The Australian and international news stories you need to know today, Thursday October 21.

by Gemma Bath October 20, 2021

The Morrison government has voted to stop an inquiry into Porter donations.

Former attorney-general Christian Porter has avoided an investigation into whether his acceptance of mystery legal donations was in contempt of parliament.

The coalition government on Wednesday voted down Labor's motion to refer the MP for the Western Australia seat of Pearce to parliament's privileges committee.

Manager of opposition business Tony Burke accused the government of running a "protection racket" for Mr Porter over who helped fund his defamation case against the public broadcaster.

"We need to oppose a system where members of parliament can keep secret who is giving them money for personal bills," Mr Burke told parliament.

"If this is allowed to stand, the register of members' interests is obliterated in terms of being a disclosure document."

The Morrison Government just voted to stop an inquiry into Christian Porter’s secret donations. pic.twitter.com/gMMZ1vnTmM

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP)

Speaker Tony Smith was "satisfied that a prima facie case has been made out", paving the way for a vote on whether Mr Porter should be investigated for possible contempt of parliament.

The opposition sought to refer the MP to the standing committee that looks at MPs' responsibilities in declaring their financial interests.

Leader of the House Peter Dutton instead proposed a broader inquiry into anonymous donations, including those from online donor platforms.

"There is a sensible discussion to be had at the appropriate time between the government and the opposition to see what the appropriate next step might be for this parliament," he said.

Mr Porter last month updated his parliamentary register of interests to disclose anonymous legal donations used to help fund defamation action over an allegation he raped a now-deceased woman in 1988.

The MP strenuously denied the allegation and launched defamation action against the ABC after outing himself as the cabinet minister referred to in its story.

He settled the case before trial.

If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.

Health minister in tears talking about child death threat.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has revealed death threats against his children as he condemned anti-vaccine protesters pursuing the NT chief minister.

The family of territory leader Michael Gunner left their home after his personal address was disclosed at an anti-vaccination rally on Saturday.

Mr Hunt shed a tear as he reflected on the situation.

"I've never really talked about it. There was a period where the lives of my children were threatened quite openly a few years ago," he told reporters in Canberra.

"That was a matter of great concern. But we have very fine federal police in this country."

The Victorian Liberal MP offered strong support to Mr Gunner, the NT Labor leader.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has wiped away tears after revealing his children have been subjected to vile death threats. @Riley7NEWS and @JaneCaro joined @Natalie_Barr to discuss the risks facing our politicians and their families. pic.twitter.com/BOHtibSpxx

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7)

"Let me condemn clearly, absolutely, unequivocally the attack on Michael Gunner's house and what would have been deep concerns for his family," Mr Hunt said.

"To those that think violence or the threat of violence is acceptable in any shape or form: it is not."

Fringe anti-vaccination protesters and lockdown opponents have engaged in violence at protests around the country in recent months with Melbourne experiencing the worst behaviour.

Mr Hunt said Australians needed to relearn the value of respect.

"I don't mean holding our parliamentarians up on any pedestal," he said.

"They are not better than anybody but they're not worse than anybody. They are overwhelmingly public servants that seek to serve the nation.

"There will be differing views and differing approaches but this view of national tolerance and mutual respect is something I believe in passionately."

Michael Slater charged over DV incident.

Former Australian Test cricketer Michael Slater has been charged with stalking and harassment offences over a domestic violence incident.

The 51-year-old was arrested on Wednesday at a home in Manly on Sydney's northern beaches.

He was taken to Manly Police Station, interviewed and later charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend and with "stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm".

Slater was granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on November 11.

He made no comment as he left the police station with his lawyer.

Michael Slater arrested after alleged domestic violence incident | @sallyrawsthorne https://t.co/UB2l3Bl1V6

— The Sydney Morning Herald (@smh)

In a statement, police said officers attached to the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command began an investigation on Tuesday after receiving reports of a domestic violence incident alleged to have occurred on October 12.

Slater played in 74 Tests for Australia, scoring 5312 runs at an average of 42.83 after making his debut during the 1993 Ashes tour of England.

The opening batsman also played 42 one-day internationals scoring just under 1000 runs before retiring from major cricket in 2004.

Slater was recently dropped from the Seven Network's commentary team for the upcoming summer cricket season, with the network choosing not to renew his contract, citing budgetary pressures.

He had previously worked as a commentator and personality for more than a decade on the rival Nine Network.

Human remains found near Brian Laundrie belongings.

