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ABC News
National
Tom Williams

The Loop: Scott Morrison's self-appointments while PM being investigated, women killed in Sydney shooting named, and the weird ways US Capitol rioters have tried to profit

Hi there. It's Monday, August 15 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.

One thing to know: Scott Morrison's secret ministry grabs are being investigated 

It's been a big day for news about Australia's former prime minister, Scott Morrison.

Here's what you need to know:

  • Mr Morrison appointed himself as the joint minister for health, finance and resources while he was PM during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The Australian public wasn't told, and neither were all of his cabinet ministers
  • Governor-General David Hurley confirmed he secretly signed documents which allowed Mr Morrison to administer other portfolios. He said it was consistent with the constitution
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ordered an investigation into Mr Morrison's appointments, labelling reports about them as "extraordinary" and "completely unacceptable"
  • Mr Morrison, who is still an MP,  told Sky News that he has not seen what Mr Albanese said, and "since leaving the job I haven't engaged in any day-to-day politics"

If you want to go more in depth on what happened (and what could happen next), check out this explainer by Kate Ainsworth.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison appointed himself to three additional portfolios during the COVID-19 pandemic. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

Today we heard more about the women killed in Sydney's weekend shooting

Two women who were shot dead in a car in Sydney on the weekend were named today as 48-year-old Lametta Fadlallah and 39-year-old Amy Hazouri.

Both women were hit by bullets while sitting in a car outside a house in the south-west Sydney suburb of Panania on Saturday night.

Ms Hazouri, who police said had no criminal links, worked as a hairdresser in the nearby suburb of Bankstown. Authorities say she is believed to be a "completely innocent party" caught up in the targeted shooting.

Investigators confirmed Ms Fadlallah was known to police and had "past relationships with other known identities" in the underworld.

Amy Hazouri, 39, and Lametta Fadlallah, 48, were shot dead in a hail of bullets while sitting in a car outside a home on Hendy Avenue, Panania, on August 13 2022. (Supplied)

News you might have missed

  • Sixty-three-year-old Ali Rachid Ammoun has been charged with firearm offences and will undergo a mental health assessment after allegedly firing multiple rounds inside Canberra Airport yesterday afternoon. Luckily no-one was hurt during the incident
At least three bullet holes are visible in the glass windows of Canberra Airport. (ABC News: Harry Frost)
  • Saudi energy and oil giant Saudi Aramco has followed other major energy companies by posting a 90 per cent profit increase in the second quarter of this year, compared to the same time last year. It means the company's quarterly profit hit $US48.4 billion ($68 billion), after other oil companies such as Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Shell also had record quarters

Here's what Australia has been searching for online

  • Almería vs Real Madrid. Real Madrid recovered from conceding an early goal to beat Almeria 2-1 in their opening match of the La Liga season. Coach Carlo Ancelotti kept his word and made five changes to the starting 11 that won both the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup, including handing debuts to new signings Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni
Indians say they have much to celebrate as the nation marks 75 years of independence. (Reuters: Ajay Verma )
  • NDIS (The National Disability Insurance Scheme). NDIS Minister Bill Shorten says a police taskforce to hunt down organised crime groups exploiting the NDIS will be established by the government in the coming weeks. Australia's criminal intelligence agency believes billions of dollars are being defrauded from the scheme
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten is deriding the 'cowards' exploiting the most-vulnerable members of the community. (ABC News: Nicholas Haggarty)

One more thing: The weird ways some US Capitol rioters have tried to profit from it

It's been revealed that the US Justice Department is trying to retrieve money made by some of the people who rioted at the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021, while prosecutors are seeking tougher punishments for those who profited from their crimes.

Here are some of the more interesting examples of how some of the rioters tried to cash in:

  • One man released a rap album with riot-themed songs and a photo of him sitting on a police car on the cover

  • Another man helped his dad sell T-shirts, hats, water bottles and decals featuring slogans and images of the Capitol

  • A man charged donors $US100 for photos of him with his feet propped on US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk while he was on house arrest

  • Another man is hoping to turn his footage into a movie, and he apparently wants to be played by Leonardo DiCaprio

You're up to date!

We'll be back tomorrow with more news.

ABC/wires

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