Australia news live updates: UN takes swipe at Morrison government over climate crisis, Dutton to launch space command | Australia news

Free tickets to Shane Warne’s state memorial service will become available from 3pm today, Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says.

Good morning all, it’s Matilda Boseley here with you, somewhat red in the face after absolutely stacking it on my bike outside the office about 20 minutes ago. But it seems that I’m not the only one that should be embarrassed this morning, with Australia being called out on a global stage for its fossil fuel focus.

The United Nations secretary-general has called Australia a “holdout” after Scott Morrison refused to strengthen the nation’s 2030 emissions reduction target.

António Guterres has used an address to a sustainability summit to take an extraordinary public swipe at Australia’s climate change efforts.

A growing number of G20 developed economies have announced meaningful emissions reductions by 2030 – with a handful of holdouts, such as Australia.

He said the Paris climate pact’s ambition of limiting global warming to 1.5C was “on life support” but there was still something that could save it.

Keeping 1.5 alive requires a 45 per cent reduction in global emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by mid-century. That problem was not solved in Glasgow.

Guterres implored all G20 governments to dismantle their domestic coal infrastructure, with full phase-out by 2030 for OECD countries, and 2040 for all others. He called coal a “stupid investment” that would lead to billions in stranded assets.

Simon Bradshaw, head of research at the Climate Council, said the UN chief’s direct and veiled attacks on Australia’s climate policies were striking.

It’s very unusual for the UN secretary-general to call out any country, specifically. I don’t recall a time when this has happened. It’s striking to see.

But why fix issues on earth when we could look to out of space! Defence Minister Peter Dutton will today launch Australia’s own command outfit for our space defence initiatives, as he warns for increased competition and conflict out there.

The command will be headed by Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts in a bid to protect Australia’s interests in space where “losing access would have significant civil and military consequences.

New military space capabilities will be used to counter threats, continue access to space-based intelligence, to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance and uphold the free use of space.

He will tell an air and space power conference in Canberra on Tuesday that:

[Space] will undoubtedly become a domain which takes on greater military significance in 21st century…

It is a domain which must be used to deter aggression, rather than become a new realm for conflict.

With all that in mind, why don’t we jump right into the day? I think I need a coffee.