LAWYERS V MORRISON

Note: This story discusses sexual assault and suicide.

Former solicitor-general Justin Gleeson has called on Scott Morrison to enlist his successor, Stephen Donaghue, in determining whether Christian Porter is fit and proper to remain attorney-general in the wake of historical rape allegations.

The ABC notes Gleeson also called on Morrison, who did not seek Donaghue’s advice before dismissing an independent inquiry into Porter, to read the 31-page dossier outlining the claims denied by the attorney-general.

Morrison, as The New Daily explains, yesterday again claimed that an inquiry into the claims would erode “the rule of law” — despite multiple legal organisations backing an independent investigation and the fact Australia has a long history of royal commissions and inquiries — and noted he does not “anticipate” Porter to return to parliament next week.

Elsewhere, The Age reports that law firm MinterEllison is divided after partner and defamation lawyer Peter Bartlett advised Porter, with chief executive Annette Kimmitt last Wednesday emailing more than 2000 staff to say taking on Porter as a client had “triggered hurt” for her and apologising for “causing hurt” to staff.

Bartlett, in response, said he was thanked by the Prime Minister’s Office and that Morrison and Porter “are the leaders of one of the firm’s largest clients”. MinterEllison is currently working on $93 million of government contracts, with some staff reportedly concerned their handling of the scandal could threaten this relationship.

PS: According to Guardian Australia, former Liberal staffer Rachelle Miller has engaged Gordon Legal to bring a workplace harassment suit against Alan Tudge and Michaelia Cash, over allegations Miller was bullied while working as a senior media adviser while she was in a consensual affair with Tudge and, subsequently, during her employment with Cash.

1800 Respect: 1800 737 732; Lifeline: 13 11 14.

TWO DEATHS IN CUSTODY IN NSW

Note: This story discusses suicide.

NSW Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin has defended the decision not to announce that two Indigenous Australians died in custody in Sydney last week, telling a budget estimates committee that public announcements would not be appropriate in the absence of additional details and would “cause a lot of anger, a lot of angst, and a lot of grief”.

A woman, 44, died apparently by suicide while serving an eight-month sentence while a man, 35, died while being treated for “multiple” health issues in Long Bay prison’s hospital, although the nature of his death was not disclosed. Their deaths follow more than 430 others since 1991’s Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

On why all known “hanging points” have not been removed from cells despite this being a royal commission recommendation, Severin said there is no dedicated budget for the issue and their removal is part of a “risk-based approach to modifying cells”.

The decision not to publicly disclose deaths in custody was criticised by Greens MP David Shoebridge at budget estimates and, subsequently, CEO of the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Karly Warner.

PS: As Guardian Australia reports, Victoria yesterday became the first Australian jurisdiction to launch a truth commission into the ongoing effect of violent colonisation on Indigenous people, a “Yoo-rrook justice commission” that will have the powers of a royal commission and has been compared to South Africa’s truth and reconciliation commission.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

HUNT HOSPITALISED

Health Minister Greg Hunt has been admitted to hospital with a suspected infection, which the ABC notes is not believed to be related to the AstraZeneca vaccine administrated over the weekend.

The news comes after Dan Andrews suffered damage to his vertebrae and ribs after falling on wet stairs yesterday morning, and was yesterday evening transferred to The Alfred trauma centre as a precaution. Deputy Premier James Merlino has taken on the premier’s responsibilities.

Finally, The West Australian reports that a female electorate officer for Mark McGowan was taken to hospital as a precaution, after a man hurled an aluminium foil-wrapped package containing powder and a note into his Rockingham office just four days from the state election. Federal Labor MP Madeleine King’s office also received a tin foil package and envelope containing an “unhinged” letter.

SA GETS SOME CRAP NEWS

Finally, SA Health has called on anyone with COVID-19 symptoms — no matter how mild — who has been in Adelaide’s CBD during the past week to get tested, after they found a second “strong” result for the virus in wastewater.