Morning everyone. The eyes of the world are on Australia this morning after the long-awaited social media ban for under-16s came into force overnight. We have reports, a profile of the online safety chief who made it happen, plus an interview with her on our Full Story podcast.
Our latest Essential poll shows that support for One Nation has risen again with cost-of-living concerns at the front of voters’ minds. Bill Shorten, meanwhile, says critics of politicians’ expenses won’t be happy until they’re “hitchhiking up the Hume”, and Donald Trump says Europe is “decaying”.
Australia
Exclusive | Support for One Nation has risen to a record high of 17% in our latest Essential poll in the wake of the furore over Pauline Hanson’s burqa stunt and Barnaby Joyce’s defection from the Nationals. A majority of voters also felt pessimistic about the cost of living, and expected the price of groceries and energy to rise next year.
Access denied | Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube will risk fines of almost $50m if they do not comply with the new law that came into force at midnight, amid worldwide attention obliging them to prevent access by people under the age of 16. We have a profile with the architect of the scheme, eSafety chief Julia Inman-Grant, who is variously described as “tough” and “courageous” by supporters, but who has been subjected to the ire of Elon Musk on X and doxing by neo-Nazi groups on Telegram.
‘Can’t win’ | Anthony Albanese says his use of the parliamentary family travel allowance to claim $2,800 for trips coinciding with sporting events was “in accordance with the rules”, as some MPs called for fresh look at entitlements. Bill Shorten defended Anika Wells over her claims, saying her role as sports minister meant she was “between a rock and a hard place” in choosing whether to attend events.
Grid plan | The capacity of Australia’s main electricity grid will need to triple by 2050 – including a fivefold expansion of large-scale wind, solar and storage – to keep up with an expected doubling of demand, the operator says.
‘Bitter relief’ | Seven years after the murder of Toyah Cordingley, the people of Cairns have welcomed the jailing of her killer, Rajwinder Singh, as a “bittersweet relief” in a long campaign for justice.
World
‘Decaying’ Europe | Trump has hinted he could walk away from supporting Ukraine as he doubled down on his administration’s recent criticism of Europe, describing it as “weak” and “decaying” and claiming it was “destroying itself” through immigration. The US president’s comments and new security strategy represent the most serious crisis for the Atlantic alliance since 1945.
Protection racket | Britain’s security services allowed a top agent inside the IRA to commit murders and then impeded a police investigation into the affair, according to a damning official report. Freddie Scappaticci, AKA “Agent Stakeknife”, died in hiding in 2023 but was protected to the end.
End of the road? | The boss of Ford has said western carmakers are “in a fight for our lives” against Chinese competition as the US manufacturer agreed a new partnership with France’s Renault to make two small EVs.
Brigitte Macron | Celebrities and politicians on the left have expressed outrage after France’s first lady was filmed using a derogatory and sexist slur to describe feminist protesters at a theatre show in Paris.
Rabies death | A man in Michigan has died of rabies after receiving a kidney from another man who died of the disease when he was scratched by a skunk while defending a kitten.
Full Story
‘No playbook for this’: the eSafety commissioner on her world-first social media ban
Technology reporter Josh Taylor speaks to Julie Inman Grant about how she plans to enforce the social media ban, why it could fail, and how taking on the tech giants has come at a personal cost.
In-depth
With only weeks to go before the Australian Open, expectation will be heaped upon Alex de Minaur to become the first home winner of the men’s title for 50 years. But, as he tells Simon Chambers, the key to him having any chance of winning to is to play without pressure.
Not the news
In this week’s Antiviral column, Melissa Davey kicks the tyres on the longevity supplements which influencers claim can “repair DNA” and assist in “anti-ageing”. Is that really true?
Sport
World Cup | Fifa president Gianni Infantino has been accused of breaching his organisation’s rules on political neutrality in relation to Trump.
Football | A Mo Salah-less Liverpool are at San Siro this morning to face Inter Milan in the Champions League, while there’s also Spurs at home to Slavia Prague and Chelsea away at Atalanta.
Formula One | Our F1 correspondent picks his standout performers after a gripping finish to the season.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that a leaked Coalition plan suggests unlawful immigrants would be deported and visas torn up if people breached Australian values. Students were mistakenly told they were eligible for a scholarship at the University of Melbourne due to an administrative error, the Age claims. And West Tigers have rejected demands for refunds on memberships as fans turn on the perma-crisis club, the Telegraph reports.
What’s happening today
Environment | A subsidiary of mining firm Regis is suing environment minister Tanya Plibersek in the federal court over her decision to block part of the McPhillamys gold project.
Queensland | State parliament is sitting.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
