BREAKING: Moira Deeming has assured an organiser of the rally in Melbourne that she “never condemned” them or “KJ” (Posie Parker) — just hours after John Pesutto claimed she “condemned” comments by anti-trans activists she attended a rally and post-rally meeting with. #auspol
Pesutto today said the condemnations made by Deeming were “the most important part of this”, when justifying his backdown on her expulsion. Before changing his mind, Pesutto had previously said it would be “a great failure of leadership if I didn't take this action”.
Deeming's comments throw a major spanner in the works just before Pesutto is scheduled to appear on #abc730 — it is not yet known if the interview will be live (uh-oh) or pre-recorded.
FACT CHECK: Is the government really doing nothing to slow the spread?
THE CLAIM: Critics say the government has “given up” or “caved to big business” and is “doing nothing” to slow the spread.
VERDICT: False. Read on...
Australia is in the grip of a Winter wave and many people are sick. Hospitals are under pressure and while vaccines have allowed us to get as close to 'normal' as pandemic life allows, there are tragically many dying and, sadly, many deaths could be avoided with vaccines.
Vaccines are available to all Aussies over 5, and it is vanishingly rare to have a genuine medical reason to abstain. Vaccines are the reason we're not seeing death tolls many-fold higher, and unvaccinated people are massively overrepresented in hospitals and morgues.
CW — RUPERT MURDOCH'S extremist Fox News network has “put a target on the back” of a doctor who performed a critical abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim. Fox broadcast the name and photo of the doctor to its rabid audience, leading to grave concerns for her safety.
Fox News later pressed the Indiana Attorney-General to investigate the doctor who performed the life-saving surgery on the child. Following backlash, Fox tried to play down the episode and insisted the rape was a conspiracy theory, despite it being confirmed by authorities.
Fox News has been labelled the “Taliban of the West” over its rabidly extremist content, which has severely distorted US politics up to and beyond the January 6th insurrection led by far-right traitors. In Australia, Murdoch's Sky News is following a similarly extreme path.
MEDIA FIGHT BACK: The biggest story yesterday was Scott Morrison's bad day in Bass, following his debate loss. So naturally, media are fervently fighting back — here's a look at what's happened since: #auspol
1. The chair of Channel 9 personally intervenes in Kooyong.
2. At the same time, Channel 9 hands over its front page in a favour to the Liberals' devious Deves dog-whistling hate campaign against kids.
25 'pub test' voters will deliver their verdict after the debate.
Scott opens: A mix of 'mea culpa' and 'BUT' and already on to the broken record of 'strong economy', 'uncertainty' and 'shields'. Blaming the globe, glossing over mistakes and talking up failure. It's his usual word salad, but he looks tired and sad.
On the economy —
Howsa herse de burm in fascian. Married at first shite rershenship countant. Herma atters me and drill ya mouth. Iss kina revant and I concur writ permise.
On falling wages —
Ima know who's perminister. What a popular dentistry.
On Scott Morrison —
Discus ern is torp blork est amya. Unmarble ina gerd mern ana tell ya what, I tell ya what, we will krip isnation in gerd hens. Were ya now.
On teal independents —
Dern off inresponsible ferma hat. Ferma hat! Already crab in a mister, and canna say it Greens!
BREAKING: Anthony Albanese has defeated Scott Morrison in the second #LeadersDebate. While Channel 9's voting website did not work for the duration of the debate, it was a very clear victory for Albo. Morrison was shaken from the start, likely after seeing tonight's polls.
There will be one more leaders' debate before the election. Albanese has won two out of two so far.
Channel 9 audience 'Preferred PM' result:
Albo: 49%
Scott: 45%
Undecided: 6%
(Note: the voting website broke down for most of the debate).