World news and comment from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk

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World news and comment from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk

MH370 search shifts 700 miles closer to Australia live updates

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 01:39 AM PDT

  • New search area based on recalculation of plane's speed
  • Revised zone increases search flight time
  • Images of potential debris further south now in doubt
  • Relatives to be offered flights to Perth if wreckage is found

Angry relatives of the lost passengers have staged another protest at Malaysia in Beijing by staging a walk out of briefing by Malaysian officials.

Mass walk-out by over 300 relatives of #MH370 Chinese passengers after an hour, in protest of "useless" briefing. pic.twitter.com/Vx95GZvY1M

One #MH370 relative stayed and asked Msia officials if lives are more impt than national interest - and left without hearing their answer.

The new revised location for MH370 is said to be the most "credible" lead about the plane's whereabouts, since the last most "credible" lead showed what was thought to be a debris field hundreds of miles to the south-west.

Explaining the new calculations Martin Dolan, chief commissioner of the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau, said:

It is an iterative process and is being refined over time but what we have at the moment is the most credible location of the entry to the water and therefore the place to search.

Welcome to our live coverage of the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 after the hunt for the wreckage took another twist almost three weeks after the plane went missing.

Here's a summary of the latest developments:

Turkey blocks YouTube amid 'national security' concerns

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 01:39 AM PDT

Turkish PM's office claim voice recordings posted to YouTube created 'national security issue' leading to website block one week after restricting access to Twitter

The Turkish government reinforced its heavily criticised clampdown on social media on Thursday, blocking YouTube a week after it restricted access to the micro-blogging platform Twitter. The latest curbs came hours after an audio recording of a high-level security meeting was leaked on the video-sharing website.

According to Turkish media reports, the decision to block YouTube was taken by Turkeys telecommunications authority (TB) as a precautionary administrative measure. In February, Turkey passed a much criticised new internet law that allows the telecommunications regulator to block websites without a court order. Turkey previously banned YouTube in 2007, but lifted the ban three years later.

US woman jailed for pushing new husband off cliff

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 01:33 AM PDT

Jordan Linn Graham sentenced to 30 years for second-degree murder of Cody Johnson eight days after their wedding

An American woman who pushed her newlywed husband off a cliff has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after a judge rejected her request to withdraw her guilty plea to a charge of second-degree murder.

Jordan Linn Graham, 22, took the stand during her sentencing hearing to offer a tearful apology to the family of Cody Johnson, 25, who died eight days after their wedding last summer.

China tries to soothe anxious markets after weak forecasts

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 01:33 AM PDT

President Li Keqiang says if needed Beijing government ready to prop up sectors of economy after data shows downward trends

China's premier, Li Keqiang, sought to reassure jittery global investors that Beijing was ready to support the cooling economy, saying the government had the necessary policies in place and would push ahead with infrastructure investment.

Recent weak economic data and mounting signs of financial risks have dimmed outlook for the world's second-largest economy, sparking talk of imminent government action or even a mini-stimulus plan to shore up growth.

Oscar Pistorius trial is postponed live

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 01:28 AM PDT

The trial of Oscar Pistorius is adjourned to 7 April when the defence will open its case, with the athlete expected to be first to take the stand

Sky News' Martin Brunt reports that the court assessor involved is Janette Henzen du Toit, who is apparently in hospital.

Pistorius' chief lawyer, Barry Roux, isn't speaking to reporters as he leaves the court following the unexpected adjournment.

#OscarPistorius Barry Roux leaves court building. Asked whether he so disappointed,he just smiles.RE pic.twitter.com/CdzI4bDIAI

The court assessors one of whom is ill, forcing a postponement of the trial are legal experts appointed by Judge Thokozile Masipa to assist in the trial. There is no jury.

As Masipa said today, without both assessors the court is not "properly constituted", and so the trial cannot proceed.

#Pistorius Oscar leaves court and must wait at least 10 days to give evidence. pic.twitter.com/FA1sdV1rsl

Judge Masipa: "We cannot proceed this morning... One of my assessors is not well... I suggest we postpone this matter until 7 April."

Masipa: "This matter will be postponed until Monday the 7th of April 2014 at 9.30." Court adjourned. #Pistorius

This was supposed to be the recess week but all sides have agreed to come back to court on that date.

One of the court assessors is ill and today's proceedings have been postponed.

Reporters in Pretoria say the courtroom is packed in anticipation of Pistorius giving evidence today we still don't know that he will, although most expect him to be the first witness for the defence when it opens today.

