Former spy refused visa to give evidence at royal commission – as it happened

Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast That’s a wrap on today’s live coverage from us. Before we go, let’s take a look at the day’s top headlines: Australia is not ruling out stepping up joint patrols of the South China Sea following “destabilising” missile testing in the region. Students in Victoria will be kept at home as a second teacher strike disrupts public schools, leaving thousands of families to make alternative arrangements. Anthony Albanese has seemingly shut down prospects of a new tax on gas exports, saying he doesn’t interpret a Labor party platform document calling for Australians to get “a fair share” from natural resources as a call for such a new tax. The prime minister also announced a new Fair Work court, which Albanese says will streamline workplace disputes. Australia’s unemployment rate held at 4.4% in June after a big jump in the number of employed Australians in the month. One Nation has been quick to capitalise on Barnaby Joyce’s viral moment yelling at his staffy-border collie Stella to sit down on live television by, you guessed it, selling dog leads. Macquarie Group’s chief executive, Shemara Wikramanayake, a