stage for another election turned referendum on infrastructure.

The opposition leader, Matthew Guy, said in a statement today:

This November, Victorians face a clear choice. A choice between immediately rebuilding Victoria’s broken health system, or a train line in 13 years’ time.

As premier, my first priority will be to fix the health crisis.

Our plan is about returning confidence for Victorians. Confidence that an ambulance will arrive, an emergency call will be answered and critical healthcare will be available when needed.

‘A choice between immediately rebuilding Victoria’s broken health system, or a train line in 13 years’ time’: Matthew Guy Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

Updated at 18.33 EDT

‘It’s not illegal’: Joyce compares Morrison’s actions to painting a car pink with green spots

Circling back to that Barnaby Joyce interview …

Joyce is doubling down on how what Scott Morrison did was not illegal and therefore “insert the verbal equivalent of a shrug here”.

Joyce says:

So I think he himself, in reflecting on it, he has to come to the opinion that it probably wasn’t a good move. And, and on that issue, I agree with him.

But Joyce does not believe Morrison should have to quit.

If he did do something illegal, if he received some form of pecuniary benefit, if someone closely related to you get some for of pecuniary benefit, they failed to disclose, then yeah, you can pack up your bongos and get out of there.

But if something is legal, and you complied with the law even though people might not agree with that mightn’t be basically customary, or, as you would say, something you’ve done it in a way that’s annoying, you’ve done it in a way that has got people off side, but it’s not illegal. It’s not illegal.

That’s why we have laws, that’s why we have laws. We don’t arrest people on the road because they’re annoying, we arrest them if they break the law.

If someone says I am going to paint my car pink with lime green spots, it’s very annoying, but it’s not against the law.

Updated at 18.23 EDT

‘Dangerous for the country’: O’Neil on two home affairs ministers

The home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, said the fact that the head of Asio didn’t know there were two ministers for home affairs was “dangerous for the country”.

O’Neill cites the recent example this weekend of the shooting at Canberra airport required the minister to make a decision, and if there had been two home affairs ministers they could have had two different views on what action should have been taken.

She says there are issues of who would own legal responsibility for decisions made if there were two people sworn into the ministry.

She likens Morrison to a “despot” accumulating the additional ministries.

Clare O’Neil called Morrison’s secret appointments an ‘unprecedented violation of our democracy’. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Updated at 18.38 EDT

‘Stop playing this down’: home affairs minister chides Dutton and Joyce

Clare O’Neil, the home affairs minister, has followed Barnaby Joyce on ABC Radio.

She’s come out guns firing, calling the previous interview with Joyce “unbelievable”.

“Stop playing this down,” O’Neil says to Peter Dutton and Barnaby Joyce.

She says this is not a “run of the mill scandal … That is not what has happened here.” It is, she says, an “unprecedented violation of our democracy”.

Updated at 18.09 EDT

What did Barnaby Joyce know as Morrison’s deputy?

Barnaby Joyce is speaking to ABC Radio National host Patricia Karvelas about what he knew, when, about Scott Morrison’s extra roles, given he was deputy prime minister (for a while at least) in the Morrison government.

Joyce is trying to both sides it. He didn’t know, he says – other than resources – but it wasn’t illegal, so he doesn’t believe Morrison should have to go.

“And it was in a form of, you know, he has the authority,” Joyce says of knowing about Morrison and resources.

But once more I’d say to you and your listeners, there’s nothing illegal about it. Improper. Well, that’s a question take up with Mr Morrison. But illegal, No. Barnaby Joyce and Scott Morrison during the 2022 election campaign. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Updated at 18.08 EDT

‘Remarkable’ Morrison didn’t tell Frydenberg he’d sworn himself into treasury, PM says

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has been on Brisbane’s 4BC radio this morning. No new massive revelations about additional secret ministries Scott Morrison may have assumed (yet), but Albanese did talk about his record collection and rugby league preferences. (It wasn’t exactly a news-breaking hard-hitting interview.)

Right toward the end of the five-minute chat, after talking about his mid-election Covid diagnosis and watching the Newtown Jets at Henson Park, Albanese was asked a question or two about Morrison.

Albanese said it was “beyond my comprehension” why the former PM had sworn himself into five extra portfolios, claiming Morrison had tried “to centralise power”.

Albanese said:

I just find it bizarre.

Democracy relies on people being honest and transparent about what’s going on and people being accountable. That’s why this is such a shocking series of revelations.

Albanese said it was “remarkable” that Morrison didn’t tell then treasurer Josh Frydenberg that he’d sworn himself into the treasury portfolio.