It's also expected that when Pistorius does give his testimony, audio will be broadcast but the cameras in the court will not be able to show him. This was decided by a different judge in a ruling in February:

Expert witnesses' testimony can be shown but not that of Pistorius or his witnesses. Restrictions could be placed on other witness testimony if they object to being shown on TV The court would then consider showing such testimonies from behind the witness or obscuring their face.

No parts of confidential discussions between Pistorius and his lawyers could be broadcast in any way.

The Guardian's David Smith, who is covering the case from Pretoria, has also assessed the key questions the defence will have to answer. You can read it in full here.

This is not a whodunnit but a whydunnit, with only one eyewitness: Pistorius himself. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel acknowledged on the first day of the trial that all of the evidence is necessarily circumstantial. The 27-year-old's character will therefore be under the microscope. A convincing performance on the witness stand could spell the difference between life in jail or a chance to resurrect his sporting career.

Pistorius has arrived in court.

#Pistorius Oscar and guards arrive for first day of defence case. Big question - will he be the first witness? pic.twitter.com/khgnuqYxpP

Welcome to live coverage of day 16 of the trial of Oscar Pistorius for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp. Today the defence will open its case, and Pistorius is expected to be the first witness to give evidence, although this hasn't yet been confirmed. Here is a quick recap of the latest developments:

On Tuesday the state concluded its case. Prosecutors will not set out their final argument until the end of the trial, but their case has focused on evidence from text and WhatsApp exchanges showing Pistorius and Steenkamp argued and testimony that several neighbours heard terrified screams and gunshots. They have sought to portray the athlete as fanatical about guns and reckless in using them.

Four neighbours have testified they heard a womans screams, silenced by the final gunshots. If this testimony is upheld, it alone could be enough to convict Mr Pistorius of murder, since it implies that he continued shooting after he knew who was behind the door.

The defence will argue that the "womans screams were actually uttered by Mr Pistorius as he screamed for help. It will also argue that the gunshots were the noise of a cricket bat on the door as Mr Pistorius battered it down to try to save Ms Steenkamps life.

Pistorius has provided no indication that he even attempted to establish the whereabouts of Steenkamp before arming himself and approaching the perceived threat.

Pistorius says in the bail application that he fired the shots and then called to Steenkamp to call the police, but she did not respond. Pistorius then retreated to the bed, and once he got there still in pitch darkness it dawned upon him that Reeva could have been in the toilet.

Perhaps we've been distracted by all the talk of restaurant gunfire, screams, and angry texts. It's been made clear to me that the prosecution believes their case is watertight even if we accept Pistorius' own version of events.

In other words if someone fires four shots through a locked door then he obviously intended to kill someone, and thus should be convicted of murder (pre-meditated or otherwise).

UN brands polio outbreak in Syria and Iraq 'most challenging in history'

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 01:17 AM PDT

Security issues, damaged health infrastructure and large-scale displacement pose major obstacles to immunisation coverage

A UN agency has described the reappearance of polio in Syria and Iraq as perhaps "the most challenging outbreak in the history of polio eradication" and repeated warnings that the virus could spread across the Middle East.

Is America's relationship with Saudi Arabia broken beyond repair?

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 01:12 AM PDT

Barack Obama will use visit to Riyadh to reassure a kingdom unhappy at US appeasement of Iran and ambivalence over Syria

Barack Obama arrives in Riyadh seeking rapprochement with an aggrieved Arab ally whose interests are increasingly at odds with its key western backer.

The president's flying visit no more than an evening in the Saudi King's palace is his first since the ousting of Hosni Mubarak, which drove an initial wedge between both capitals.

Briton found dead after yacht blaze in Caribbean

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 12:56 AM PDT

Death of John Garner off coast of St Vincent is being treated as suspicious and police are understood to be seeking his wife

A British sailor has been found dead on a burnt-out life raft after his yacht was destroyed by fire in the Caribbean.

The man, named in reports as John Garner, 53, was discovered on the raft by the coastguard off St Vincent on Wednesday afternoon. He is believed to have suffered injuries to his head and both legs and was taken to the island's Milton Cato Memorial hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Energy companies sign deal allowing NSW farmers to say no to coal seam gas

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 12:08 AM PDT

Land access deal means Santos and AGL cannot drill without farmers consent

Energy companies Santos and AGL have signed an agreement with farmers in NSW that will allow landholders to refuse coal seam gas activities on their properties.

The deal will allow a farmer to say no to coal seam gas and bar entry to gas companies if permission is explicitly refused.








