Ex-journalist elected Australia's new Deputy PM
Canberra: Michael McCormack, a former regional newspaper editor, was elected as Australia's new Deputy Prime Minister on Monday.
He replaces Barnaby Joyce as leader of the Nationals, the governing coalition's junior partner.
Joyce stepped down on Friday following questions over his relationship with media adviser Vikki Campion, and an allegation of sexual harassment by another woman. He called the latter's complaint "spurious and defamatory".
As leader of the Nationals, McCormack automatically becomes deputy to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull - who heads the Liberal Party.
McCormack said Joyce had been an "outstanding leader".
"His service to our party and to our nation will never be diminished. His legacy will endure," he told the media.
McCormack had attracted criticism over a controversial editorial he wrote 25 years ago as editor of the Daily Advertiser, a small newspaper based in the town of Wagga Wagga, in which he described homosexuality as "sordid".
"Unfortunately gays are here and, if the disease their unnatural acts helped spread doesn't wipe out humanity, they're here to stay," he wrote in 1993.
McCormack has since apologised for the piece and said his views have changed.
Although long opposed to same-sex marriage, he voted in line with the majority of his constituents to support its legalisation in Australia last year.
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Belagavi SP denies rumours of RSS attack on Colonel Sofia Qureshi's husband’s house
Belagavi: A social media post claiming that members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) attacked the residence of Colonel Sofia Qureshi’s husband in Konnur village, Gokak taluk, has been termed false by Belagavi Superintendent of Police Bhimashankar Guled.
The post, shared from an X (formerly Twitter) account named Anees Uddin, quickly went viral online. However, SP Guled clarified that the claim about an RSS-led attack on the residence of Colonel Qureshi's father-in-law is entirely baseless.
SP Guled urged the public not to fall for such misinformation being spread on social media. He added that adequate police protection has been provided to the house in Konnur following the viral rumours.
Gokak Circle Police Inspector Suresh R.B. visited the spot and conducted an inspection to ensure peace in the area.
