The daily NIRS News half hourly update, for July 12, 2016
Scullion could be removed from cabinet
The future of Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion is in doubt amid speculation he’ll be removed from cabinet to make way for ambitious Nationals colleagues.
The ABC is reporting Senator Scullion may step down or be asked to go.
Junior minister Matthew Canavan, tipped to be in line for promotion following the party’s strong result in the election, says any changes to the ministry will be a matter for leader Barnaby Joyce.
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Turnbull turns attention to governing
The speculation comes as Malcolm Turnbull has been given the royal nod to form a government after securing a parliamentary majority – enough for the coalition to govern in its own right.
Labor leader Bill Shorten conceded defeat in the federal election on Sunday, and yesterday Mr Turnbull wrote to Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove formally advising him the Coalition was in a position to form a ministry.
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Man shot at house in Sydney’s west
Police are hunting for a gunman who shot a young man at a house in Sydney’s west early this morning.
Police were called to a property in Francis Street at Fairfield about 5.30am, and found the injured man, who is aged in his 20s.
The Daily Telegraph has reported he was shot multiple times in the back and leg, and emergency services arrived after the victim’s brother made a frantic call for help. He’s been taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
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Hunt for two NSW prison escapees
And still in New South Wales, the hunt continues for two men who escaped a minimum-security prison in NSW’s west over the weekend, with police urging the public not to approach them.
Geoffrey Fieldsend, 30, and Richard Reginald Pretty, 29, are believed to be travelling in a stolen black and silver ute around the Ivanhoe and Cobar areas.
They were last seen at a prison in Ivanhoe about 6pm on Saturday.
Both men are described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall with light-coloured hair. They may be wearing prison greens.
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Hunt for Melbourne slasher
A woman has been attacked after getting off a tram in Melbourne over the weekend.
Police say the 23-year-old got off the tram on Toorak Road just before 1am on Saturday and was assaulted by an unknown man.
A struggle ensued before the man lunged at her and ran off, moments later she realised she had a slash wound on her abdomen requiring hospital treatment.
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Baird faces internal fight over greyhounds
The NSW coalition government is facing an internal revolt over its move to shut down the greyhound racing industry.
The NSW Nationals appear to be at odds over the contentious ban, with some members including Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson saying it will hurt regional communities.
Premier Mike Baird and Nationals leader Troy Grant’s move to announce the measure last week without consulting National Party members was ill-advised, Ms Hodgkinson says.
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Vic Uber drivers in the clear
Charges against 11 Uber drivers in Victoria have been dropped and an appeal case against another will not be pursued by the state’s taxi regulator.
The decision by the Taxi Services Commission to drop the cases comes as the state government moves to legalise the ride sharing service.
In May, Uber driver Nathan Brenner won an appeal against a $900 fine and charges that he illegally picked up passengers.
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Snow and cold weather for southern Australia
Snow has been forecast in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, as severe weather moves across the south of the country.
The Adelaide Hills has snow forecast for later today, and Tasmania is also likely to receive a fall as low as sea level, the result of a large cold front approaching from the west.
Snow is also forecast for parts of Victoria, with residents being warned to brace for damaging thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds as the low pressure system sweeps across the state sending temperatures plummeting.
The SES are warning the public to drive to the conditions and look out for hazards such as fallen trees and black ice.