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Barack Obama arrives in Saudi Arabia for brief visit with upset Arab ally

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 12:08 AM PDT

Saudi Arabia is aggrieved with the US and the president will use his visit to assure the Kingdom that he is not neglecting them

Barack Obama arrives in Riyadh on Friday seeking rapprochement with an aggrieved Arab ally whose interests are increasingly at odds with its key western backer.

The US President's flying visit no more than an evening in the Saudi king's palace is his first since the ousting of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, which drove an initial wedge between Washington and Riyadh.

Afghanistan election officials say state employees are aiding candidate

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 12:08 AM PDT

Independent Election Commission alleges state resources in eastern Paktia province are being used to back presidential candidate Zalmai Rassoul

Afghan election organisers have warned president Hamid Karzai that government employees have thrown state resources behind one of the main candidates vying to replace him, a senior official said.

The president should fire the man responsible, who was backing the former foreign minister Zalmai Rassoul, or risk sending voters the message that Karzai is also taking sides in next week's vote, said Independent Election Commission chairman Yusuf Nuristani.

Joe Hockey spruiks asset sale incentive, Peter Cosgrove sworn in

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 11:52 PM PDT

All the pomp and ceremony from Canberra as former army man Cosgrove takes up his new life as the Governor General, and treasurers meet to discuss asset sales

That brings to a close our live coverage of today's political developments.

A recap of the main events:

Peter Cosgrove was sworn in as Australia's 26th governor general. The retired general is now our governor general and also a 'sir'. Cosgrove said he came to the job "agenda free" and aimed to reflect the community back to itself. Tony Abbott heaped praise on the former commander of peace-keeping forces in East Timor, as did Bill Shorten, whose mother-in-law, Dame Quentin Bryce, was farewelled this week. Monarchists rejoiced.

Following Scott Morrison's announcement that today is the 99th consecutive day since a successful people smuggling venture to Australia (see 2.23pm post), journalist Oliver Laughland has written an opinion piece questioning the "terrible human cost".

These days the weekly Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) briefings sent by email follow a predictable format. The tone swings between grandiose nationalism and a bizarre sense of humanitarian purpose. Last week, in one email, the government boasted that "the way to Australia is shut for illegal boat arrivals" while adding that the policy is "saving lives at sea and providing more resettlement places in Australia for refugees waiting in desperate circumstances around the world".

Penny Wong has described how difficult it was to be labelled as bigoted by the attorney general George Brandis, who is pursuing changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

Labor's Senate leader tells my colleague, Gabrielle Chan:

When he described me as bigoted, I turned around. As someone who has been the target of bigotry before, it was a difficult thing to hear. Theres no doubt there is a personal emotional response, an evoked emotional response.

For them, it seems to be an abstract philosophical or legal argument. For them its a game, its a debate about words and abstract principles.

For people who have experienced racism, it is a deeply personal debate, and its actually a debate about real people and real hurt.

Here's some background on the NT situation, from journalists who are based there:

NT Chief Minister @AdamGiles has put blame on Alison Andersen.. she quit Labor in 2009 and joins CLP in 2011.. very powerful in Alice Spings

Background: Alison Andersen has been leading a breakaway group of 3 indigenous bush members in the NT Government #NTpols

BREAKING - Chief Giles: "I won't govern with a gun to my head", in announcing Alison Anderson had been sacked @SkyNewsAust

Meanwhile, Northern Territory politics has descended into open conflict again.

Three members of the Country Liberals government walked out of parliament the other day. The chief minister, Adam Giles, is currently speaking to the media to announce that one of them, Alison Anderson, will be suspended from the parliamentary wing of the CLP "until further notice":

I will not allow the Nortern Territory to be held to ransom.

The Greens have welcomed news of Tony Abbott's call to the interim Egyptian president about detained Australian journalist Peter Greste.

A spokeswoman for the Greens said leader Christine Milne had been campaigning for weeks for the prime ministers personal attention to the case.

Every Australian will be pleased that the prime minister has finally personally intervened to try to secure the release of Peter Greste. It was heart wrenching to hear him calling from his cage for Tony Abbott to intervene, saying that everyone from the United Nations down to the White House had already done so.

No doubt the government could no longer pretend that due legal process was being followed in Egypt after more than 500 people were given the death sentence for merely attending a rally.

The ABC also has posted a story about Tony Abbott's call to the interim Egyptian president about journalist Peter Greste. You can read that article here.

Tony Abbott has personally intervened on behalf of Australian journalist Peter Greste who is imprisoned in Egypt, Fairfax Media is reporting.

