Morning everyone. Ken Henry has become the latest heavyweight to weigh in on the nature laws debate, warning that the government will be exposed to a “conga line” of developers pleading for special dispensation unless the legislation is more specific.
A senior doctor has condemned “cynical” comments by Coalition MPs about a new law to allow paid leave for people who have a child who is stillborn. We’re looking at the chances of the next rate move actually being upwards, and Australia has been knocked out the Women’s Cricket World Cup as India pull off a historic run chase – the highest ever achieved in women’s ODI cricket.
Australia
Could rates go up? | The surprising jump in inflation last week has raised the unwelcome prospect that the next move in interest rates could be up rather than down, writes our economics editor, Patrick Commins.
Exclusive | The former Treasury secretary Ken Henry says “a conga line of developers” would lobby the environment minister for special carve-outs unless the Albanese government clarifies the types of projects that could be granted exemptions under its new nature laws.
Time’s up | State and territory disability ministers have threatened to boycott an upcoming NDIS meeting with the Albanese government after being told that they could only speak for a maximum of two minutes each.
‘Terrible, cynical’ | A group of Coalition parliamentarians, including Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Hastie, have seized on a proposed new law to give paid parental leave to parents of a child who is stillborn or dies, arguing it should not be available to anyone needing a late-term abortion. A senior doctor has labelled the comments as “terrible, cynical”.
Mining ‘fast-track’ | The Minns government has admitted its wide-ranging changes to planning laws, promoted as measures to speed up housing approvals, will also apply to mining and power projects, clearing the way for new mines and wind and solar farms to be fast-tracked.
World
Dinosaur drama | The fossilised remains of two dinosaurs locked in combat have unleashed a fresh drama, suggesting diminutive specimens thought to be teenagers of Tyrannosaurus rex could instead belong to separate, smaller species.
Bully bullied | The outcome of the Trump-Xi meeting looks more like a truce than durable peace, according to our diplomatic editor, with the US president learning that bullies can be bullied themselves.
Reeves risk | Keir Starmer’s adviser on ministerial standards is looking at new information about Rachel Reeves’s failure to get a licence to rent out her family home after new information came to light, Downing Street has said. The opposition has called for her to be sacked.
‘Execution shooters’ | Russian commanders are executing or deliberately sending to their deaths soldiers who refuse to fight in Ukraine, according to a new investigation, which paints a bleak picture of internal violence within the Russian army.
Cruise control | Colin Farrell has said that he once showed up so drunk to the set of Minority Report that he needed almost 50 takes to convincingly get through a line of dialogue, angering co-star Tom Cruise.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: does the Albanese government have a transparency problem?
Bridie Jabour talks to the editor, Lenore Taylor, and the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, about whether the Albanese government is failing to live up to its own expectations on transparency.
In-depth
The Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders is almost certain to be shut out of the next government after a knife-edge general election in which support for his Freedom party slumped and the liberal-progressive D66 party made spectacular gains. We profile its leader, Rob Jetten, a former junior athlete.
Not the news
The band Youth Group are best known for their hit Forever Young but how does a band with that name and that hit cope with becoming middle-aged? Quite well, it turns out, as singer Toby Martin explains to Jenny Valentish on the eve of their new album, Big Whoop, on which they draw inspiration from getting older, parenthood and their “shared history” of life on the road.
Sport
Women’s World Cup | India pulled off a dramatic record run-chase to knock reigning champions Australia out of the World Cup, led by an outstanding century from Jemimah Rodrigues.
Rugby union | Tane Edmed will take the Wallabies’ playmaking reins again against England at Twickenham this weekend as Carter Gordon’s eagerly awaited return to international rugby union has been put on hold.
Cricket | Harry Brook, England’s white-ball captain, has admitted that he is baffled by his team’s failure to get consistent results, with the batsmen especially unable to live up to their reputations.
Media roundup
Ukraine’s ambassador tells the Australian that the government has an obligation to pay his country a share of the “billions” made by the Treasury on the back of soaring commodity prices. CFMEU boss Zach Smith has quit the Labor party’s top executive committee, the Age claims. Australia Post is “waging war” on scammers preying on vulnerable people with fake parcels, the Telegraph reports. A primary school boy has died after a collision involving two e-bikes on the Sunshine Coast, the Courier Mail reports.
What’s happening today
Victoria | Committal decision at Melbourne magistrates court for two men charged over the murder of teenager Isla Bell.
Tasmania | Bruce Lehrmann to appear at Hobart magistrates court accused of stealing a car.
NSW | Disgraced MP Gareth Ward to be sentenced at Parramatta district court.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
