John Howard says Australia did the ‘right thing’ after September 11 attacks
Former prime minister John Howard, who was in Washington DC during the September 11 terror attacks, spoke to the ABC this morning about his experience 25 years ago.
“It meant that the world would never be the same,” Howard told Radio National Breakfast.
I just knew that it meant a lot to the whole world, and it certainly meant that I quickly came to realize just how important our association with the Americans was because this powerful country had been attacked in an atrocious, cruel manner.
Howard said he believes it was “only right” Australia join the US in Afghanistan, and the White House was “very happy to have our help”. He said:
I think we did the right thing. I was unhappy with aspects of the ultimate withdrawal from Afghanistan. It did look rather chaotic at the time. … Overall, I don’t have any regrets. I think we did the right thing in going into Afghanistan.
Marles reflects on September 11
Marles reflected on September 11 this morning, saying it was a day “which we remember most as having changed the world in which we live”.
He told the ABC this morning:
I remember on that night watching West Wing, a number of people I have spoken to in the last few days were doing the same thing. When it finished, it cut into this extraordinary vision of smoke coming out of the North Tower. We weren’t really sure what was going on. Then astonishingly it looked as though we were witnessing a plane fly into the South Tower.
What it then heralded was obviously a huge change in terms of wars in … Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 40,000 Australians served over the coming years in those, more than 40 lost their lives. Ten Australians lost their lives that day on September 11. We very much remember them.
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Marles says One Nation cartoon about Andrew Hastie ‘tasteless’
The defence minister, Richard Marles, said the One Nation cartoon labelling Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie a “traitor” is “tasteless” and should be taken down.
Marles just spoke on ABC News Breakfast as many senior Liberals, independent Jacqui Lambie and RSL Australia condemned the cartoon.
The defence minister said this morning:
Andrew Hastie is definitely not a traitor. I know him well and I’ve said this publicly. I very much honour the service that Andrew Hastie has given to our country, wearing our nation’s uniform. I think to use that word in respect of a veteran is extremely tasteless.
No one should be using that word in respect of any veteran and in respect of Andrew.
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Anthony Albanese marks September 11's anniversary
Anthony Albanese has marked 25 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US.
Ten Australians were among 2,977 people killed in the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC and in Pennsylvania – “lives tragically cut short far from home”.
We acknowledge the grief carried by their loved ones. We also honour the courage and selflessness shown in the face of unimaginable horror.
First responders ran towards danger to help others. Ordinary people reached for one another. In the worst of circumstances, we saw extraordinary acts of courage, compassion and humanity.
The prime minister said the anniversary was also an opportunity to reflect on “resilience in the face of profound loss”.
Australia remembers those whose lives were taken, those who survived, those we’ve lost since, and all those who continue to carry the weight of that day.
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Opal Healthcare refunds residents after review into misuse of aged care standards
Opal Healthcare has refunded roughly $190,000 to almost 350 residents under a sweeping review into misuse of new aged care standards, AAP reports.
The standards came into effect in November and were designed to give residents more say over what premium products they opted to pay for.
Guidelines said services that were previously offered for free could not be charged, though they were not made law.
Reports emerged months later of aged care providers wrongfully charging residents for basic amenities, including television and wifi services.
In some cases, services were removed if they were not paid for.
An investigation was launched by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission after the aged care minister, Sam Rae, informed the regulator of claims against Opal Healthcare.
He said at the time the removal of services such as air conditioning and televisions was unacceptable.
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