This is The Loop, your quick catch-up for this morning's news as it happens.
Key events
- Scott Morrison has defended his secret ministries
- BREAKING: Woman arrested after allegedly stabbing her children in Adelaide
- Nationals leader calls for Morrison to provide 'an explanation'
- 'There may well be more' secret ministries, Albanese says
- One big thing from overnight: Giuliani, Trump's lawyer, target in criminal probe
- More news while you snoozed: Rushdie blamed for attack by Iran
- One more thing: A Hollywood apology?
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Live updates
By Peta Fuller
Let's set you up for the day
From Anthony Albanese saying there 'may well be more' secret ministries picked up by Scott Morrison to Trump's lawyer getting a call-up in a criminal probe, here's what you need to know today.
By Peta Fuller
That's all for The Loop this morning
We'll be continuing our live coverage on the secret ministries story on the ABC News website.
You can also watch News Channel or listen to local radio here, and, as always, subscribe to our mobile alerts.
We'll be back tomorrow morning to cover the latest updates.
By Peta Fuller
Scott Morrison has defended his secret ministries
The former PM has spoken to 2GB's Ben Fordham this morning, saying they had to "put safeguards in place":
"The ministers were continuing to run their portfolios without any interference," Mr Morrison said.
He said it was "regrettable" that the then finance minister Mathias Cormann wasn't told that Mr Morrison had taken up joint control of his role:
"I've apologised to Mathias for that."
Mr Morrison also said he doesn’t recall taking on any additional portfolios besides finance, health and resources.
By Peta Fuller
BREAKING: Woman arrested after allegedly stabbing her children in Adelaide
A woman has been arrested for allegedly attacking her two children on a motorway in Adelaide’s western suburbs.
Police say a man intervened after the woman allegedly stopped on the motorway in Wingfield last night and stabbed the two children.
Police say the man disarmed the woman and other members of the public assisted to restrain her until police arrived.
The two children – an 8-year-old boy and a three-year-old boy – were taken to hospital with critical injuries.
Police say they’re in a stable condition.
Their 35-year-old mother is expected to be charged with two counts of attempted murder.
By Jessica Riga
Nationals leader calls for Morrison to provide 'an explanation'
Nationals leader David Littleproud told News Breakfast this morning it is "important that [Scott] Morrison gives an explanation" which would provide "clarity around the decisions that he made around signing himself into the three portfolios."
"I think that he owes it to the Office of Prime Minister and the exalted position that we have this this country to reflect and actually give an explanation to clear this up and give clarity," Mr Littleproud said.
When asked if the former prime minister swore himself in as Agriculture Minister alongside Mr Littleproud, he replied: "I can't tell you that. But I presume not. I hope not."
By Peta Fuller
Albanese stands by Governor-General
The PM also told RN's Patricia Karvelas that Scott Morrison started this "unprecedented" action and he didn't intend to "pass judgement" on the Governor-General's role, adding:
"There are checks and balances in our system, and they've been deliberately undermined," he said.
"What is clear though is that we have the capacity and need to get to the bottom of this and Australians are entitled to know what was going on."
By Peta Fuller
'There may well be more' secret ministries, Albanese says
On ABC's Radio National this morning, Mr Albanese told Patricia Karvelas the three known ministries might not be the only ones:
"There may well be more, but I'll have more to say about that when I'm properly briefed."
When questioned on the Governor-General's response he said:
"The Governor-General acted on the advice of the day.
"Scott Morrison was running a shadow government and not telling the Australian people what was occurring."
By Peta Fuller
One big thing coming up today: Scott Morrison's secret ministries
We'll be hearing a lot more about this through the day, but a quick catch-up first:
- The former PM appointed himself as the joint minister for health, finance and resources during the height of the pandemic
- But not all the ministers (or the public) knew about it
- The story came from a report in The Australian over the weekend, about Mr Morrison taking over responsibility for the health portfolio
Here's what we've heard overnight:
Another former PM, Malcolm Turnbull, said Scott Morrison's secret ministerial appointments are one of the most appalling things he's ever heard of in politics.
Mr Turnbull told 7.30 last night he's shocked it happened.
"I mean, this is sinister stuff, this is secret government."
By Peta Fuller
China's fresh military drills after another US Taiwan visit
A five-member US congressional delegation visited the island this week, after a similar trip by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The latest trip began Sunday with little notice ahead of time — and drew more ire from China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said:
"A handful of US politicians, in collusion with the separatist forces of Taiwan independence, are trying to challenge the One China principle, which is out of their depth and doomed to failure."
The new exercises were intended to be a "resolute response and solemn deterrent against collusion and provocation between the US and Taiwan," the Defense Ministry said earlier.
By Peta Fuller
One big thing from overnight: Giuliani, Trump's lawyer, target in criminal probe
Rudy Giuliani, former president Donald Trump's personal lawyer, says he's scheduled to testify on Wednesday before a special grand jury in Georgia (after a judge ordered him to comply with a subpoena).
During a daily talk show he hosts on WABC radio in New York, Mr Giuliani claimed the investigation was politically motivated and said Atlanta is "well known for corruption," without elaborating.
The lawyer helped lead challenges to the 2020 election results.
By Peta Fuller
More news while you snoozed: Rushdie blamed for attack by Iran
Iran has made its first comments after author Salman Rushdie's attack — blaming him for the stabbing.
Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said:
"Regarding the attack against Salman Rushdie in America, we don’t consider anyone deserving reproach, blame or even condemnation, except for (Rushdie) himself and his supporters."
Iran's suggestion has been condemned by the US State Department. Spokesman Ned Price said it was "absolutely outrageous":
"It is despicable. It's disgusting."
US basketball star Brittney Griner has appealed her conviction for narcotics possession and trafficking in Russia.
Ms Griner has said she made an "honest mistake" after she was arrested at a Moscow airport in February with cannabis-infused vape cartridges found in her luggage.
The US government has already made a "substantial proposal" to get Ms Griner home, along with Paul Whelan, an American serving a 16-year sentence in Russia for espionage.
By Peta Fuller
News Australia is searching for
- Aung San Suu Kyi: Myanmar's ousted leader has been convicted on more corruption charges (prosecutors argued she'd misused charitable funds) and given another six years in prison, on top of 11 from a previous trial. She has been tried on multiple charges since her arrest last year during the military's coup
By Peta Fuller
One more thing: A Hollywood apology?
Sacheen Littlefeather famously took to the Oscars stage in 1973 on behalf of Marlon Brando (when he won for The Godfather), making a 60-second speech to decline his award.
Why? Due to "the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry".
But the response at the time was far from good.
Some in the audience booed her. John Wayne, who was backstage at the time, was reportedly furious.
In the years since, Littlefeather has said she's been mocked, discriminated against and personally attacked for her brief Academy Awards appearance.
Now the Academy will host an evening with the 75-year-old for "conversation, healing and celebration."
President David Rubin said:
"The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified.
For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration."
