Morning everyone. Who should take a share of responsibility for the robodebt scandal, in the wake of a damning royal commission? Now, the role of private debt collectors highlighted by the report is under the microscope. Those private firms face calls to return the $11m they earned chasing welfare recipients for what turned out to be erroneous debts. Elsewhere, the prime minister is wrapping up a trip to Germany that saw Australia promise new military help for Ukraine, plus we’re learning about life expectancy, and the remarkable story of when Vladimir met Yevgeny – after the mutiny.
Australia
Ukraine aid | The Australian government will send a surveillance aircraft to Germany to help monitor the flow of military and humanitarian supplies into Ukraine, Anthony Albanese announced during his visit to Berlin (pictured). He also confirmed Australia’s membership of a new international ‘Climate Club’.
Debt demand | Corporate debt collectors are facing calls to return more than $11m in taxpayers’ money they earned by chasing down welfare recipients for debts raised under the unlawful robodebt scheme. Cassandra Goldie, chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Services (Acoss), said the profits were “shameful”.
Voice drop | Support for the Indigenous voice has dipped in the Guardian Essential poll, although a majority of Australians questioned – 47% to 43% – intend to vote yes rather than no.
Rental hope | There are hopes today that the rental crisis is showing modest signs of easing, with vacancy rates in the major cities improving slightly, according to data group PropTrack.
Palmer claim | Clive Palmer’s Zeph Investment’s second case against Australia is a $41.3bn claim that it breached the Asean free trade agreement in relation to coal exploration permits, it has emerged.
World
BBC scandal | Scotland Yard said it would carry out fresh inquiries into claims a prominent BBC presenter paid £35,000 for explicit images from a teenager as officers consider whether a full criminal investigation should be launched. The identity of the presenter has still not been publicly revealed.
Nato hiccup | Last-ditch talks ahead of the Nato summit in Vilnius have secured Turkey’s support for Sweden joining the defence pact, after an earlier demand from Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that he first get a promise to reopen talks on his country’s accession to the EU.
Putin-Prigozhin meeting | Vladimir Putin met rebel mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and commanders from his Wagner group at the Kremlin five days after they marched towards Moscow in an aborted mutiny, the Russian president’s spokesperson has said.
Twitter v Threads | Mark Zuckerberg’s new rival to Twitter, called Threads, has hit 100m sign-ups in less than five days making it one of the fastest growing online platforms.
Out of a Rutte | The four-time Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, has announced his departure from politics after the collapse of his coalition government, with a row over immigration proving too much even for his Teflon-like skills.
Full Story
Can Biden solve his supreme court problem?
In recent weeks the US supreme court has made several controversial, conservative rulings that will affect millions of people. Sam Levine, a voting rights reporter with Guardian US, talks about the stories behind these decisions, and what Joe Biden can do about them.
In-depth
The proportion of Australians making it to age 110 has barely shifted since the 1960s despite average life expectancy increasing by 13.7 years for men (to 81.3) and by 11.2 years for women (to 85.4), according to a new report. It notes that the age of Japan’s oldest people has increased in the same period, leading to a contentious discussion among academics about whether there can be a maximum lifespan for humans.
Not the news
With characteristic lack of ceremony (she says she gave up smoking overnight), Courtney Barnett (pictured) has closed her Melbourne recording label Milk! after 11 years although she admits to Brodie Lancaster that she’s still “coming to terms” with the decision. It comes as she prepares to release the appropriately titled album End of the Day, scoring the 2021 documentary about her, Anonymous Club.
The world of sport
Men’s Ashes| As Australia’s men hope to bounce back from their third Test defeat, England’s Mark Wood has promised to deliver more “thunderbolts” to upset Steve Smith and co.
Wimbledon | Russian teenager refused to shake the umpire’s hand after her defeat to Madison Keys, with no Australians into the second week we consider whether this is the truly the end of the golden age.
Football | Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou says he has not received assurances over Harry Kane’s future as the club received a new offer for Kane from Bayern Munich, which they are expected to reject.
Media roundup
The Daily Telegraph says there is a plan to impose a London-style car emissions tax in Sydney. The Queensland government has ordered an inquiry into Torres Strait health services, the Cairns Post reports, amid concerns about preventable deaths. The Age has an exclusive that Paul Little, chair of the Australian Grand Prix, is standing down. And the Adelaide Advertiser invites readers to meet the pups vying to be named the state’s cutest.
What’s happening today
Canberra | Public hearing into foreign interference through social media.
Sydney | AEC’s case against Craig Kelly over election signage continues.
Society | The ABS releases population and housing data.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
