| No images? Click here Quote to note“Who gets bit by a fox?" Asked US Republican Scott Perry. A pesky fox has been the talk of Capitol Hill after Democrat Ami Bera was “nipped on the leg” while walking to his office on Monday. A reporter was also bitten. No need to panic – the critter has been trapped and relocated to somewhere more appropriate for sly foxes. Actually, when you put it like that… Making news this morning1. A pensioner gave PM Scott Morrison a spray at a pub in Newcastle last night. Caught on camera, the man said he’s had a go but didn’t get a go – playing on a campaign slogan from the last election. Labor leader Anthony Albanese had his own issues yesterday. 2. Jeremy Rockliff will be signed up as Tasmania’s premier by week’s end, reports say this morning. So far, he’s the only candidate. 3. The US, UK and Australia are trying to build an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO", according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian. Speaking to China’s media overnight, he says this week’s announcements of developing hypersonic weapons will "undermine peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region". 4. A current Cabinet minister texted Michael Towke this week, encouraging him to speak publicly about his experiences with Scott Morrison. Speaking to Ten’s The Project last night, Towke wouldn’t name the senior government member. 5. ALP strategist Cameron Milner says Albanese can’t be a small target this election. Writing for The Australian (PW), Bill Shorten’s former chief of staff/ALP state secretary says the seat-by-seat race to win government means Labor needs to get out there. Going deeper: Are we there yet?Google’s search engine is over-revving with the question “when is the next federal election?” What’s certain is it’s either 14 or 21 May. And you can stand down for it being called today because PM Scott Morrison has ruled that out. But he’s wide open after that… ● Polling day can’t be later than 21 May without things getting complicated. We have to have federal elections every 3 years in Australia, and 2019’s election was held on 18 May. ● A campaign must be a minimum of 33 days and held on a Saturday. So the PM only has a couple of days up his sleeve if he wants to make it 14 May. ● As for 21 May, it would have to be called by 18 April, and announcing that gets complicated because of Easter. But remember, it’s up to Morrison if he wants a longer election campaign – so he could call the election this weekend for either 14 or 21 May. What it means: Really long campaigns haven’t been awfully successful in Australia (PW). Bob Hawke won (but lost some bark) in a 54-day campaign in 1984, and Malcolm Turnbull had a similar bruising experience after an 8-week odyssey in 2016. What’s next: Only the PM can tell us. But that hasn’t stopped political nerds from keeping their eyes peeled… Things like watching if the Governor-General is at home, whether staffers are moving-in into Campaign HQs, and ad time being bought up on the TV networks. With friends like these…Labor leader Anthony Albanese is still a bit of an unknown quantity to many Australians despite being an MP for more than 25 years. So it certainly doesn’t hurt his profile or reputation to be out and about with popular Labor premiers. ● This week he’s had picture opportunities with Queensland’s Annastacia Palaszczuk and Western Australia’s Mark McGowan… And he got a glowing reference from the new South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas yesterday… ● When it comes to Liberal premiers, Scott Morrison was in Tassie over the weekend and had a short picture op with Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein, but he resigned on Monday. And argy-bargy over flood funding means things are fraught with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. What does it mean for Albanese: A lot had been made that yesterday was the first time McGowan had appeared with Albanese in 2 years, but McGowan says that’s rubbish and praised his federal colleague as a “fighter”. And what does it mean for Morrison: John Howard won plenty of elections when there was a sea of Labor Premiers in power, so it’s certainly not the biggest thing Morrison has to worry about. The US Supreme Court is close to getting its first black woman It’s a pretty big deal in the US that after 233 years of the Supreme Court, it’s about to get its first black woman on the bench. The Senate has put Ketanji Brown Jackson on track to be confirmed either today or tomorrow after 3 Republicans joined Democrats to advance her nomination. ● At the height of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, a group called "She Will Rise” was set up to help an African American woman get appointed to the highest court. ● Supreme Court nominations weren’t always so partisan in America. Bill Clinton nominated Ruth Bader Ginsburg back in 1993, and she was endorsed 96 to 3. What it means: It wasn’t a done deal that any Republicans would support Brown Jackson’s nomination, so the fact that 3 have backed her – including former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney- is significant. Why it counts: Only 7 Supreme Court justices haven’t been white in more than 2 centuries. And President Joe Biden wants to appoint the first black woman to be part of his legacy. Quick shotsVoters thinking about casting the ballot for someone other than the major parties should vote Green, leader Adam Bandt says. The party risks falls in support this election from Climate200 independents and ‘voices of’ candidates. Crossbench MPs say there will be no deals in a hung parliament. The SMH/Age has surveyed Andrew Wilkie, Helen Haines, Zali Steggall, Rebekha Sharkie and Bob Katter – all but Katter say they aren’t up for negotiations. The federal election preselection process has been “a debacle” for the Liberal Party, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says. He vowed to ensure there’s no repeat ahead of the state election in 2023. PM Morrison has rejected the Queensland Government’s flood funding ask of $365 million. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk asked for assistance with government buybacks and flood-proofing renovations of flood-affected homes – the Feds say that’s a state responsibility. Labor must pursue an Indigenous voice to parliament in its first term if it wins office, former PM Paul Keating and Indigenous Leader Noel Pearson say. Keating says Labor should be “on the front foot” negotiating a treaty with our First Australians. Labor will limit its transcription service of press conferences and campaign appearances for Labor figures other than for the leader and campaign spokespeople during the election campaign (PW). That’s seen the party accused of trying to "dodge scrutiny”. Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate has a spiritual adviser on the payroll, and she believes the region’s Home of the Arts (HOTA) gallery is "a demonic stronghold”. Reports say Sue Baynes believes in an ideology that promotes religious influence over government dealings. Chart of the day About a month back, a lot was made of the US and UK banning imports of Russian oil. But while the European Union is so dependent on Russian energy, big bickies are still flowing into Moscow’s bank account. It’s why so much is riding on the next wave of proposed EU sanctions with a ban on coal imports from Russia, and discussions about cutting the cord on oil and gas. What’s on todayFrom 7.00am – Health workers in NSW will walk off the job over demands for a pay rise 9.30am – Environment Minister Sussan Ley fronts the media to speak about the completion of an Antarctic season led by our new icebreaker RSV Nuyina – Hobart 10.30am – The Clive Palmer/Mark McGowan defamation case is back in the Federal Court – Sydney 12.00pm – Paul Fletcher, the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts addresses the Queensland Media Club – Brisbane 12.30pm (AEST) – Mining magnate/United Australia Party chairman Clive Palmer addresses the National Press Club – Canberra The Bureau of Stats releases its latest update on International Trade in Goods and Services (February) *All times in AEST unless noted |
