This was published 7 years ago
Changes to wording of the Racial Discrimination Act defeated in the Senate
Every Monday to Friday I'll be delivering a personally-curated newsletter. Call it the double espresso of news – the morning news kickstart for busy people who want to know what they need to know before they get going.
By Latika Bourke
1. 18c fails
In a way the Senate's refusal to pass the government's proposed changes to 18C overnight is a win for everyone.
Sure Turnbull suffers a defeat in the Senate, but he doesn't really want to be the Prime Minister giving the green-light to bigots. Those genuine about wanting change to ensure people aren't unfairly dragged through drawn-out legal processes can be reassured by the process changes, which are still likely to pass the Senate when it resumes on Friday morning. It could be effective enough in stopping QUT-style cases before they begin. (Although some in the opposition think the government may struggle to find the numbers here too).
And as for those pushing changes to the Act? Well it suits at least one of those person's agendas. The longer the wording of the law remains in its current form, conservative upstart Cory Bernardi has a point of difference with the government on an issue that hard-core right-wingers care about deeply.
And Labor? Well as frontbencher Tony Burke, who represents one of the country's most multicultural electorates told me, it's a victory for anyone who's experienced racism. [Michael Koziol and Latika Bourke/Fairfax]
Attorney-General Senator George Brandis in the Senate.Credit: Andrew Meares
The senate resumes at 9am to deal with the company tax cut with Finance Minister Mathias Cormann still brokering a deal with Senate kingmaker Nick Xenophon. [Philip Coorey/Financial Review]
The government has set up a new financing agency to boost the level of private funding in public infrastructure - like the second Sydney Airport at Badgery's Creek. [Jacob Saulwick/The Sydney Morning Herald]
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Credit: Bloomberg
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has suggested her colleagues who scotched the extradition treaty with China don't trust Australia's legal system. Unlikely to go down well. [James Massola/Fairfax]
China said the Sydney UTS professor they have detained is being investigated on national security grounds. [Kirsty Needham/Fairfax]
2. Trump to fight Freedom Caucus
President Donald Trump.Credit: Andrew Harnik
The right-wingers who blocked Trump's attempt to repeal his replacement of Obamacare are once more in the tweeter-in-chief's sights.
The President vowed to fight the Freedom Caucus and the Democrats all the way to the 2018 midterm elections. [Politico]
"It is highly unusual for a president to publicly call for a fight against members of his own party," says Clare Foran. [The Atlantic]
A judge in Hawaii has extended the halt on Trump's travel ban for people from six Muslim-majority countries. [CNN]
3. Russia - Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Credit: AP
The House Intelligence Committee's investigation into claims Russia meddled in the US election has begun [BBC]
Responding to the accusation, President Vladmir Putin bungled George W. Bush's "read my lips" line, but to be fair, he was speaking in Russian. [Fairfax]
Putin could have his first face-to-face with Trump in Finland. [Bloomberg]
4. Malaysia and North Korea strike a deal
Kim Jong Nam in 2010. Photo: APCredit: AP
Malaysia and North Korea have brokered a deal ending the row over the nerve-agent assassination of Kim Jong-nam.
Nine Malaysians who have been trapped in North Korea will be allowed to return home, while many North Koreans stuck in Malaysia will also be allowed to leave. [Linsday Murdoch/Fairfax]
5. Brexit
British Prime Minister Theresa May signs the official letter invoking Article 50.Credit: Christopher Furlong
The government set out the details of its Great Repeal Bill to take back laws from the European Union after Brexit and denied that Prime Minister Theresa May's mention of security cooperation in her Article 50 letter was a threat to member states. [BBC]
May penned an open letter to the French attempting to make reassurances about citizens living in each other's countries, but outgoing President Francois Hollande appeared unmoved and said Britain should divorce first, then talk trade second. [The Local France]
David Cameron has defended his decision to hold the vote saying the anti-EU narrative was poisoning British politics. [Politics Home]
6. Game of Thrones
The trailer for the final season is out! I don't know where they are going with the music but the final sequence = goosebumps.
Suddenly July feels simultaneously much closer but oh-so-far away.
And that's it from me this week, you can follow me on Facebook for more. Have a great weekend.
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