James Massola writes that the prime minister spoke with interim Egyptian President Adly Mansour about the reporter about 8.45pm AEDT on Thursday, about three months after the al-Jazeera reporter was arrested in Cairo.

During the call, Mr Abbott asked the Egyptian President for assistance in securing the journalist's release and having the case resolved as quickly as possible. The Prime Minister pointed out that that Mr Greste had only been doing his job as a journalist and had no intention of damaging Egypt's interests.

In reply, Mr Mansour pointed out that he recently written to Mr Greste's parents, Lois and Juris Greste, and pledged to the pair that the journalist would be subject to a fair and just legal process. The President also promised Mr Greste would receive the support and legal assistance he needed and said he hoped the case would be resolved as soon as possible.

In the interview, Abbott also signalled that the government is not firmly committed to the wording of the proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

Were not dogmatic or impervious to a further argument, thats why we released it as an exposure draft rather than simply releasing it straight into the parliament.

Still on the topic of Tony Abbott's adjustment to the realities of the treasury benches, the prime minister has spent some time on self-reflection in an interview with Michelle Grattan, of The Conversation.

Abbott says if he can get six hours sleep a night he "can survive indefinitely" but the faster news cycle has added pressures to the job of prime minister:

I think there is no doubt that the advent of 24/7 news channels, which are voracious in their demand for constant new content, has accelerated the political process. The rise of social media, in addition to talkback, I think has intensified the political process. The thing about social media is that it is anonymous, so it can be much more vitriolic and extreme than normal media and yet it is there for everyone to see. It is kind of like electronic graffiti. The political process is accelerated and intense in a way that I dont believe it ever really has been before.

I think it is curious, Michelle, that when a female chief of staff is strong the term controlling is used, whereas when a male chief of staff is strong decisive is the term used.

Deputy politicial editor Katharine Murphy - who graciously subcontracted live politics blogging duties to me today - has written an opinion piece on Tony Abbott's transition to government. She takes a "pause from the daily combat to wizz up for a panoramic look six months on from the election".

First, some context:

Given Abbott achieved office last September by keeping the focus squarely on Labor and its various indulgences, missteps and manifest inadequacies by powering along, head down in that slipstream, there was always a big definitional task ahead of the Coalition once it took the government benches.

The biggest critique levelled against Abbott internally is that hes too big-government, that hes more interested in social policy that he doesnt worship at the correct altar of free market economics ... With an eye on past slights and future realities, is Abbott trying in this opening stanza to slay the old notion of himself as DLP lite?

Labor's infrastructure and transport spokesman, Anthony Albanese, is unimpressed with Joe Hockey's asset-sales-to-fund-infrastructure push.

Albanese says Hockey has "talked up big the need for investment in infrastructure" but "wants others to do the heavy lifting":

If Joe Hockey wants to be taken seriously on infrastructure, he should not withdraw billions of dollars of public transport funding thats already in the Budget.

A big story - with political repercussions - is the sentencing of the former Health Services Union boss and former ALP national president Michael Williamson for systematically defrauding the union of almost $1m and hindering a police investigation.

Williamson showed no emotion as he was sentenced to a maximum seven-and-a-half years at Sydney's district court on Friday, Australian Associated Press (AAP) reports. He will remain in jail for at least five years.

In a damning judgment, Judge David Frearson said Williamson oversaw a "parasitic plundering of the union funds for pure greed".

The frauds were calculated, brazen and arrogant and involved an "extreme" breach of trust. "[It was] a reprehensible betrayal of the union and all its members," he said.

We believe a Royal Commission is appropriate because the allegations of corruption are now indicative of something terribly wrong within sections of the trade union movement indicating sophistication and it being of a systemic nature.

Main item of business: Recycling (asset recycling, that is)

The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, says there has been "no successful people smuggling venture to Australia for 99 days".

In his weekly statement about Operation Sovereign Borders, Morrison says:

Over the same 99 day period in 2012/13 - 20 December 2012 to 28 March 2013 - there were 66 illegal boat arrivals with a total of 3,879 people on board ... Key contributors to the governments successes to date under Operation Sovereign Borders - maritime operations and the denial of permanent visas for illegal boat arrivals - have been refused support by the Labor Party.

The meeting between Joe Hockey and state and territory treasurers did not appear to produce any concrete outcomes on the GST front.

There's no talk of increasing the rate of the GST (dangerous territory given the Coalition's "full stop, end of story" election promise), but there is a push from the states to lower the threshold for applying it to online transactions.

Today, I also agreed to a request from the states collectively to further explore options around lowering the value at which GST is applied to the importation of goods into Australia. Currently the threshold is $1,000.

