Reported from the source

Quick summary: The Nationals have revealed their new frontbench, with Matt Canavan as leader and David Littleproud moving to the outer shadow ministry. Queen Mary and King Frederik X of Denmark are on a state visit to Canberra, engaging with the public and officials. Author Craig Silvey faces additional child exploitation charges, while severe fuel shortages are impacting parts of Victoria and NSW. Floodwaters remain high in the Daly River, NT, with new heavy rainfall warnings for central Australia, and Victoria settled a COVID-19 class action for $125 million.

The Nationals have announced their new frontbench lineup, with Matt Canavan appointed as leader, also taking on the portfolios of trade, investment, and tourism. Darren Chester is the new deputy leader, responsible for agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. Former leader David Littleproud has been moved from the shadow cabinet to the outer shadow ministry, serving as shadow minister for tourism and emergency management. Micheal McCormack is now the shadow minister for water and veterans’ affairs. In Canberra, Queen Mary and King Frederik X of Denmark began their first state visit, greeted by crowds at the War Memorial where they laid a wreath and poppies. They also attended an afternoon tea with parliamentary friends of Denmark, during which Danish climate minister Lars Aagaard emphasized the strong ties between the two nations. The royal couple is scheduled to travel to Hobart on Thursday. Western Australia police have laid two additional charges against prominent author Craig Silvey for producing and possessing child exploitation material, following earlier charges in January. A 68-year-old woman has also been charged in connection with the ongoing investigation. Communities around Daly River in the Northern Territory are expected to face major flood heights for at least another week, despite the river having peaked. Attention is now shifting to central Australia, where a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall, potentially exceeding 100mm, is in place for the coming days. The Victorian government has agreed to a $125 million settlement for a class action brought by businesses affected by the state’s second wave of Covid-19, pending Supreme Court endorsement. Additionally, a trial of tap-and-go payments on four Victorian train lines recorded nearly 1,200 “tap-ons” on its first day with no significant issues. Fuel shortages are impacting parts of Australia, with a service station owner in Robinvale, Victoria, reporting the worst shortages in over 25 years, leading to rationing and sales limits. NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that the state’s fuel issues are primarily a “distribution issue” rather than a supply problem, amid concerns linked to the Middle East conflict.

Source: www.theguardian.com