Key posts
- Aboriginal flag to permanently replace NSW flag atop Sydney Harbour Bridge
- ‘We cannot retreat’: Businesses warn a return to work from home won’t work for them
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Aboriginal flag to permanently replace NSW flag atop Sydney Harbour Bridge
The NSW government has abandoned plans to install a third flagpole on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the Aboriginal flag to instead permanently replace the NSW colours atop the iconic landmark.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet last month revealed the government would pay $25 million for a third flagpole to be installed on the Harbour Bridge, but on Sunday confirmed to this masthead that the plan would no longer go ahead.
The government was planning on spending $25 million installing a third flagpole on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.Credit:Dylan Coker
Instead, Perrottet said he intends to divert the $25 million, which has already been set aside in the state budget, towards closing the gap initiatives.
“This is a practical and pragmatic solution which makes sense and ensures that we celebrate our nation’s ancient heritage alongside its modern history in a continuing story, which we can all be part of, and celebrate together as one,” Perrottet said.
The Aboriginal flag has been flying above the bridge for the past week as part of NAIDOC celebrations and was due to be pulled down ahead of Monday. Instead, it will remain there permanently.
Read the full article here.
Steve Bannon, facing jail, agrees to testify to Jan 6 committee
Washington: With his criminal trial for contempt of Congress approaching, Steve Bannon, an ally of former President Donald Trump who was involved in his plans to overturn the 2020 election, has informed the House committee investigating the Capitol attack that he is willing to testify, according to two letters obtained by The New York Times.
His decision is a remarkable about-face for Bannon, who until Saturday had been among the most obstinate and defiant of the committee’s potential witnesses. He had promised to turn the criminal case against him into the “misdemeanour from hell” for the justice department.
Steve Bannon, Donald Trump’s former chief strategist, has been indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress.Credit:AP
But with the possibility of two years in jail and large fines looming on the horizon, Bannon has been authorised to testify by Trump, his attorney told the committee in a letter late Saturday (local time).
The former president had previously instructed Bannon and other associates not to cooperate with the panel, claiming that executive privilege – a president’s power to withhold certain internal executive branch information –compelled them to stay silent. But in recent days, as several witnesses have come forward to offer the House panel damning testimony about his conduct, Trump has grown frustrated that one of his fiercest defenders has not yet appeared before the committee, people close to him said.
New York Times
‘We cannot retreat’: Businesses warn a return to work from home won’t work for them
Major business groups have rejected advice from state and federal chief health officers to consider allowing employees to work from home, warning that the fledgling economic recovery since the end of harsh lockdowns would be jeopardised.
While no state or territory government is contemplating a reintroduction of mask mandates indoors or work from home orders for now, they are not ruling it out if the winter wave of COVID-19 cases worsens or health advice changes.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee has encouraged employers to review their occupational health and safety risks and “consider the feasibility of some employees working from home and support employees to take leave when sick”.Credit: Louie Douvis
Many major workplaces allow a hybrid model with some days in the office and some at home, but health groups such as the Australian Medical Association are urging more restrictive measures such as mask mandates to help avoid hospitals becoming overwhelmed.
Ai Group’s Victorian head Tim Piper said a return to more remote work at this stage – especially if it were mandated – would hinder the progress that many businesses have made since heading back to face-to-face work early this year.
“The suggestion undermines the really good effort that employers and employees have made since Omicron really hit us in January,” he said.
Read the full article here.
This morning’s headlines at a glance
Good morning and thanks for your company.
It’s Monday, July 11. I’m Ashleigh McMillan and I’ll be anchoring our live coverage for the first half of the day.
Here’s what you need to know before we get started.
Novak Djokovic has won Wimbledon for the seventh time, beating Australian Nick Kyrgios in a match which took just over three hours. Djokovic won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) in a compelling match.
Major business groups have rejected advice from state and federal chief health officers to consider allowing employees to work from home, warning that the fledgling economic recovery since the end of harsh lockdowns would be jeopardised.
Women’s safety ministers will take their last steps towards finalising a 10-year plan to deal with violence against women and children the federal government hopes will put gender issues at the centre of policymaking. The first face-to-face meeting of federal, state and territory ministers since the federal election will be held in Adelaide on July 22.
- Steve Bannon, an ally of former President Donald Trump who was involved in his plans to overturn the 2020 election, has informed the House committee investigating the Capitol attack that he is willing to testify.
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