Treasurers also noted that the Commission will release a further report in February 2015 considering the methodology by which State shares of GST revenue will be calculated from 2015-16. Treasurers will consider a draft report from the Commission in the second half of the year.

Back to the key element of Joe Hockey's meeting with state and territory treasurers: a 15% commonwealth incentive to top up the proceeds from asset sales used to build new productive infrastructure.

Barry O'Farrell says the NSW government supports recycling capital from asset sales in this manner.

It sounds like what we've been doing for the past three years. I have Australia's best treasurer in my government [Mike Baird] and I can continue to say that becuase Joe [Hockey] hasn't delivered a budget. We've been doing it; he's talking about it.

Barry O'Farrell, when asked about Tony Abbott's knights and dames announcement, makes a broader criticism of the existing honours selections. The NSW premier says he looks at the honours lists each year and sees that many of the recipients are politicians, public servants and business people "who are essentially being honoured for things they're being paid for".

Meanwhile in Sydney, the New South Wales premier Barry O'Farrell is speaking at the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce under questioning from Sky News host David Speers.

O'Farrell begins with a joke about the proliferation of "Agenda" in program titles:

Politicians love Sky News because it has more agendas than Parliament House

Bigotry's never right, whether it's intentional or uninentional.

Hockey has provided more details about his planned incentive to encourage states to sell off assets and spend the money on building infrastructure.

This partnership would only be available for agreed, bilateral transactions with the Commonwealth through until 30 June 2016. Incentive payments will only be available for five years through to 30 June 2019.

The Commonwealths incentive will be 15 per cent of the assessed value of the proposed asset being sold for capital recycling. If proceeds are used by the States and Territories for the retirement of debt or other purposes, rather than for agreed, new productive infrastructure, they will not be eligible to receive payments under the initiative.

Hockey says superannuation funds are looking to invest in assets.

Australian mums and dads are looking for assets that they know and trust to be able to invest their superannuation into, either directly or indirectly through their superannuation funds. It is frustrating for me as an Australian to hear superannuation funds say that there is nothing they can buy in Australia.

Hockey says the asset-recycling incentive will have no impact on the amount of money states receive in GST revenue.

He says the incentive will require an agreement between the state and the commonwealth. A state might choose to sell only 49% of an asset and "recycle that into new assets", he says, or they might sell 100%. Hockey says if the state devotes only a portion of the proceeds into building new productive infrastructure, the incentive will be available on that portion.

We are not setting ridiculous rules about this because the end game is that we need to build this infrastructure fast.

Remember how Tony Abbott said he wanted to be the infrastructure prime minister?

Joe Hockey is now spelling out his plan to provide incentives for state governments to sell off assets and use the money to build new infrastructure. The treasurer says the meeting with his counterparts reached an historic agreement to support his "asset recycling pool".

We will provide an additional 15% of the asset sale value from the states to the states if they agree to use the proceeds for new productive infrastructure investments above and beyond what they have already committed to. This pool will be paid out over a five year period because obviously the scale of the asset sales will be potentially very substantial ... We need to fill an infrastructure hole in the economy and we need to do it fast.

The net outcome will be tens of billions of dollars of new additional infrastructure in Australia.

Sounds positive. Joe Hockey says it was an "incredibly productive" meeting.

Hockey says the group discussed the state of the national and global economy. He gave them an "insight" into federal budget and how everyone will need to help undertake the fiscal repair.

Cosgrove paid tribute to politicians for their service, saying their work was "the lifeblood as our nation and not to be understated". That work continued in the background, with the treasurer, Joe Hockey, meeting with state and territory counterparts. Hockey is about to address the media.

Cosgrove has left the parliament house forecourt. And the issue of honours is still getting a run on social media:

His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) How would you know he was eminent w/out a British style Sir in there?

In his speech earlier, Cosgrove described the "quiet community" of public servants as the "backbone of our thriving democracy".

Well, it seems that quiet community has efficiently updated the governor general's website to include photos and biographies of His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove.

And the website has been updated. Congratulations, Sir Peter. http://t.co/xzO0tFUaen

Cosgrove is now inspecting the federation guard outside parliament house before his exit.

A lighter moment from earlier:

John Howard may have decided against reintroducing knighthoods when he was in power, but he is one of Sir Peter Cosgrove's biggest fans.

Time to have a look at some of the reaction on social media:

Today, like everyday, I am a proud Australian - more so though because of Sir Peter Cosgrove, our Governor General. #auspol

His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, Trueborn King of the Andals, Rhoynar, the First Men, and the Seven Kingdoms.

