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Convicted rapist MP Gareth Ward will face an urgent court hearing on Thursday after he sought an injunction from the New South Wales supreme court to stop his parliamentary colleagues expelling him from the state parliament.
The Minns government on Tuesday sought the hearing in the supreme court to lift an ex parte injunction granted the previous day to Ward. The injunction prevents parliament, until at least Thursday, from moving to expel Ward.
The parliament faced a potential constitutional showdown with the state’s supreme court after the leader of the Legislative Assembly, Ron Hoenig, told reporters the government did not believe the court had the constitutional power to restrain the parliament or any member from moving a motion in the lower house.
However, “out of respect for the court”, the parliament would apply for a more urgent hearing date, when it would seek to have the injunction lifted, Hoenig said.
Ward has said he will appeal against his July criminal convictions on three counts of indecent assault and one for sexual intercourse without consent involving two young men in 2013 and 2015.
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In video
Sydney Harbour completely disappeared under a thick fog on Tuesday morning. Dramatic footage captured the moment the fog lifted to reveal the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
What they said …
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“There is a risk there will be no Palestine left to recognise if the international community don’t move to create that pathway to a two-state solution.” – Penny Wong
The foreign affairs minister spoke on ABC about the urgency behind Australia’s commitment. Earlier, Anthony Albanese had used a call with the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, to reaffirm Australia’s commitment to a two-state solution saying: “A just and lasting peace depends upon it.”
Full Story
Is Australia a conspiracy theory nation?
Conspiracy theories and fringe ideas are now increasingly a visible part of Australian politics and public life. But what pushes people to abandon our shared reality, and what is responsible for the rapid rise in false truths?
Reged Ahmad talks with Ariel Bogle and Cam Wilson about the threat conspiracy theories pose to Australia.
Listen to the episode here
Before bed read
After a lifetime of cooking for the multitudes, writer and former caterer Elizabeth Quinn adapted to cooking for one. It’s been both a relief and a revelation. Single householders aged 65 and over are increasing as a proportion of the population, so from olives to chickpeas and dukkah, here are 20 pantry, fridge and freezer essentials for households frying solo.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: MUD. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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