The Crikey Worm …

EVICTED DOCTORS CALL TO EVACUATE NAURU

Returning Médecins Sans Frontières health workers have called for the immediate evacuation of all remaining refugees from Nauru, reporting 78 cases of attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, or self harm amongst refugees as young as nine years old.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, MSF watched the mental health among people seeking asylum housed on Nauru deteriorate at an “absolutely devastating” state over their 11 months of psychological and psychiatric work on the island, particularly after the US rejected about 70 people under “extreme vetting” in May. MSF’s eviction follows multiple allegations that Nauru has begun criminilising suicide and mental illnesses.

The reports also come as the Queensland coroner prepares for a year-long inquest into the death of 24-year-old Omid Masoumali, who died after setting himself on fire in front of UN officials in 2016, in order to determine intent.

For anyone seeking help, Lifeline is on 13 11 14, and Beyond Blue is 1300 22 4636. Headspace and ReachOut have useful mental health resources for young people.

MORRISON DEFENDS REVIEW, LGBTIQ KIDS

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has accused Fairfax Media of deliberately misrepresenting the religious freedoms review in a Sky News interview, and argued against expelling children on the basis of their sexuality or gender.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Morrison has also claimed that the (still unreleased) report recommends tightening laws to focus on child welfare, a claim echoed by Attorney-General Christian Porter and review chair Philip Ruddock. However, Fairfax Federal Editor Bevan Shields has also hit back at claims that earlier reports were inaccurate.

Either way, Morrison plans to keep the report confidential until cabinet has finalised its position, a decision slammed by everyone from the IPA to Labor. Finally, crossbench senator Derryn Hinch will move a motion next week calling to strip funding from schools that discriminate against LGBTIQ students or teachers.

AUSTRALIA BEATS THE ODDS, MANAGES TO DRAW

Australian opening batsman Usman Khawaja has helped deliver an incredible draw in the first test against Pakistan overnight.

The ABC reports that, facing a 462 run deficit, Australia managed to survive the final innings eight wickets down, largely on the back off Khawaja’s 141-run, eight-and-a-half-hour streak. After Pakistan’s legspinner Yasir Shah took Khawaja, Mitchell Starc, and Peter Siddle within the space of eight balls, Australia captain Tim Paine and number 10 batsman Nathan Lyon held out for a tense final hour.

Australia’s energy minister holds out on the idea that ignoring emissions targets at the upcoming COAG meeting counts as brave or tough ($).

Outlook conference: Bill Shorten to shake up bank superannuation ($)

‘All hell breaks loose’ as rain, hail, tornadoes, lash SEQ

Labor vows to redraft My Health Record legislation

Ian Henderson tried to leave the ABC — but the studio refused to let him go

Nurses warned over industrial disruption, with hospital strike threat bound for tribunal ($)

Energy chief says electricity would continue uninterrupted if coal phased out within 30 years

The NT Children’s Commissioner has launched an Own Initiative Investigation after alleged sexual assault of 5-year-old girl ($)

NSW Young Nationals stacked by Clifford Jennings and Neo-Nazis

ANZ failed to meet human rights standards: government report

Outlook conference: Morrison soaks up Costello criticisms over economy ($)

Uniting Church’s Fair Treatment: sensible drug policy ($) — Richard Branson (The Australian): “Almost a half century ago, US president Richard Nixon launched the ‘war on drugs’. It has been an irredeemable global disaster ever since. Wind back another 50 years and there was a clue that prohibition wouldn’t work. Criminalising the use of alcohol had led to the rise of the mafia and Al Capone’s murderous regime. A ruthless underworld brewed toxic hooch in bathtubs and decent Americans died.”

Why the Opera House backlash was so fierce: we’ve just had enough — Waleed Aly (Sydney Morning Herald): “The most instructive part of this week’s Opera House furore was the parade of politicians who seemed so baffled it had even become an issue. ‘People should chill out a bit,’ advised Labor’s Anthony Albanese – himself so chill about it he apparently went to the trouble of calling into ABC radio to make the point. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison couldn’t understand ‘why people are getting so precious about it’. That, of course, is precisely what’s so damning: he couldn’t even understand it.”

Earthquake families will rebuild, but we can do better ($) — Tim Costello (The Australian): “Seeing the huge need of people affected by this destruction reminds me again of how Australia must do more to help the world’s most vulnerable. The Australian government has cut its aid dramatically during the past five years. The savings to its budget have come at the expense of our international reputation and the world’s poorest people. They don’t vote, so our government can get away with it.”