Mornings with Simon Beaumont

Attorney General Christian Porter has responded to claims of inappropriate behaviour made against him in a 4 Corners report last night.  

Mr Porter has denied the allegations that he was seen "cuddling and kissing" a female Liberal staffer in a Canberra bar while married.

Mr Porter told 6PR's Gareth Parker he was considering legal action against the broadcaster.

The claims were part part of an expose' alleging Mr Porter and Member for Aston Alan Tudge had extra-marital affairs, potentially breaching the ministerial code of conduct.

"I have never breached that ministerial code of conduct and there has never been any suggestions I have," Mr Porter said. 

"This goes back to the allegation that this description of something that happened in a bar was indicative of something more and it wasn't."

 

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Leigh Meyrick, along with banner writer Matt Hagias, is writing a book about the fascinating history of banners in the Australian rules football. 

He joined Gareth Parker to discuss how the idea came about and how the public can get involved.

The book is due to be released in August next year. 

 

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Australian scientists have found that humans, and most likely the entire animal kingdom, share important genetic mechanisms with a jelly-like sea sponge that comes from the Great Barrier Reef.

Dr Emily Wong from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Centre says it is an important discovery.

:The more we know about how our genes are wired, the better we are able to develop new treatments for diseases," she said.

 

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Gabby Leibovich and his brother Hezi built, launched, merged and sold some of the most disruptive businesses in Australia. 

The businesses include Catch, Scoopon, Menulog and Luxury Escapes. 

The brothers have written a book about their experience called Catch of the Decade and Gabby joined Gareth Parker to explore some of the stories within the book. 

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WA will phase out a range of single-use plastics by 2023, Environment Minister Stephen Dawson joined Gareth Parker to explain the planned measures.

The planned bans for 2023 includes plastic straws, thick plastic bags, and plastic plates and cutlery.

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There are concerns that the trade dispute between Australia and China could spiral out of control - and have dire consequences for local industry.

Chinese media reports customs restrictions will be extended to Australian wine, lobster, timber, sugar, wool, wheat and copper-ore.

Beijing denies the embargo is for political reasons.

Richard McGregor from the Lowy Institute told Gareth Parker China is not only sending a message to Australia - but to its own importers.

Pastoralists and Graziers Association President Tony Seabrook said the damage to the Australian economy would be significant.

"This is not about to go away and the opinion seems to be it hasn't reached its peak yet," he said.

"Anyone can see they are punishing us.

"Someone said to me a while ago, the dragon has bared its teeth."

 

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On Tuesday we spoke about the closure of the Argyle Diamond Mine - famous for producing about 90 per cent of the world's pink diamonds. 

Saddened 6PR listener Tay called in to let us know his wife had recently lost her wedding band boasting an argyle pink diamond. 

But with the help of 6PR listeners the story was able to have a happy ending.

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Opposition Transport Spokesperson Libby Mettam says there have been 1300 damage claims against Main Roads over dame to vehicles caused by the road surfaces on the NorthLink Extension totaling nearly $600,000. 

6PR listener and glazier Jordan called in to say about three months ago around 80 per cent of his work was fixing windscreens damaged by the road surface. 

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the issues were caused by the volume of vehicles on the road and that the monthly numbers had settled down.

 

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Curtin University US political expert Professor Joe Siracusa explores what Donald Trump's next moves will be if he loses the US Presidential election to Joe Biden.

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Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter joins Gareth Parker every Wednesday at 9.30am. 

This week Gareth and Minister Porter discussed the proposed national anti-corruption body, the Reserve Bank's decision to cut interests and more.

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