@DJobling I believe it's His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)

And the formalities are over.

Cosgrove thanks the politicians gathered in the room for their commitment to service.

Your work as politicians is the lifeblood as our nation and not to be understated.

While my governor generalship will embrace the 23m people of this nation, I'll always have a special place for you in the depths of my heart. My wife and I say to be now part of the great apparatus of state is exhilarating and humbling. Thank you all indeed for your welcome today and your kind thoughts which I hope will uplift us through the time of our period in office. Thank you all very much.

Cosgrove is back on stage. He thanks Ngunnawal elder Jannette Phillips, who conducted the welcome to country and made a quip about "gorgeous" Government House at Yarralumla.

You are in effect the landlord so I hope you are happy with what you saw.

The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, congratulates Cosgrove on his appointment, saying he will be the guardian of our constitution.

Shorten says it is admirable that Cosgrove has pledged to travel widely in the role. It is proof, says Shorten, "that like your immediate predecessor you will be a governor general for all Australians". (That immediate predecessor would be Quentin Bryce, Shorten's mother in law.)

When a governor general speaks Australia will listen.

The prime minister, Tony Abbott, says governors general "encourage us to be our best selves". They are our "cheerleaders in chief" and celebrate our best traits "in the hope that we just might live up to it", Abbott says.

As Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Lynne travel the length and breadth of our country visiting all the places that aren't important enough for prime ministers, you will affirm these two fundamental Australian characteristics - to give a fair go to others and to have a fair go yourself. As governor general, you will be a knight for rolling up your sleeves and getting on with things because that's what you've always done.

Now it's time for more ceremony.

Ngunnawal elder Jannette Phillips begins by giving a welcome to country:

Sir, to you and your lovely lady I wish you the best. I've seen the house and it is gorgeous ... So sir, have a really good time and I thank you for your commitment to us all. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

A helpful reminder from a reader:

Shouldn't you be calling him Sir Peter now?

In a media release that would surprise nobody, the nation's peak monarchy club announced that it was pleased with the day's events.

Indeed, the Australian Monarchist League's spokesman, Ben Collison, said there was no one more fitting to serve as Her Majestys representative than General Cosgrove who was "internationally respected as a fair and impartial leader".

The Australian Monarchist League today joined the nation in welcoming retired General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), to the Vice-Regal role as Australias 26th Governor-General ...

On his swearing in as Governor-General, General Cosgrove becomes a Knight of the Order of Australia. He will be styled His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd).

Cosgrove marches into "the hub of one of the world's great democracies", to use his words. (Abbott on Wednesday lauded Cosgrove's poetic turn of phrase.)

Arise, Sir Peter...

Cosgrove's comments about being free of an agenda, and pledge to avoid partisanship, appear to be a message that he will not rock the boat too much. This of course follows controversy over Quentin Bryce's decision to speak up in support of an Australian republic and same-sex marriage in a speech late last year. Monarchists and conservative commentators were not amused - they said if she wanted to express such politically sensitive views she should have waited until her term as the Queen's representative was over.

Interested in your views, of course. What did you think of Cosgrove's speech? How far should a governor general push the limits of free speech (one of the week's key political themes)? Feel free to have your say in the comments thread or get in touch with me on Twitter, danielhurstbne.

Cosgrove strikes an interesting tone on the torrid tone of political debate:

As the elected representatives of and within Australia's communities, you will know best of all the vibrancy, even the stridency of political discourse in this nation, of its robustness, even its abrasiveness, yet the Australian people, even when expressing occasionally mild alarm and sometimes disappointment in the tenor of the political battle, maintain a profound underlying confidence that our system of government will continue to serve the nation's needs effectively.

Cosgrove vows to be "agenda free", although he speaks of the importance of Australian values "that respect and uphold equity, compassion, generosity, tolerance and energetic ambition".

Our nation prides itself on high levels of social inclusiveness and harmony and equity and compared to most nations on earth, that pride is not misplaced yet in the broad, indeed in some special sectors of our community, we remain imperfect, a work in progress.

I pledge all of my energy and goodwill to all the tasks of Australia's governor general, not least those working within the wider community.

Cosgrove notes that although he is the 26th person to assume the office of governor general of Australia, he is the 13th Australian to hold the office.

After paying his respects to the traditional owners, Cosgrove says he is "at once humbled and proud to assume the office - humbled to know something of the great men and the one woman to have preceded me and proud beyond description of Australia, of its men ask women, and of their history, their heritage, their present genius and their hopeful future".

