AAP Rolling News Bulletin Oct 16

Rolling News Bulletin 1600 AAP Rolling News Bulletin for Oct 16 at 1600

Hanson (CANBERRA) Government senators have now voted against a motion declaring "it's OK to be white" less than a day after their support for it sparked a humiliating backdown. Pauline Hanson on Monday brought forward the motion, which also declared "anti- white" racism was on the rise in Australia. The phrases have been used by far-right groups to stoke racial division. The original motion was defeated 31-28 despite support from government senators. The government accepted Labor's Senate leader Penny Wong's challenge to recommit the vote on Tuesday, with senators present voting unanimously against the motion. The government's leader in the upper house Mathias Cormann said he took personal responsibility for Monday's error, apologising to the Senate. "This is severely embarrassing," he told parliament.

Detention (CANBERRA) Asylum seeker children on Nauru would be given speedier medical transfers to Australia under new laws being introduced to parliament by the federal opposition. Labor has drafted the legislation in response to growing concerns by Australian doctors about the care provided to children and their families on Nauru. Three Liberal MPs have also taken the extraordinary step of demanding Prime Minister Scott Morrison get children off the Pacific island, citing serious fears about their health. Labor's proposed laws would give greater weight to the recommendation of treating clinicians and ensure the minister rather than department officials makes decisions on medical transfers. A minister would be given just 24 hours to make a determination on medical transfers, and there would be greater transparency over decisions to deny transfers to children.

Generators (ADELAIDE) The total cost of emergency generators secured by the former South Australian Labor government could surge to more than $600 million, the state government says. An independent report into the lease and upcoming purchase of the generators has been tabled in state parliament with the government describing Labor's decision as an expensive election stunt. But Energy Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan says the government won't move to sell them off but will seek to lease them out for 25 years to ensure they are only used to provide cheaper power for SA consumers. "In all likelihood, these generators will not be needed for emergencies into the future and by leasing them for 25 years they can help deliver more affordable and reliable power," Mr van Holst Pellekaan said on Tuesday.

PollVic (MELBOURNE) No matter who wins the Victorian election, Geelong and Ballarat have been promised faster trains to Melbourne in a game of one-upmanship between the major parties. Labor Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday revealed plans for a potential tunnel beneath Melbourne stretching to Sunshine as part of the airport rail link, and dedicated tracks for Geelong and Ballarat to speed up travel times. The proposed separation of regional and metro services on the two lines would involve extending electric services to Melton and Wyndham Vale. "This is about giving back to regional Victorians dedicated regional track so they're not ... competing with metro trains in the fastest growing part of our city," Mr Andrews told reporters. The travel time goal for Geelong-to-Melbourne is about 35 minutes and from Ballarat to Melbourne is less than an hour, with trains running about 200km/h.

Royals Sussex Fans (SYDNEY) After hours of waiting, royal fans were finally able to meet the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Sydney Opera House. And they weren't left disappointed. Prince Harry and Meghan descended the stairs of the Opera House holding hands as thousands of fans erupted in delight. The royal couple briefly parted ways to shake hands and warmly embrace some of those who had been waiting since early on Tuesday morning. After Harry bent down for a young boy and waved to another group of girls they were left beaming and yelled out "we love you Harry". Meghan, whose pregnancy was announced on Monday night, wore a beige trench coat over a tight-fitting cream dress by Australian designer Karen Gee that revealed a barely-there baby bump.

Burston (CANBERRA) Pauline Hanson could be referred to the Senate's powerful privileges committee over her treatment of former One Nation senator Brian Burston. Senate President Scott Ryan gave the green light for Senator Burston to move a motion on Wednesday to refer her over pressing him to resign from the upper house. If the matter is referred, an inquiry will look into whether Senator Hanson had interfered with the Clive Palmer-aligned Senator Burston's duties, potentially putting her in contempt of parliament. Senator Hanson and her former colleague had a bitter falling out after she reneged on a deal with the government to support company tax cuts. Senator Burston said he wanted to keep his word on the agreement, leading to him being kicked out of the party.

Indon Aust (CANBERRA) Prime Minister Scott Morrison has spoken directly with Indonesian President Joko Widodo as Australia considers a proposal to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. The ABC reports Indonesia, which has taken a strong stance in support of Palestinian independence, is considering suspending an imminent free trade deal in response to Australia's proposal. Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, and the free trade deal with Australia will be its first. "I have been in direct contact with President Joko Widodo over the course of last night and through this morning," Mr Morrison told parliament on Tuesday. "I have been pleased to be able to explain very clearly the nature of the announcements that I have made today.

Royals Sussex Reception (SYDNEY) Governor-General Peter Cosgrove has welcomed Meghan Markle to Australia for the first time saying her husband Prince Harry had been "almost a son of Australia". "We have been very anxious to have you here so we could adopt you as well," he told the royal couple at a reception at Admiralty House on Tuesday afternoon. Meghan changed into a dark olive shirt dress with a full skirt for the event after a busy morning at Taronga Zoo and meeting the public at the Opera House. The reception is being attended by Australians from a broad range of sectors, including charity and community, arts and culture, and entertainment and sport. Sir Peter congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the news they were expecting their first baby.

In finance ...

Telstra (SYDNEY) Telstra is considering an overhaul of how it calculates executive bonuses after suffering a first strike from shareholders opposed to its remuneration report. More than 60 per cent of investors voted against the communication giant's remuneration report at Tuesday's annual general meeting, raising the prospect of a board spill in 12 months if it doesn't address widespread unhappiness among shareholders. If more than 25 per cent of shareholders vote against the remuneration report at next year's AGM, it would constitute a second strike and trigger a forced spill. Chairman John Mullen told Tuesday's meeting that there could be merit to replacing complex remuneration calculations with a traditional payment structure such as half cash, half shares locked in for five years.

Legal: Cokacar (MELBOURNE) A young man who threatened to cut off another man's penis with a meat cleaver is finally remorseful after spending nearly a year in custody, a Melbourne court has been told. Shane Cokacar, 21, became involved in an attack on a man who had texted his friend, Beverley Brooks, asking for sexual services on November 17 last year. Brooks lured the victim to Cokacar's Mitcham apartment under the guise of him paying her for sex. But when the man arrived, Cokacar verbally abused him in a bid to "protect her honour" before binding him in d