‘National disaster’ if troubled Whyalla steelworks falls over, SA premier warns | South Australia newsthirst.

The South Australian premier says it would be a “national disaster” if Whyalla steelworks closed to leave Australia’s construction industry dependent on imports. “It simply cannot be allowed to happen,” Peter Malinauskas told reporters on Tuesday. “What workers at the Whyalla steelworks should have confidence in is that I do not believe this nation wants…

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Tonga government elects ’Aisake Valu Eke as new prime minister | Tonga newsthirst.

Tonga’s government elected a new leader on Tuesday, two weeks after the previous premier resigned abruptly after a power struggle with the Pacific nation’s royal family. Veteran politician ’Aisake Valu Eke was voted prime minister by secret ballot in parliament, securing 16 votes to his opponent Viliami Latu’s eight. Eke was first elected to parliament…

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Embattled John Pesutto makes bid to shore up support ahead of Victorian Liberal leadership spill | Victorian politics newsthirst.

Victorian Liberal MPs who will be away during the upcoming leadership spill could be able to vote remotely, due to an intervention by John Pesutto designed to shore up support. The embattled opposition leader on Tuesday wrote to his colleagues to tell them he had received requests from MPs Nick McGowan and Cindy McLeish to…

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