Human remains have been found in the same area as belongings of Brian Laundrie, the fiance of murdered Gabby Petito, who has been missing for more than a month.

A senior law enforcement official says what appears to be partial human remains have been found in Florida's Carlton Reserve in a location that was previously under water. There is no confirmation they belong to Laundrie.

Laundrie's parents directed FBI agents and North Port police to the location where "some articles belonging to Brian were found."

Items belonging to Gabby Petito's fiancé Brian Laundrie have been found at a Florida park, family attorney says https://t.co/MUPDb7Rnoz

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk)

The Carlton Reserve is within a short drive of their family home.

Laundrie is wanted as a person of interest in the disappearance and murder of Gabby Petito. The couple were travelling across America together, but he returned home alone with their van on September 1.

Gabby was found on September 19, she'd been strangled and had died at least three weeks prior.

Nats to deliver list of climate demands.

Nationals MPs will deliver Scott Morrison a list of demands required to secure the junior coalition partner's support for a 2050 net zero emissions target.

The prime minister insists federal cabinet will decide what position Australia takes to COP26 climate talks in Glasgow starting on October 31.

A four-member Nationals subcommittee was on Wednesday finalising the conditions required to secure support for the deal.

Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce insisted the process was at arm's length from him and he expected the document to go to Mr Morrison on Thursday.

An impasse on committing to stronger climate targets between the warring factions within the Coalition government will continue through the week. via @FinnianMchugh and @sbasfordcanales https://t.co/8q1UlNaSEC

— Canberra Times (@canberratimes)

Senior Nationals cabinet ministers Bridget McKenzie and David Littleproud are on the subcommittee alongside Resources Minister Keith Pitt and junior frontbencher Kevin Hogan.

Senator McKenzie echoed the warning of Queensland senator and net zero opponent Matt Canavan about political consequences should Mr Morrison forge ahead without Nationals agreement.

"It will be ugly," Senator McKenzie told parliament on Wednesday.

Senator Canavan got a motion passed ordering the government table in parliament modelling about a net zero target's effects on resources and agriculture exports.

Mr Morrison said the government understood global climate action would challenge regional and rural Australians' economic security.

"The response that is being made around the world to climate change will have a significant impact on Australia," he told parliament.

"It will have a significant impact, particularly on rural and regional Australia."

Senator McKenzie wants a guarantee renewable energy projects will generate long-term jobs in regional Australia.

Both she and Mr Joyce have said they don't believe renewable energy will amount to the job boom that's anticipated.

WA search continues for missing Cleo.

The search for missing four-year-old Cleo Smith is set to continue as police admit there's evidence to suggest she was taken from her West Australian campsite.

Authorities have confirmed the family's tent was found open at a height Cleo could not have reached when she disappeared from the popular Blowholes site, on WA's northwest coast, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Her red and black sleeping bag is also missing.

Homicide detectives are assisting local police and investigators have spoken to up to 20 registered sex offenders in the Carnarvon area, but say there are currently no suspects.

Search for missing four-year-old girl Cleo Smith growing more urgent every hour, police warn https://t.co/YPhERJi7qQ

— ABC News (@abcnews)

Detectives are also re-examining nearby shacks along the coastline as the search for the girl enters its sixth day.

"There's circumstances around her disappearance that make it very concerning and it's things like the fact that the (tent) zipper was allegedly up so high, the sleeping bag is missing," Inspector Jon Munday told reporters on Wednesday.

"We are hopeful that Cleo is still alive and we're operating on the premise that she is still alive, so we're going to keep searching until we find her."

Inspector Munday said the family were Carnarvon locals and he understood they had set up their tent "in the same vicinity as people they knew".

Cleo's mother Ellie Smith has said the little girl would never wander off on her own and someone must know where she is.

Melburnians prepare for COVID lockdown end.

Hospitality workers in Melbourne are scrambling to get vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of lockdown lifting.

Melburnians will emerge from lockdown at 11.59pm on Thursday, five days earlier than planned, as the state is expected to reach its 70 per cent fully-vaccinated target.

Federal government figures show 89.2 per cent of Victorians aged over 16 have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 69.3 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Under the new rules, people will be able to leave their homes for any reason and travel anywhere within metropolitan Melbourne.

Melbourne's lockdown is almost over, but some venue owners will have to keep their doors closed after a last minute change to vaccination rules. #9Today pic.twitter.com/K6qQwwb6Rg