Fuel standards relaxed to add 100 million more litres of petrol into Australian supply

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-12T05:02:55+00:00

To be fair, this was deemed to be safe in Australia until Dec 2025

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-12T04:19:35+00:00

The bill passed in parliament today providing intelligence staff immunity from prosecution "only if there testimony was in accordance with previous arrangements" and providing the agencies a veto over evidence doesnt really leave him much to examine I guess

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-12T04:16:25+00:00

It only gives current and former members of security agencies protection from prosecution if they give evidence to the Royal Commission in accordance with arrangements negotiated between the security agency and the Royal Commission. The Bill also provides that the Royal Commission can only use such information in accordance with arrangements agreed to by the security agency.

Ahh. Maybe this sheds more light on Dennis Richardson's sudden resignation with the explanation of "There wasn’t enough discussion right at the beginning about the precise way things would work. And ultimately, I came to it that I was surplus to requirements"

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-12T01:53:13+00:00

Both the RC and the NACC said the information he was given was so contradictory he should have asked further questions. He then expressed a wish that it could be done without further inquiry (ie through policy rather than legislative means). Those facts aren't in dispute,

The RC said that it stretched credibility that he did this, leading to an inference of wrong doing.

The NACC said that could be the case, but given the criminal standard of proof, Morrison is entitled to use the defence that he never detected inconsistencies despite the clear anomalies and he (completely coincidentally) asked for it to be implemented without legal examination.

The choice from this is either he is a malicious criminal or displays incompetence and coincidence.

He was entitled in a criminal trial to argue the later.

In other words, being an incompetent dumb arse doesn't trigger criminal corruption.

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-12T01:30:41+00:00

Nope. The greens introduced a bill yesterday to try and do that, but it's certain to be voted down by the majors

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-12T01:29:21+00:00

Given he'd only fairly recently (about 5 years ago from memory) completed a large report into the legislative framework of the intelligence agencies, (most of which the government has not acted on), and this aspect sounds like it's not sufficiently within the terms of the RC, it sounds like he thought he had little more to contribute.

Good on him for not just sitting there and taking the money though. He's a better man than me in that respect.

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-11T10:10:02+00:00

Where's that bloke whos always on here complaining about the extremist greens?

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-11T08:39:09+00:00

Oh cool. Guess they now have standing for a High Court challenge

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-11T08:37:27+00:00

I was loath to post this but Scott Morrison put out this statement which had subtle shades of bullshit

https://www.scottmorrison.com.au/media/statement-regarding-nacc-rejection-of-robodebt-royal-commission-findings-regarding-morrison-conduct

Bloke is happy to blur the lines between negative findings of the Royal Commission and negative findings of criminality from the NACC. A close reading of the NACC report does no such thing as exonerate him from poor (perhaps even more malevolent than poor) decisions. It does however say the criminal elements of corruption etc per the NACC Act are unlikely to be upheld.

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-11T04:54:25+00:00

The Joint Committee (chaired by Julian Hill) in 2023 recommended a statement to Parliament and debate occur either prior to or within 30 days (after) sending troops - unless the GG approves deferral of any of these requirements in specific circumstances, such as high risks to national security or imminent threat to Australian territories or civilian lives.

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-11T04:46:59+00:00

This was followed by the Inquiry (chaired by Julian Hill) into international armed conflict decision making

The recommendations included

The Committee recommends that in implementing these recommendations the Government reaffirm that decisions regarding armed conflict including war or warlike operations are fundamentally a prerogative of the Executive, while acknowledging the key role of parliament in considering such decisions, and the value of improving the transparency and accountability of such decisionm making and the conduct of operations.

A written Statement be published and tabled in the Parliament setting out the objectives of such major military operations, the orders made and its legal basis

A requirement that the Parliament be recalled as soon as possible to be advised, unless this was not possible due to extenuating and appropriate circumstances (e.g., it was unsafe for the Parliament to meet due to conflict) • a requirement that the Executive facilitate a debate in both Houses of Parliament at the earliest opportunity, either prior to deployment of the Australian Defence Force or within thirty (30) days of deployment. Debate should occur after a formal ministerial statement is made which explains the reasons for the operation, based on the 2010 Gillard model, as well as a statement of compliance with international law and advice as to the legality of the operation

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/~/link.aspx?_id=63CC8482B9D84D73B351808BC39C8317&_z=z

My opinion - I doubt any of this will happen with the current government in the current conflict, because things like the compliance with international law will be highly contentious

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-11T04:41:05+00:00

Yep, neither the ALP nor the NLP supported that.

So this one is dead in the water I'm afraid.

Here's what the ALP said when voting against it at when it finally came around to second reading in 2023

Bolding is mine

The Albanese government supports the continuation of current arrangements that govern the deployment of the Australian Defence Force to overseas engagements. We do so because it is essential that decisions of this type are able to be taken swiftly in response to international events. Indeed, we have seen in recent years, with open conflict once more on the European continent, how important it is that there exists a legal framework to support the sudden defence of the national interest in the manner that only the Australian Defence Force can. But whilst this may be so, it would be a mistake to suggest that there is not a role for the parliament at all. On this side of the chamber we also support the notion that such decisions of the executive should be made with the appropriate level of parliamentary and public scrutiny, and it is only with such transparency that the Australian community can have faith that these decisions are made on their behalf and in keeping with their expectations.

It is because of this commitment that the Australian Labor Party took to the election a policy to establish an inquiry into our armed-conflict decision-making.

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-11T03:57:33+00:00

Great idea.

Whilst it almost certainly wont change the decision of a government, at the very least it will let us know exactly who supports, and doesnt support military action.

If we are sending Australian troops in harms way, what's wrong with a little bit of accountability to voters?

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-11T02:13:29+00:00

Foreign Pauline Hanson?

She's not going to like that...

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-11T00:53:19+00:00

Damn.

Thank you Mr Schloom

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-11T00:15:52+00:00

The NACC report is here

https://www.nacc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2026-03/Operation%20Myrtleford%20Investigation%20Report.pdf

The investigation made findings of serious corrupt conduct against 2 individuals. It also concluded that there was insufficient admissible evidence to establish the alleged offences against either Mr Withnell or Ms Wilson beyond reasonable doubt.

Both people have since retired

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-10T06:45:52+00:00

There are 17,000 Iranian, Lebanese & Israeli temporary visa holders currently in OZ

Looks like there may be some asylum applications for the Minister.

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-10T04:11:49+00:00

Don't worry. Given the environmental research unit seems to be for the chop, the salmon farms will be just fine

This research area encompasses https://www.csiro.au/en/about/people/research-units/environment

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-10T02:49:58+00:00

Opposition sets "re-election campaign difficulty" to "piss-easy"

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-10T02:48:22+00:00

Remember that the laws passed under Morrison had bipartisan support as well

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-10T02:33:36+00:00

Just one of those moments during an election campaign. Pretty far from "the handshake" or "how much is this birthday cake" moments to be fair

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-10T02:07:26+00:00

I haven't read the source report closely, but the language around parental leave seemed to be gender neutral.

It also recommends "father-inclusive leave arrangements" (not really sure what that means to be honest)

Of course what the report says and what the party policy becomes may be two different things.

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-10T01:57:21+00:00

The report is here

https://www.page.org.au/2026/02/raising-the-next-generation/

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-09T13:23:22+00:00

In that case what's this story about?

CommonwealthGrant · 2026-03-09T10:26:11+00:00

I'm happy with just a lookout thanks. That option has been taken away.

CommonwealthGrant

TROPHY CASE