CITIZENSHIP SAGA: TODAY’S SUSPECTS

The ever-spinning wheel of dual citizen suspicion lands on Liberal Ann Sudmalis today, with the MP forced to issue a statement denying that she is a British citizen, despite having her nationality listed as “British” on a return card submitted in 1966. Born in Australia, Sudmalis insists the UK’s Home Office confirmed to her that she has never been British citizen.

The nightmare goes on for the government, however, with the prospect of losing confirmed dual citizen Fiona Nash potentially upsetting the delicate balance between Liberals and Nationals on the Coalition’s NSW Senate ticket. According to Newspoll, voters are split on whether dual national MPs should be booted.

The Coalition is now trying to push the question back onto Labor, with Bill Shorten comparing questions about his own citizenship to Donald Trump’s “birther” attacks on Barack Obama. Doubts about Anthony Albanese’s citizenship have also been cleared thanks to the somewhat heartwarming story of his mother’s “courageous decision” to carry on as a sole parent.

As the Great Ineligibility War rages, one early winner has emerged. Eminent lawyer Bret Walker SC has picked up clients on both sides of the aisle, working for Labor in a section 44(v) case against Nationals MP David Gillespie and working for Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce on his own section 44(i) troubles.

NORTH KOREA LOCKS ON TURNBULL

North Korea’s foreign ministry has hit out at Malcolm Turnbull, saying the PM’s decision to involve Australia in South Korean and American war games is “a suicidal act of inviting disaster as it is an illustration of political immaturity unaware of the seriousness of the current situation”. The typically tough words come after Defence Minister Marise Payne committed 24 Australian troops to the Ulchi Freedom Guardian War Games. The war games involve tens of thousands of troops and have angered China, as well as North Korea. In response, the US and South Korea have labelled the joint exercise “defensive”.

In response, Turnbull issued at statement reiterating support for the UN Security Council’s recent resolutions targeting North Korea, while denouncing the country for showing “no regard” for the welfare of its own population or regional security.

Foreign policy buffs have played down the threats from North Korea, saying they are likely intended to “downscale” the war games. “We all need to take a leaf out of the South Koreans’ book on not over-reacting to North ­Korean threats,” Lowy Institute’s Euan Graham told The Australian.

BARCELONA TERROR CHASE ENDS

Younes Abouyaaqoub, the 22-year-old suspected of driving a car that killed 13 pedestrians on the Barcelona thoroughfare of Las Ramblas, has been shot and killed by Spanish police. It was feared yesterday that Abouyaaquob might have fled the country, but he was last night located 30 miles west of Barcelona.

The last of the 12 suspects wanted over the attack, Abouyaaquob was killed after emerging from his car wearing a fake suicide vest.

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Sex Party transforms into new ‘Reason’ party

Competition watchdog finally bites down on ‘terrible’ advertising for NBN

Room for hope on Trump, says former critic John Howard

Coalition in danger of fight with Catholics on same-sex marriage

Danish Crown Prince Frederik ‘denied entry to Australian pub’

WHAT’S ON TODAY

Sydney: Facebook and Google representatives will testify at the Senate inquiry into public interest journalism.

Adelaide: State MP Troy Bell is in court on theft and deception charges.

Melbourne: Second day of committal hearing for four men charged over an alleged Christmas day terror plot.

THE COMMENTARIAT

Religious freedom at risk in same-sex shift — Paul Kelly (The Australian $): “They rest upon three realities: that protection of belief and ­religious freedom in this country is seriously inadequate; the refusal of politicians either to admit or to address such defects; and the abundant evidence at home and abroad that individuals and institutions will be intimidated after the marriage law is changed.”

Citizenship, the Nationals and Adani’s uncertain coal mine — Richard Denniss (Australian Financial Review $): “For years Adani has been demanding that its approvals be expedited… Yet now Adani now seems quite content to wait for the High Court, and possibly even a byelection, to sort out which minister will sign-off on its subsidy.”

THE WORLD

President Donald Trump will make a nationally televised address this evening concerning the future of America’s military involvement in Afghanistan. Though he has long been critical of deeper US involvement, it is thought Trump will commit to a slight increase in troops. The US already has 8400 troops stationed in the country, but the Taliban has surged in recent years, killing an increasing number of civilians and destabilising the central government. — New York Times

Chile’s Constitutional Court has upheld a law allowing women to access abortions in a limited set of circumstances. Chile had long been one of the few countries with a total abortion ban — including on women who have been raped — but a 2014 law eased restrictions, only to be challenged by conservatives. — Reuters

The US has been visited by a rare solar eclipse, with heads turning to the heavens as the moon briefly passed between the sun and the earth, casting a shaw that travelled eastward across the continent. — BBC

WHAT WE’RE READING

The elites strike back — getting under Trump’s skin (Washington Post): “Seven months into President Trump’s reign, the elites are striking back. The growing number of groups canceling galas, stars boycotting ceremonies and chief executives resigning from advisory boards is further isolating Trump. He stormed the barricades, but now he’s the one under siege.”

What is Amazon, really? (Quartz): “Behind every Amazon business decision is the ‘flywheel’ philosophy. It describes a cycle in which a company cuts prices to attract customers, which increases sales and attracts more customers, which allows the company to benefit from economies of scale (bundling together logistics and other routine costs), until, ultimately, the company can cut prices again, spinning the flywheel anew.”

Beware the women of ISIS: There are many, and they may be more dangerous than the men (The Daily Beast): “Recruiters who are promising female empowerment and emancipation, both political and economic, can be very persuasive to women who are feeling disillusioned and distressed by living in the West. They are told of a utopian state where all Muslims are included and where being a Muslim is an advantage versus a disadvantage; where personal dignity, honor, purpose, significance, and the material benefits of free housing, job training, free health care, matchmaking and salaries are promised to all who join.”

HOLD THE FRONT PAGE