Australia news LIVE: Qantas chairman Richard Goyder digs in over future; Jacinta Allan named as Victoria’s new premier
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Key posts
- Australian ally in US Senate won’t step down over bribery charges
- This morning’s headlines at a glance
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Hundreds of troops sent north in Australian Army overhaul
Almost 1000 defence force personnel will be shifted from southern to northern Australia in the biggest army overhaul in more than a decade, a move designed to prepare the nation’s military for a possible conflict in nearby Indo-Pacific islands.
The Albanese government will on Thursday also announce the creation of a new army brigade focused on long-range strike and missile defence and to be based in Adelaide, which is otherwise the major loser in the restructure.
Army personnel will be shifted from southern to northern Australia in the biggest overhaul since 2011.
Three new “littoral lift” groups, designed to transport weapons and personnel from ocean to land, will be created in Queensland and the Northern Territory, reflecting the defence strategic review’s finding that the army must focus on amphibious operations in Australia’s immediate region rather than land wars in the Middle East.
Find out more about the overhaul here.
Australian ally in US Senate won’t step down over bribery charges
One of the most high-profile AUKUS allies in the US Congress is facing a growing stampede of Democrat colleagues urging him to resign after he pleaded not guilty over an alleged scheme that involved taking bribes in exchange for helping the Egyptian government with military aid.
Days after federal prosecutors revealed the explosive allegations against Senator Bob Menendez, more than half of Senate Democrats are now demanding he step down amid fears the case could undercut their attack against Donald Trump’s criminal charges ahead of next year’s election.
Bob Menendez has pleaded not guilty over corruption chargesCredit: AP
The most damning shift came from party whip Dick Durban, the second-highest ranking Democrat in the chamber, who had initially declined to say Menendez should leave office but changed course on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) saying it was clear his colleague “could no longer serve”.
But despite facing calls from at least 23 of the 51 Democrats in the US Senate, Menendez remained defiant today as he and his wife Nadine pleaded not guilty to a bribery scheme that allegedly involved getting gifts of gold bars, a luxury car, and cash.
Here’s more from Farrah Tomazin on this issue.
This morning’s headlines at a glance
Good morning, and thanks for your company.
It’s Thursday, September 28. I’m Caroline Schelle, and I’ll be anchoring our live coverage for the first half of the day.
Here’s what you need to know before we get started:
- Qantas chairman Richard Goyder is digging in his heels against mounting pressure to resign from the airline after facing a parliamentary hearing.
- Australians have been promised a peace dividend from the Indigenous Voice in a crucial pitch from Yes campaigner Noel Pearson to convince voters.
- Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo told a Liberal powerbroker he would back then prime minister Scott Morrison’s plan to move the embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
- Australia’s attorney-general has revealed Labor’s plan to ban companies marketing products to kids and mandate transparency about the use of personal data.
Qantas chairman Richard Goyder faced a heated parliamentary hearing. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
- Almost 1000 defence force roles will be shifted from southern to northern Australia in the biggest restructure of the army in over a decade.
- In Victoria, Jacinta Allan has become the state’s premier and has pledged a different style of leadership after she was sworn in yesterday.
- NSW Premier Chris Minns has fired a warning shot at councils saying he will consider extraordinary planning reforms if ambitious housing targets aren’t met.
- And overseas, a US soldier who ran into North Korea in July, is in US custody and heading home after being expelled from the secretive country.
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