Key events
PM optimistic in run-up to voice vote
Daniel Hurst
Anthony Albanese says he is optimistic the Australian people will vote yes to enshrining an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice in the constitution – but warns that some days may feel “rocky” and “tough”.
The prime minister, returning to the fold after a week of leave, will be in Hobart today to mark the beginning of the “Run for the Voice” which aims to further encourage support from across the political spectrum.
The ultra marathon runner and former federal Liberal MP Pat Farmer – who held the seat of Macarthur in NSW from 2001 to 2010 – is planning to run a 14,400km journey around Australia in support of the voice over the next six months.
In a speech at the launch event this morning, Albanese is expected to say Farmer has a long journey ahead of him but “we are all on a great journey together”.
Albanese will say the goal is “an Australia that recognises the unique privilege we have to share this ancient continent with the world’s oldest living culture, in our nation’s birth certificate”. He will also speak of “an Australia more united, more reconciled and with greater fairness and opportunity for all”:
For all of us, there will be days when the ground is rocky and the going is tough. There will be days when it’s all we can do to put one foot in front of the other.
But when we cross the finish line, the destination will be worth it.
Despite the federal Coalition formally opposing enshrining the voice in the constitution, the prime minister will say he has “always been optimistic about this referendum – because I’ve always been optimistic about the generosity of the Australian people”. He will say:
Australians everywhere are responding to the gracious, generous, patient invitation of the Uluru statement from the heart with their own instinctive fairness and decency.
Tory Shepherd
Lehrmann case inquiry
The inquiry into the handling of the Bruce Lehrmann case will hold an initial public hearing in Canberra today.
The board of inquiry, headed by former judge Walter Sofronoff KC, was called after a letter from director of public prosecutions Shane Drumgold to the ACT chief of police Neil Gaughan alleged police had tried to pressure him not to run the case and later sided with the defence.
The inquiry will examine the conduct of the police in the investigation of Brittany Higgins’ allegations against Lehrmann.
It was set up to make sure the Australian Capital Territory’s “framework for progressing criminal investigations and prosecutions is robust, fair and respects the rights of those involved”. Its website says:
Specifically, the inquiry will examine the conduct of criminal justice agencies involved in the trial of R v Lehrmann. Recent reporting and commentary in relation to the matter of R v Lehrmann raise issues that may have wider implications for the prosecution of criminal matters in the territory.
It will also be able to examine whether the investigation and trial were subject to political influence, Guardian Australia revealed. It is expected to report in June.
This morning, Sofronoff will remark on the nature and scope of the inquiry and hear applications for legal representatives to appear at future hearings. Public hearings are expected to start at the end of the month.
Lehrmann has denied raping Higgins and pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual intercourse without consent. His first trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct and the second did not proceed due to prosecutors’ fears for Higgins’ mental health.
Good morning!
The inquiry into the handling of the Bruce Lehrmann case will hold an initial public hearing in Canberra today.
The board of inquiry was called after a letter from director of public prosecutions, Shane Drumgold, to the ACT chief of police, Neil Gaughan, alleged police tried to pressure him not to run the case, and later sided with the defence.
Lehrmann has denied raping Brittany Higgins and pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual intercourse without consent. His first trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct and the second did not proceed due to prosecutors’ fears for Higgins’ mental health.
Anthony Albanese will be heading to Hobart today after a week’s leave, to farewell former Liberal member for Macarthur Pat Farmer as he embarks on a 14,400km “Run for the Voice”.
Albanese says he is optimistic the Australian people will vote yes to enshrining an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice in the constitution – but warns some days may feel “rocky” and “tough”.
Australians are losing a record amount to scammers, the consumer watchdog has found. The $3.1bn figure represents an 80% increase from last year.
The minister for foreign affairs, Penny Wong, will be addressing the National Press Club today. She will say Australia’s foreign policy goal is to create a region “where no country dominates and no country is dominated”.
A Senate inquiry report into a bill that would freeze billions of dollars in student debt will be tabled in federal parliament today. The Australian Greens have proposed a bill to abolish indexing Hecs, as Australian graduates potentially face up to a 7% hike to debt in June this year due to spiking inflation.
Let’s get into it!
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