To think that I will play some part in the public discourse in that regard extends to me, my wife and family the greatest honour of our fortunate lives. A moment ago I spoke about the one woman to have filled the office of governor general. This is my first very public opportunity to add my congratulations to all those already given by all you here in the parliament to Dame Quentin Bryce and her husband, Michael, for their great efforts over the last five and a half years. I wish them a long, healthy and joyful future in the satisfaction of their most eminent service to this nation.

Here is our governor general in his earlier days:

Governor-General designate Peter Gosgrove, photographed in 1967 pic.twitter.com/WMvEctFQWc

Knight follows day. Cosgrove is now the governor general and knight of the Order of Australia.

Cosgrove now takes the oath of office:

I, Peter John Cosgrove, do swear that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors according to law. In the office of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia I will do right to all manner of people under the laws and usages of the Commonwealth of Australia without fear or favour, affection or ill will. So help me God.

Chief justice Robert French administers the oath of allegiance. Cosgrove swears to bear faithful and true allegiance to Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors "so help me God".

Cosgrove is led into the Senate chamber, where he will be sworn in. The official secretary to the governor general, Stephen Brady, reads out the commission signed by Queen Elizabeth, dated 12 March 2014, and countersigned by Abbott.

Abbott announced on Tuesday that the governor general would from now on be the "principal knight or dame in the Order of Australia". Quentin Bryce became the first dame under his restoration of the honours and Cosgrove will be the first knight. Here are details of Abbott's announcement, which was greeted with much mirth on social media.

Cosgrove would deliver national leadership beyond politics, Tony Abbott declared when he announced his choice for governor general in late January.

Cosgrove defined his role as to shine light, but not generate heat, and deftly dodged questions about his support for the monarchy:

I've been labelled as a staunch this-and-that and a closet something else in relation to all of these issues. Ive served a particular system since I was a lad. And if the Australian people retain that system, that will be my guiding light as it is now. If they ever change at some future time then the will of the people will prevail.

Australias incoming governor general once described his life as a rollercoaster. No stranger to high office, General Peter Cosgrove is a former military man who rose to the highest roles in the defence force. He now takes on the task of serving as the Queens representative in Australia not an unfamiliar role given he was aide-de-camp to the one-time governor general Sir Paul Hasluck in 1972.

Cosgroves lengthy military career included a prominent role commanding the international forces that oversaw East Timors transition to independence, leading to his promotion to chief of the army in 2000 and chief of the defence force in 2002.

Cosgrove has arrived at the front of parliament house, where he is welcomed by the prime minister, Tony Abbott. Cosgrove will become a "Sir" today, as part of Abbott's reintroduction of knights and dames to the Australian honour system.

Welcome to parliament house in Canberra where the former Australian Defence Force chief, General Peter Cosgrove, will be sworn in as the Queen's representative in Australia. He replaces Quentin Bryce, who was farewelled this week.

Should the defence industry be at arm's length from Anzac commemoration?

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 11:30 PM PDT

Some don't want defence manufacturers to pay for Australias first world war festival, even if there is a funding shortfall

Two things about war are certain. People die. And those who manufacture weapons make a financial killing.

But should those who profit from war also be involved in telling the official stories of its human, cultural and historical impacts? In Australia, it seems the federal governments answer is yes.

Salvation Army boys home abuse victim refuses apology, inquiry hears

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 10:21 PM PDT

Just keep them away from me, said man who, as a boy, had been made to sleep where he defecated

A man kept in solitary confinement in a boy's home run by the Salvation Army, in which he was made to sleep where he defecated, has vehemently refused to accept an apology for the abuse he suffered, the Royal Commission into Institutional Abuse was told on Friday.

If I see one of those uniforms come within a metre of me, you'd better be there ... okay, just keep them away from me, the man said when asked if he would accept an apology from the Salvation Army for the abuse he suffered at the Riverview Training Farm in Queensland in 1971.

Joe Hockey strikes deal with states for recycling of public assets

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 10:21 PM PDT

States agree to in-principle deal to sell off public assets and direct profits into 'productive infrastructure' projects

Treasurer Joe Hockey has achieved a handshake agreement with the states that would see Canberra offer new incentive payments for the productive "recycling" of public assets.

After a meeting with his state counterparts in Canberra on Friday, Hockey said the Abbott government would provide a payment worth 15% of the asset if the state agreed to sell it off and invest the funds in new "productive infrastructure".

