‘Fact-finding’ mission to look at $300,000 payout for Australian public servant after relationship declared

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Cate Saunders was seconded to Services Australia but accepted an incentive payment to retire from public service in 2023

The Department of Parliamentary Services has ordered an independent “fact-finding” mission into the role its officials played in a $300,000 payout to a former deputy secretary, who was moved to another department after a “close personal relationship” was declared.

Appearing before Senate estimates on Monday, the acting secretary, Jaala Hinchcliffe, addressed a number of open questions about the parliamentary department, after a series of high-profile integrity issues.

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Japan successfully launches a defense satellite carried by a new flagship H3 rocket – ABC News

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  1. Japan successfully launches a defense satellite carried by a new flagship H3 rocket  ABC News
  2. Kyodo News Digest: Nov. 4, 2024  Kyodo News Plus
  3. Japan launches Kirameki 3 military communications satellite with H3 rocket  SpaceNews
  4. Japan launches defense satellite on new flagship H3 rocket  The Associated Press
  5. Japan launches military communications satellite on 4th flight of H3 rocket (video)  Space.com
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New Queensland government bins Labor’s hydro project set to be key part of renewable transition

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LNP energy minister rules out considering a smaller version of the Pioneer Burdekin scheme

Queensland’s new Liberal National party government has cancelled a Labor hydro project despite public service advice that a downsized version of the scheme would have delivered “exceptional value on both a capacity and storage basis”.

Announced under premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in 2022, the gigantic Pioneer Burdekin pumped hydro scheme formed a key element of the state’s legislated plan for a renewables transition by 2035.

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Independent MPs cancel airline VIP memberships – as it happened

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This blog is now closed

In case you missed it – political editor Karen Middleton talked to shadow transport minister Bridget McKenzie about the Qantas saga for the Australian Politics podcast – please enjoy McKenzie’s nimble wordcraft:

Westpac has recorded a $7bn full-year profit, representing a modest decline on last year’s strong result, as the number of homeowners falling behind on repayments jumped higher.

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Heatwave to turn parts of Australia into ‘one of the hottest places in the world’ this week

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Some of the east coast and the north will bake in a furnace of potentially life-threatening heat, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts

A heatwave is due to strike Australia’s east coast, with temperatures expected above 40C, making the country’s north “one of the hottest places in the world” this week, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast.

Residents in northern New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory are being warned to brace for unsettled weather through the week, starting on Monday, as a mass of heat moves eastward from central Australia.

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Pakistan shuts primary schools for a week in Lahore due to dangerous air quality – The Associated Press

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  1. Pakistan shuts primary schools for a week in Lahore due to dangerous air quality  The Associated Press
  2. Video: Hazardous Smog Cloaks Pakistan’s 2nd-Largest City  The New York Times
  3. Lahore air pollution hits historic high, forcing school closures  NBC News
  4. This Is The World's Most Polluted City, 6 Times Worse Than Delhi  NDTV
  5. Pakistan province calls for ‘climate diplomacy’ with India as record smog chokes major city  CNN
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Myanmar junta chief to make first China visit since seizing power – Reuters

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  1. Myanmar junta chief to make first China visit since seizing power  Reuters
  2. Head of Myanmar's military government visits close ally China for the first time since taking power  The Associated Press
  3. Myanmar military government chief on first visit to ally China since coup  Al Jazeera English
  4. Myanmar Ethnic Groups Slam China as They Begin Talks With India  Bloomberg
  5. Myanmar Junta-Linked Businessmen Head to China Ahead of Min Aung Hlaing’s Visit  The Irrawaddy
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Putin and his puppets stole the Georgian election – POLITICO Europe

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  1. Putin and his puppets stole the Georgian election  POLITICO Europe
  2. Thousands rally again in Georgia to protest the parliamentary election they say was rigged  The Associated Press
  3. Georgia’s ruling party crushes the country’s European dream  The Economist
  4. Edward Lucas: 'Georgia Is Heading In The Direction Of Belarus'  Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
  5. Euroviews. Did we just witness Georgia go from dream to nightmare?  Euronews
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