Jane Hume says PM shown ‘extraordinary lack of curiosity’ on alleged corruption on construction sites
Deputy opposition leader Jane Hume has backed a Victorian royal commission into corruption in the construction industry, but stopped short of calling for a federal royal commission. She said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had shown an “extraordinary lack of curiosity” about alleged corruption on construction sites, particularly where Commonwealth taxpayers’ money was involved.
“If you are serious about stamping out corruption in construction – which is causing costs for construction to rise so fast and all Australians pay a price for that – why not start with a Senate inquiry?
Anthony Albanese has shown such extraordinary lack of curiosity, a lack of interested into extent of corruption on construction sites right around the country, particularly when there is federal, commonwealth, taxpayer money that’s been involved.
Even after knowing that there were at least four allegations of corruption on the suburban rail loop site, Anthony Albanese committed $3.8bn of commonwealth taxpayers’ money to that project.
And I think that there are questions that that should be answered about that.
Hume said corruption in construction was pushing up costs and said questions remained about the federal funding of the suburban rail loop after allegations emerged about the site.
How are Yolngu leaders changing land rights in northeast Arnhem Land?
Yolngu leaders in northeast Arnhem Land have announced a new Dilak Land Council, saying land rights are “coming home” to traditional owners, AAP reports. The announcement was made on a national stage at the Garma Festival, where revered Elder Djawa Yunupingu told leaders, politicians and visitors on Saturday that real power must sit “fully into the hands of landowners”.
“I announce today that land rights is coming home to northeast Arnhem Land,”
He said the new body would be called the Dilak Land Council and would be “the power for our future”. The move cements a new Aboriginal authority in one of the most symbolically important parts of the country and signals a fresh push for self-determination on Yolngu terms.
“There will be a new land council in Arnhem Land and it will be called the Dilak Land Council, and it will be the power for our future.
What did Hume say about ICAC and political interference?
Hume said she would not comment on proceedings at the NSW anti-corruption commission after federal opposition leader Angus Taylor was mentioned at a hearing. He is not accused of wrongdoing and not a specific target of Operation Rosny, which is investigating allegations of corruption against people associated with the NSW Liberals.
Asked about the matter, Hume said she feels “this is so distant from him”.
“ICAC should be allowed to go through its processes free of political interference, free of commentary from politicians, and be allowed to run its course.
Writing the review into the 2022 election, we specifically said that each division needs to make sure that its constitution is fit-for-purpose and that that its membership is match-fit to fight elections.
I reiterate that point, it is so fundamentally important.
But this is an issue for Icac, it’s not something that I can comment on.
It’s not something that the the leader is involved in, he hasn’t been named, he hasn’t been called, he hasn’t been approached.
It’s kind of very distanced, and I think that the Icac should be allowed to do what it needs to do.
Hume said the commission should be left to complete its work without political pressure or commentary, and said the opposition leader had not been named, called or approached.
Will the Liberal Party govern with One Nation?
Hume said the Liberal Party will not form a coalition with One Nation, despite continued questions over the issue as Pauline Hanson’s party grows in popularity. She said the Liberals are already in coalition with the National party, and that arrangement would continue.
“We are not forming a coalition with One Nation.
I think we couldn’t be any clearer than that.
The Liberals are already in coalition with the National party.
That coalition has been the foundation of very successful governments for 80 years now, and it will continue to be so.
Asked whether it could be a possibility in the event of a minority government, Hume said the next election was not for at least 18 months. She said governments had formed minority governments in the past with a range of parties, but that the opposition’s intention was to win outright.
“Governments have formed minority governments in the past with all sorts of parties.
Our intention is to win outright, and we do that by making sure that we present a credible plan and a credible team to deliver that plan.
That’s exactly what Angus Taylor and I I have been doing for the last 23, 24 weeks that he has been leader.
What does Hume want the new Victorian premier to do?
Victorian senator and federal deputy leader of the opposition Jane Hume said the state’s new premier, Ben Carroll, should wind back many of Jacinta Allan’s commitments. She said business had rightly raised concerns, and argued the Victorian economy was under severe pressure.
The criticism comes as the opposition urges the new premier to reset policy direction in the state. 
