Good afternoon.
Anthony Albanese says he has asked the independent expenses watchdog to provide advice on overhauling travel perks for MPs, opening the door to changes after a backlash over politicians’ entitlements.
The prime minister confirmed the move as the Guardian revealed the trade minister, Don Farrell, charged taxpayers more than $2,200 to travel to Canberra on the same weekend he attended a wedding, describing the reason for the trip as official.
The attorney general, Michelle Rowland, has also referred her travel expenses to an independent audit. Sussan Ley has offered to “sit down with the prime minister anytime” to help reform the system.
Top news
Brittany Higgins declared bankrupt after Linda Reynolds wins defamation case
Climate protesters win groundbreaking class action against Victoria police over use of pepper spray
Reddit launches high court challenge to Australia’s under-16s social media ban
Sydney after-school childcare worker pleads guilty to using children to produce child abuse material
London venue ‘appalled’ after antisemitic imagery allegedly screened at Primal Scream gig
Liam Neeson denies anti-vax views after narrating Covid documentary
In pictures
Hannah Turner designed a flamingo-shaped egg cup (left) in her UK studio, but didn’t know The Reject Shop was selling a similar product (right) until contacted by one of her customers. The Australian retailer has told the ceramic artist it won’t restock the product.
What they said …
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“They kidnapped the crew, stole the ship and have inaugurated a new era, the era of criminal naval piracy in the Caribbean.”
Nicolás Maduro took fresh aim at the Trump administration for its seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker off the nation’s coast as the US president expanded sanctions and issued fresh threats to strike land targets in Venezuela.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: Labor’s ambition and the Coalition’s existential crisis in 2025
Anthony Albanese has been on a victory lap, while the Coalition continues to pick up the pieces after a bruising election defeat. But is there a disconnect between the prime minister’s cautious approach and the way Australians feel about their lives?
Bridie Jabour talks to Guardian Australia editor, Lenore Taylor, and deputy editors Patrick Keneally and Gabrielle Jackson about the stories that will define the year to come.
Before bed read
With gift-buying season in full swing, Allison Tait reckons Australians should focus on part four of the “four gift” rule – give them something to read. But how do you buy a book for a child who is a non-reader? Step one: get to the heart of what they love.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: CLUB. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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