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Key posts
- PM ‘playing silly buggers’ over double dissolution trigger: Faruqi
- Australian cattle exports ‘pose no deadly disease risk’
- French embassy in Niger attacked in coup
- This morning’s headlines at a glance
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PM ‘playing silly buggers’ over double dissolution trigger: Faruqi
Turning now to the government’s signature $10 billion housing bill, that it plans to reintroduce in parliament this week.
My colleague Rachel Clun writes the government is throwing down the gauntlet to the Greens to either pass the legislation or hand Labor a double dissolution election trigger.
Acting Greens leader Mehreen Faruqi said the prime minister is threatening a double dissolution election as a distraction.
Acting Greens leader Mehreen Faruqi spoke about the double dissolution election. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“The prime minister … is threatening people with an early election to trying to distract from the fact that he has not addressed the rental crisis and the housing crisis,” she told ABC’s RN Breakfast.
The senator said the dissolution threat was “hot air” and that labelled it a desperate move from the prime minister.
“This hot and ridiculousness of a double dissolution election … this intrigue and speculation the prime minister is creating shows that Labor is all about playing political games and not actually addressing a very real problem that millions of Australians are facing,” she said.
Faruqi said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was playing “silly buggers” over the move.
“He [Albanese] should come to the table with the Greens and negotiate the housing bill, he should show leadership in national cabinet when they meet in,” she said.
Australian cattle exports ‘pose no deadly disease risk’
The federal government is reassuring Indonesian authorities that Australian animal exports are free from deadly lumpy skin disease.
Indonesia has paused exports from four Australian facilities pending further testing of animals after some exported cattle were detected with the disease.
But Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said Australia remained free of lumpy skin disease.
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt spoke about Indonesia’s discovery of lumpy skin disease in Australian cattle. Credit: Mike Richards
“We have never had a positive detection on our shores,” he said in a statement.
“Australian officials are working with Indonesian authorities to reassure them that all animals exported from Australia comply with all Indonesian requirements.”
The federal government briefed state and territory ministers, met with Australia’s ambassador to Indonesia and other departmental officers, and begun rapid diagnostic testing of cattle across northern Australia.
Senator Watt said Australian producers and the beef supply chain could be assured the government was working to resolve the issue.
The Red Meat Advisory Council and National Farmers Federation have issued a joint statement, saying the Australian cattle were found to have Lumpy Skin Disease only after they spent time in Indonesia.
AAP
French embassy in Niger attacked in coup
In overseas news, thousands of people backing the coup in Niger marched through the streets of the capital denouncing France, the country’s former colonial power, waving Russian flags, and setting a door at the French Embassy ablaze before the army broke up the crowd.
Demonstrators in Niger are openly resentful of France, and Russia is seen by some as a powerful alternative.
The nature of Russia’s involvement in the rallies, if any, isn’t clear, but some protesters have carried Russian flags, along with signs reading “Down with France” and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian mercenary group Wagner is operating in neighbouring Mali, and under Putin Russia has expanded its influence in West Africa.
Nigeriens holding a Russian flag and placards participate in a march called by supporters of coup leader Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niamey, Niger.Credit: AP
The new junta’s leaders have not said whether they intend to ally themselves with Moscow or stick with Niger’s Western partners.
French President Emmanuel Macron said attacks on France and its interests would not be tolerated and anyone who attacks French citizens will see an immediate response.
Niger, a French colony until 1960, had been seen as the West’s last reliable partner battling jihadists in Africa’s Sahel region.
France has 1,500 soldiers in the country who conduct joint operations with the Nigeriens. The United States and other European countries have helped train the nation’s troops.
At an emergency meeting Sunday, the West African bloc known as ECOWAS said that it was suspending relations with Niger, and authorised the use of force if President Mohamed Bazoum is not reinstated within a week.
The African Union has issued its own 15-day ultimatum to the junta in Niger to reinstall the democratically elected government.
AP
This morning’s headlines at a glance
Good morning, and thanks for your company.
It’s Caroline Schelle, and I’m back to anchor the blog for the first half of the day. It’s Monday, July 31.
Here’s what you need to know before we get started:
- Some economists warn the Reserve Bank could drive the economy into a recession if it delivers another interest rate rise this week.
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