Flight MH370: search zone moved as new fuel theory emerges

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 10:10 PM PDT

Malaysia Airlines plane was going faster than previously thought, meaning its tanks would have run dry sooner, say authorities

The Australian-led search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has shifted 1,100km to the north-east after investigators calculated the plane was going faster and using more fuel when it disappeared than previously thought.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) said the analysis was based on the plane's final radar contacts between the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, and suggested the plane would have burned more fuel in the opening stages of its flight. It therefore would not have made it as far into the Indian Ocean before running out of fuel and crashing.

Race law debate touches emotional chord in parliament and out

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 09:33 PM PDT

For people who have experienced racism, it is a deeply personal debate, says Labor senator Penny Wong

Every so often, issues arise on the political landscape that offer a window into political representatives who are most deeply touched by them. Race is always one of them. It inspires a passion unseen on most other subjects.

Consider the Abbott cabinet where, up until now, leaks have been rare. Yet proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act inspired a wholesale leak this week.

Ten Networks post-Lachlan prognosis: no lift to the ratings blues

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 09:01 PM PDT

New chairman Hamish McLennan has the daunting task of turning around the lacklustre commercial network. But theres no sign things are set to improve under new management

A year on from his surprise appointment as chief executive of Ten, former advertising man Hamish McLennan now has an even bigger task ahead of him.

Tens fourth CEO in three years is now chairman of the board as well. McLennan was elevated to executive chairman of the Ten network following the sudden departure on Wednesday night of the man who appointed him: Lachlan Murdoch. Murdoch Jr has stepped up at his fathers media empire News Corp as non-executive co-chairman after almost three years at the helm of Ten.

Just who is Tony Abbott, six months after winning election?

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 08:45 PM PDT

An eye on past slights and future realities, Abbott may be trying in this opening stanza to slay the old notion of him as DLP lite

By all accounts, there will not be an aircraft carrier involved. Unlike George Bush in 2003, Tony Abbott will not be standing before a banner declaring mission accomplished when, on Saturday, he takes the opportunity to remind the voters that its been 100 days since an asylum boat completed a successful voyage. All very low key apparently, this humble brag, this non-declaration of victory victory celebration.

The prime minister will no doubt be hoping the message, given its enduring popularity with Ray Hadleys talkback listeners and the Coalitions conservative base, pierces the clutter of recent events. Abbott will no doubt bank the achievement and transport it due west, where hes due to campaign early next week in the Senate by-election.

Peter Cosgrove sworn in as governor general

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 07:46 PM PDT

Twenty-one gun salute greets proclamation ceremony at Parliament House

A 21-gun salute outside Parliament House has heralded the swearing-in of General Sir Peter Cosgrove as Australia's 26th governor general.

General Sir Peter Cosgrove gives first address as Australia's governor general video

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 07:46 PM PDT

Australia's 26th governor general, General Sir Peter Cosgrove, addressed political and legal representatives at his swearing-in ceremony on Friday. Accepting his appointment, the former defence force chief said taking the office of governor general would be his greatest honour. He promised an 'agenda-free' approach to the role

Michael Williamson jailed for at least five years for 'parasitic' union fraud

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 06:42 PM PDT

Former Health Services Union president committed calculated, brazen and arrogant fraud, says judge in Sydney

Former Health Services Union boss Michael Williamson has been jailed for at least five years for systematically defrauding the union of almost $1m and hindering a police investigation.

Williamson showed no emotion as he was sentenced to a maximum seven-and-a-half years at Sydney's district court on Friday.

Peter Cosgrove sworn in as governor general - video

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 06:26 PM PDT

Peter Cosgrove was sworn in as the 26th governor general on Friday in a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra. The former army man took over as the Queen's representative after Quentin Bryce was farewelled from the post on Wednesday.

David Cameron's plans for the EU gets timely boost from Angela Merkel

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 06:15 PM PDT

Article by chancellor and finance minister confirms signals that Germany is keen to provide assurances over EU membership

David Cameron has received a highly significant boost to his campaign to renegotiate the terms of Britain's European Union membership after Berlin said that any EU treaty change must protect the interests of non-eurozone members.

In a sign of Angela Merkel's determination to keep Britain in the EU, the German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, has written an article in the Financial Times together with George Osborne to say that any treaty change must "guarantee fairness" for countries outside the eurozone.

Earliest printed map of Australia sells in London for close to $250,000

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 05:22 PM PDT

Sotheby's auctions one of just three known surviving copies of work commissioned by Joseph Banks in 1772

A copy of the earliest printed map of Australia has sold at auction in London for almost $250,000.

The map was commissioned by botanist Joseph Banks in 1772 to celebrate Captain Cook's voyage of discovery to the Pacific, which ended the previous year.


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