Christine Holgate deserves an apology. (SMH, Alex Ellinghausen)
Christine Holgate is owed an apology from Prime Minister Scott Morrison after she was unfairly dismissed, a Senate Committee has found.
Concluding its inquiry into her departure, it recommended Communications Minister Paul Fletcher and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham do so also, with Senator Pauline Hanson saying both were “equally culpable”.
The Senators also called for her old boss and adversary, chair Lucio Di Bartolomeo, stand down as well.
The federal government may not have realised it at the time, but its handling of the Christine Holgate saga has been akin to kicking a hornet’s nest. If it hadn’t before, there is now no avoiding the stings.
Coalition s $30m airport land deal incompetent, not corrupt macrobusiness.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from macrobusiness.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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A review commissioned by the Department of Infrastructure of its controversial Leppington Triangle land deal found no evidence of criminality and said the $30 million paid could have been less than if the acquisition had dragged through the courts.
The purchase of land for Sydneyâs second airport also complied with the relevant laws, was correctly authorised by decision-makers and had appropriate visibility and consultation with the Finance Department, the reviewâs findings state. Infrastructure Department secretary Simon Atkinson says it will adopt the reportâs recommendations to improve processes.Â
Alex Ellinghausen
âThis review has identified no evidence to suggest poor integrity, criminal activity or personal benefit for officers involved in the transaction, which contributed to actions taken or decisions made,â it said.
Australia to reward environmental protection
The Guardian
Australian Minister of Agriculture David Littleproud, has said Australian business is “hungry” to pay farmers to protect biodiversity under a “world-first” scheme designed to reward environmental improvements alongside emissions reduction.
Last week’s federal budget included funding for a multistage agriculture biodiversity stewardship package that aims to make it attractive for farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lift biodiversity protection on their land.
The goal in part is to create a climate and environment policy that appeals to farmers, and would not be criticized by Coalition lawmakers otherwise opposed to steps to reduce emissions.