“I think the new premier should be looking at winding back an awful lot of the commitments that Jacinta Allan has made, certainly the business community has rightly expressed concern about this policy.
Let’s face it, the Victorian economy is tanking.
Businesses are declaring insolvency on a daily basis, or they’re pack up and moving interstate, the unemployment rate in Victoria is the highest in the country, our youth unemployment is more than double the national rate.
This should be the alarm bells for Victorian leaders to make sure that we inject new life in the economy – not keep holding it back.
Hume said Victoria’s high unemployment and business pressures should prompt leaders to inject new life into the economy rather than hold it back.
Why isn’t Luke Gosling being stood down from his envoy role?
Health minister Mark Butler has rejected calls for the prime minister to stand down Luke Gosling after police charged him with assault against the Northern Territory administrator. Butler said the special envoy role has no executive function, unlike a minister, who would be stood down if charged or under investigation.
He made the comments in an interview with News 24, formerly Sky, with host Andrew Clennell asking what the point of the envoy role was. Butler said the job is mostly ceremonial and does not have powers that would “impact Australians”. Labor is not the first government to appoint special envoys; Tony Abbott was appointed special envoy for Indigenous Australians by Scott Morrison in 2018, and Labor has seven, including Gosling. 
“It’s important to remember what the job of special envoy is. It’s not a ministerial position. It doesn’t have any executive authority, any ability to make decisions that impact Australians, of course, as you know, if he were a minister, he would be required to stand aside.
You’re not required to stand down as a member of parliament if you’re charged. Obviously, there are some provisions around conviction, but he is really just a backbench member of parliament. He is not a member of the executive, and that is a fundamental distinction in the separation of powers.
Butler said Gosling was a backbench MP, not a member of the executive, and therefore was not required to stand down from the envoy role.
Who is appearing on Insiders?
Deputy opposition leader Jane Hume is scheduled to appear on ABC’s Insiders after 9.
Why are petrol prices rising?
Drivers could soon pay more than $2 a litre for fuel and $2.40 for diesel after the government’s 16-cent discount ends at midnight. The 32-cent per litre reduction in fuel excise, introduced in March at the peak of the fuel price spike, was halved to 16 cents in July, and the excise will add 16 cents per litre to the wholesale prices paid by service stations. 
Energy minister Chris Bowen told reporters on Saturday the government would not extend the temporary cost-of-living relief.
“Obviously we always monitor the situation and take steps as necessary, but our policy decision is clear.
How much are aged-care nurses being paid?
Aged-care nurses have been told they will get a fifth increase to award wages this year as the final stage of a Fair Work Commission decision. The government said on 1 August the increase in annual pay packets would mean registered nurses in the sector on the most common pay level had seen their annual salary increase by more than $36,000.
An enrolled nurse on the most common level and pay point will have seen their wage increase by almost $32,000 per year. Aged care minister Sam Rae said better pay would help aged-care homes attract and keep nurses, improving care for older Australians. 
“Better pay for nurses means better care for older Australians – our record boost to wages is making it easier for aged care homes to attract and retain nurses, ensuring older people can access higher-quality, more consistent care.
AAP reported the pay increases came after it had obtained internal departmental documents showing Australia “would need an extra 35,000 aged-care workers this financial year as the population aged and more people required support”.
Good morning
I’m Kat Wong, and I’ll be taking you through today’s news.
Australia is suspected to have experienced its from the deadly strain of bird flu after more than 80 dead and sick birds were spotted off the coast of South Australia. Meanwhile, Jamaica has after defeating the defending netball champions to reach the finals.
Key Facts
- Jane Hume backed a Victorian royal commission into construction corruption but did not call for a federal inquiry.
- She criticised Anthony Albanese over $3.8bn of Commonwealth funding for the suburban rail loop after alleged corruption claims.
- Yolngu leaders announced a new Dilak Land Council at Garma Festival, saying land rights were “coming home” to northeast Arnhem Land.
- Mark Butler said Luke Gosling should not be stood down because the special envoy role has no executive authority.
- Fuel excise relief ends at midnight, while aged-care nurses are set for a fifth award wage increase this year.
