Happy Friday! We’re learning more about the relationship breakdown between independent MP Monique Ryan (pictured left) and her chief of staff Sally Rugg, with federal judge Justice Debra Mortimer saying she had never “seen a case like this”.
To recap, Rugg is suing the commonwealth and Ryan, claiming the MP caused her to be sacked for refusing to work unreasonable additional hours.
Fresh revelations from a court hearing today include Ryan’s displeasure at Rugg for flying while she had Covid, citing it as a reason for losing trust and confidence in Rugg. But the core of the dispute remains their differing views on what constitutes “reasonable hours” for parliamentary staffers.
Mortimer suggested the full case could take two weeks to hear, and may require evidence about what “reasonable hours” staffers in parliament work, including evidence from “staffers of other politicians”.
Top news
Bruce Lehrmann could face cross-examination | Lehrmann could be asked in two weeks’ time why he did not file defamation proceedings against Lisa Wilkinson within the usual 12-month time limit. Defamation claims are typically required to be filed within 12 months of the relevant publication. If it proceeds, it would be the first time Lehrmann has given evidence in open court.
Rajwinder Singh faces Queensland court | Singh, who is accused of murdering 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley more than four years ago, has faced court in Queensland for the first time. Singh was arrested in Delhi in November, before being extradited from India to Queensland via Melbourne this week. Singh’s lawyer told reporters his client is innocent until proven guilty.
Turnbull to face robodebt inquiry | Malcolm Turnbull – who was PM when the scheme exploded in controversy in early 2017 – is scheduled to appear on Monday. The inquiry today offered some insight into the questionable work culture inside the department of human services, with an official saying she was verbally abused and threatened after raising concerns about robodebt.
Real estate agents escape fines | Agents in New South Wales caught promoting rent bidding have not been fined, despite the practice being banned late last year. Amid soaring rental prices and tight housing supply, tenants’ rights have emerged as a major election issue ahead of the state election on 25 March.
Kanye West’s Melbourne burger court case thrown out | The controversial rapper had sued College Dropout Burgers – a Melbourne restaurant – which is named after his 2004 record The College Dropout. West’s lawyers did not appear in the federal court on Friday, prompting the case to be dismissed.
Fisherman captures shark feeding frenzy | A Louisiana fisherman stumbled across a huge group of sharks feeding on a large pod of menhaden, a small fish, common off the eastern US. It’s quite the sight – watch the video.
Daily Mail announces redundancies | The UK paper says it will cut editorial jobs as the newspaper struggles with declining print readership and the increased cost of paper.
Racial tensions in Hawaii | Two Native Hawaiian men were due to be sentenced Thursday local time in a Honolulu court for a federal hate crime in the brutal beating of a white man who tried to move into their remote traditional fishing village. Local lawyers believe this is the first time the US has prosecuted Native Hawaiians for hate crimes. The unique case highlights the struggles between Native Hawaiians who are adamant about not having their culture erased and people who move to Hawaii without knowing or considering its history and racial dynamics.
Alex Murdaugh guilty of murdering wife and son | The verdict concludes a gripping six-week televised trial that culminated with the defendant unexpectedly taking the stand to plead his innocence. The trial saw almost 75 witnesses called. Prosecutors said Murdaugh – who hails from a prominent South Carolina family – shot and killed his family members to distract from his financial crimes.
Full Story
Is it OK to break an election promise? – with Lenore Taylor
As the Labor government continues to push for tax reform, it seems that every time Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese face the media they’re accused of breaking an election promise. Is the constant shouting about broken promises drowning out a nuanced discussion about a fair and equitable tax system? Our editors discuss in this 17-minute episode.
What they said …
***
“I think it’s peak bizarre that you can say that cabinet solidarity allows you to give false statements.” – Bill Shorten
Shorten was responding to the extraordinary remarks made by Stuart Robert – the former Coalition minister for human services and government minister during the time of the robodebt scheme – yesterday at the royal commission.
In numbers
Revenue up, jobs down. Data released by the federal government found the number of full-time jobs declined in the sector from 130,414 in March 2020 to 121,364 in 2021 (a 7% decrease). And that number is likely to be a conservative estimate as it didn’t count casuals, who account for about 30% of the university teaching workforce.
Before bed read
Check out our fruit and veggie guide for March before you do your groceries this weekend. Avoid strawberries, cherries and avocados, go for grapes, watermelon and corn.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: ROE. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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