Updated at 18.02 EDT

Indigenous leaders to meet today working towards Voice

The minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney will meet with her state and territory counterparts today, with a constitutionally-enshrined voice to parliament at the top of the agenda.

Burney says she is keen to discuss ways of working with state and territory ministers in support of a voice to parliament, and to fully implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The minister said in a statement ahead of Wednesday’s meeting:

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an issue that is above politics.

I want to work cooperatively with the states and territories to make this nation-building project a reality.

Linda Burney says an Indigenous voice to parliament is ‘above politics’. Photograph: James Gourley/AAP

At national cabinet earlier this year, state and territory leaders all gave in-principle support for a First Nations voice to parliament enshrined in the constitution.

Burney said the voice was “a simple proposition” based on governments listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and taking into account their lived experience in order to develop policies and programs that are more effective.

The meeting would also be an opportunity for states and territories to share progress they are making towards treaties and truth-telling processes. Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory are all enanged in processes, at different stages of development.

Updated at 18.00 EDT

NSW premier to respond to landmark floods report

New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet will be in Lismore today to release the findings of a long-awaited report into this year’s devastating flood.

He will announce a reconstruction authority to be established to replace part of Resilience NSW in an overhaul of the state’s emergency management.

That, and other announcements, will be detailed when he formally responds to the recommendations made by the NSW chief scientist, Mary O’Kane, and former police commissioner Mick Fuller after their probe into the February and March disasters.

The body – a key recommendation of the inquiry – will become the state’s lead agency responsible for disaster prevention and recovery will be similar to the one established in Queensland after the deadly 2010/11 floods across the northern state.

More than two dozen recommendations were handed to the government as part of the mammoth report just over a fortnight ago, and all have been supported in part or full.

NSW premier Dominic Perrottet. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

Updated at 17.52 EDT

‘An amazing, skilled workforce’: people with a disability to be key focus of jobs summit

The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, says she will bring a major focus on boosting employment opportunities for people with a disability to the government’s upcoming jobs summit.

Rishworth said:

There is an amazing, skilled workforce that is sadly underutilised. Hiring a person with disability makes good business sense and is good for the nation.

The minister will convene a roundtable meeting next week, with executives from Australia Post, Crown Resorts, the Technology Council, the Council of Small Business, and the wheelchair tennis champion and Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott among more than 20 attendees.

Nearly 10% of young Australians have a disability, with some 2.1 million Australians with a disability being of working age. Rishworth will look to address unemployment and underemployment among people with a disability who want to access work, with discussions on how employers can better support workers, particularly in sectors like technology and tourism.

Rishworth said:

Through my experience as a local member and as a clinical psychologist, I am aware of issues people with disability face in gaining employment and how detrimental unemployment can be for physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

Hiring someone with disability should not be seen as an optional or charitable act. People with disability bring diverse skills and experiences and make significant contributions to the workplace.

‘Hiring someone with disability should not be seen as an optional or charitable act’: Amanda Rishworth Photograph: Dean Martin/AAP

She said employers could start “thinking outside the box” on how to employ people with disability, including providing more flexibility for employees and workplaces – such as work from home arrangements.

Jordan O’Reilly, CEO of disability support network Hireup, said “mundane practicalities” like transiting to an office, or navigating an office environment, are among barriers preventing people with a disability being able to access more work.

O’Reilly said flexibility provided by technology was one way of getting more people into workforces.

Updated at 17.56 EDT

Good morning!

Australians should be prepared for more rain as the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting La Nina conditions to return for a rare third consecutive year.

In more wet weather news, the New South Wales government will today hand down findings into the catastrophic February and March floods , responding to the recommendations made by the NSW chief scientist, Mary O’Kane, and former police commissioner Mick Fuller.

The NSW premier Dominic Perrottet will announce a new reconstruction authority to replace part of Resilience NSW. This is a key recommendation of the report and the body will become the state’s lead agency responsible for disaster prevention.

Federal and state Indigenous affairs ministers are also meeting today for the first time to discuss the Indigenous voice to parliament and various stages of state treaty and truth telling processes.

Meanwhile, reactions continue to roll in to the revelations that have come through that the former prime minister Scott Morrison held an additional five ministries in secret.

The host of ABC Radio Patricia Karvelas has tweeted that Josh Frydenberg is “livid”:

Scott Morrison called Josh Frydenberg to apologise for secretly becoming Treasurer. The former treasurer has told people he is “livid”

We’ll bring you more reactions as they come.

Let’s kick off.

Updated at 17.33 EDT