INDOCTRINATION CAMPS
Internal Chinese government documents leaked to The New York Times have revealed the scale of China’s mass detention of Muslims, with President Xi Jinping declaring “no mercy” for ethnic minorities.
The leaked 400-page document exposes the thinking behind the crackdown, including Xi’s call for the use of “organs of dictatorship” and “a period of painful, interventionary treatment”. Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne has labelled the revelations “disturbing” and Australia has suspended a human rights partnership program ($) with China. Meanwhile, former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson is calling for “new balance” and calm in the China debate ($), The Australian reports.
FIRES FOR WEEKS
Fire weather is likely to continue “for weeks to come” in NSW, while Queensland firefighters face dire warnings and an uphill battle.
Fire crews are currently battling more than 50 bushfires across NSW, with searing heat and gusty winds expected to prompt severe fire danger across the state this week, Nine reports. Acting Queensland fire commissioner Mike Wassing says it will take a heavy dose of rainfall to get the state’s 70-odd fires under control, the ABC reports, with air quality in certain parts of the state now worse than in Mumbai. The Coalition is again split over bushfire policy, as NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall clashes with Minister for Environment Matt Kean over whether to allow grazing in national parks. The tally of homes lost to the NSW fires is approaching 500.
VIOLENCE ESCALATES
Hong Kong police are threatening to respond with live bullets, after an officer was shot with an arrow in a day of heightened violence, the ABC reports.
A nearly 24-hour standoff on the fringes of Polytechnic University saw petrol bombs thrown and bridges set on fire, with police using tear gas and water cannons. An officer was admitted to hospital after being shot in the leg by an arrow, with police issuing a statement threatening to use force and bullets if “rioters” continued using lethal weapons. Lawmakers scrambled to stop riot police from charging inside the campus, as journalists and first-aid volunteers fled the scene, with Hong Kong schools closed for Monday, The New York Times reports.
[free_worm]
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Look how rapid, these bushfires, these droughts, all these things have come, in a short period of time. You think it’s a coincidence or not? God is speaking to you guys, Australia.
Israel Folau
The former Wallabies player linked the bushfire crisis to same-sex marriage and abortion.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Regional grants: Projects judged most worthy miss out in Coalition-held seats
‘Beyond rude’: Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am accuses Qantas flight attendant of being ‘racist’
Queensland Farmers’ Federation boss’s denial of science sparks call to suspend Barrier Reef grants
Ita Buttrose urged to scrap MeToo documentary ($)
ABC staff push for climate group ($)
Prince’s Trust aims to create ‘mixed-income community’
Berejiklian calls for an audit of four agencies, including ICAC
Labor state president urges members to ‘speak up’ about harassment
Samoa declares state of emergency as measles spreads across Pacific
Buttigieg surges ahead of Democrat rivals in Iowa poll
Rising petrol prices fuel violent protests in Iran
Venice under water again as third record tide floods the city
Prince Andrew’s BBC interview ‘like watching a man in quicksand’
Greens’ Adam Bandt endorses colleague’s ‘arson’ charge against major parties
CRIKEY QUICKIE: THE BEST OF YESTERDAY
New Zealand defies Australia, saves journalist from offshore detention
“Many people assumed Boochani had been granted asylum or residency by New Zealand. Boochani is, in fact, in New Zealand on a visitor’s visa after he was invited by organisers of a literary festival in Christchurch. And it was jarring to hear this morning that, on his first day as a free man, he still has to continue to do the work of educating both well-wishers and journalists on the complex and fraught details of how difficult it is to escape Australia.”
How Quadrant continues to defend a convicted paedophile
“Since the cardinal was found guilty of child sex abuse, Quadrant, once renowned for its fierce contrarianism and illustrious contributors, has published an ongoing series of scathing articles attacking the jury, the Victorian Court of Appeal, its ‘childless’ chief justice and the state’s legal establishment. In that time, the journal has published over 20 pieces, all of them questioning elements of the verdict or seeking to cast Pell as the victim of a larger, media-driven conspiracy.”
Is discontent within Home Affairs set to boil over?
“An angry insider links simmering discontent about promotions and deep distrust of senior executives in the Department of Home Affairs to the way internal complaints are handled, in a submission to a Senate inquiry that hears from the secretary on Friday. The committee lined up secretary Michael Pezzullo for a Friday morning session of its second hearing about press freedom and government whistleblowers. The inquiry recently received a long list of grievances and allegations about senior leaders in Home Affairs from a person who claims over 30 years experience in the public service, and we have reason to believe many others in the department share their views.”
THE COMMENTARIAT
MPs banned from China? They should wear it as a badge of honour – Nathan Attrill (The Age/Sydney Morning Herald): “Previously, political leaders claimed to speak privately with their Chinese counterparts on these so-called sensitive issues. The results of these closed-door chats speak for themselves: many of these issues are worsening or going unresolved. While the Australia-China relationship might be complicated, the right and duty of our elected representatives, indeed all Australians, to speak up for their values and support for human rights in China should not be complicated. Authorities in Beijing are making ‘banned from China’ a badge of honour, ones that Hastie and Paterson should wear proudly.”
We benefit as awakened China moves the world ($) – Josh Frydenberg (The Australian): “There are unresolved tensions but they need not derail the broader relationship. China and her growing role in the world is not going away. As the Prime Minister has said, Australia does not need to choose between the US and China. The US is our critical long-term ally with whom we have forged a friendship based on shared values and history. China is an important partner as well but we both acknowledge there are important differences. We are best served by being clear and consistent in the policy positions we take in accordance with our values and national interest. This may see us disagree at times with China on human rights, foreign investment and other matters but by being clear and consistent our differences need not undermine this important relationship.”
The killing of Kumanjayi Walker – Marly Wells Naparngardi, Harry Jakamarra Nelson, Valerie Napaljarri Martin and Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves (The Saturday Paper): “I work in a school. We encourage all of our children to be strong, and to be smart, and to be proud of who they are and where they come from. But are we just raising them to be disappointed, and betrayed? I don’t want to live in a world where we have to ask if our nieces and nephews will be next. Our brothers and sisters? What has happened in Yuendumu is an outrage, an injustice, and an event that we must not allow to be swept under the rug.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Sydney
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A case against Uber Eats will open at the Fair Work Commission, following the sacking of a food delivery driver who was 10 minutes late with an order.
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NSW Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean will launch the WOW (War on Waste) Food! campaign to encourage surplus food donations.
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The NSW Sports Awards will be held at The Star.
Melbourne
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The Lawyer X royal commission will continue with Detective Sergeant Paul Rowe giving evidence.
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IBAC will hold hearings into alleged corrupt planning and property development decisions at Casey City Council.
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A coronial inquest will begin into 2017’s deadly Bourke St rampage, with up to 70 witnesses expected to give evidence.
Adelaide
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The joint standing committee on migration will hold an inquiry into migration in regional Australia.
London
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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is due back in court over a US extradition matter.
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