Hi there. It's Friday, November 25 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
Let's start here
An inquiry into former prime minister Scott Morrison's secret move to appoint himself joint control over several ministries during the COVID-19 pandemic was released.
Former High Court Justice Virginia Bell's inquiry found the move was "corrosive" to trust in government.
The Bell Inquiry has recommended new laws that would require public notice of the appointment of ministers to an office, including temporary appointments, and departments to publish lists of ministers appointed to administer them.
Speaking from Canberra today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr Morrison "misled the parliament every single day".
Mr Morrison secretly appointed himself to administer several ministries throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and in one instance used the powers to overrule a minister in a matter unrelated to the pandemic.
Ms Bell refuted previous assertions by Mr Morrison that he gave himself the powers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying self-appointments to the treasury, home affairs and industry, science, energy and resources portfolio had "little if any connection to the pandemic".
What else is going on
- Police in India arrested the main suspect in the alleged murder of Cairns woman Toyah Cordingley in 2018. The 24-year-old was walking alone with her dog at Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, when she was killed. A $1 million reward was on offer for information leading to the arrest of former Innisfail nurse Rajwinder Singh.
- Adam Bandt's office confirmed the Greens leader has met with Australian Federal Police to discuss Senator Lidia Thorpe's undisclosed relationship with a former bikie boss. Senator Thorpe admitted last month that she briefly dated the ex-head of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang in Victoria.
- A Queensland court ruled Clive Palmer's Waratah Coal mine infringes upon human rights of future generations. It's the first time a group has successfully argued coal from a mine would impact human rights by contributing to climate change.
News you might have missed
More than 1,000 Qantas domestic flight attendants have voted in favour of strike action after being asked to work longer shifts and have shorter break times.
The Flight Attendants' Association of Australia said 99 per cent of votes received were in favour of industrial action.
Possible strikes could threaten domestic travel plans over Christmas.
Here's what Australia has been searching for online
Where to vote. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Liberal leader Matthew Guy are making their final pitches to voters, as the state prepares to head to the polls tomorrow.
Powerball winner. A New South Wales resident has won $50 million. But the phone calls to the registered ticket holder have so far gone unanswered.
You're up to date!
ABC/wires
