Morning everyone. Abandoning the voice to parliament referendum would be like “worrying about winning a grand final” then not bothering to take the field, Anthony Albanese has told us, as he reached for a sporting metaphor to underline his commitment to the process amid opposition from the Coalition. Meanwhile, Malcolm Turnbull doesn’t think Labor are kicking goals over the Aukus pact either. So let’s kick off.
Australia
Aukus moment | Malcolm Turnbull says the government must answer questions about whether it will have control over the planned new nuclear submarines or whether the Aukus defence pact with the UK and US compromises Australian sovereign capability, echoing criticism from others including Paul Keating. Australian ministers Penny Wong and Richard Marles discussed Aukus in Portsmouth overnight (pictured), and Wong was also taken to task by the UK foreign secretary over her comments on his country’s colonial past.
Voice battle | Anthony Albanese has revealed in an exclusive interview with Guardian Australia that he will proceed with the referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice to parliament even if he suspects the proposal will fail from a lack of political consensus.
My Health Record | A broader range of health professionals will be able to access the My Health Record digital data platform in a push to modernise primary healthcare, with national cabinet to discuss the reforms and consider tighter privacy controls to protect patient information.
Super breaks | Tax breaks for superannuation will cost the federal budget $52.5bn this financial year, according to analysis by the Australia Institute, which argues that since super tax concessions cost almost as much as the $55.3bn spent on the pension, Australia has “two classes of state-funded retirees”.
Books | Cold Enough for Snow, a novella by Jessica Au, has won the $100,000 Victorian prize for literature and the fiction category at the Victorian premier’s literary awards, taking her total winnings to $125,000.
World
Ukraine struggle | Some experts think Russia could regain the initiative in the year-long war as Ukraine expects the invaders to mount an offensive to mark the anniversary this month.
‘Gut’ instinct | A leaked memo from a US four-star general saying his “gut” told him the US would be at war with China in 2025 has prompted warnings about the danger of “undisciplined” predictions of a Taiwan strait conflict.
Shell surge | The oil giant Shell has prompted anger in the UK after annual profits more than doubled to a record of nearly US$40bn (A$56bn), boosted by a surge in wholesale gas prices even as households struggle to pay huge energy bills.
Economics | The Bank of England has raised its base rate by 0.5% to 4%, blaming the inflationary impact of higher than expected wage rises for the hike which suggests more increases to come for other countries such as Australia.
Full Story
Is Chalmers’ essay capitalist or communist? In defence of nuance
In the wake of the furious reaction to Jim Chalmers’ speech about capitalism, editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and live news editor Patrick Keneally discuss the need for nuance.
In-depth
The search for a tiny capsule of radioactive material that fell off a truck in Western Australia made international headlines. But hundreds of radioactive sources go missing each year around the world and Australia usually sees several. “It’s relatively common,” one expert says. “It seems terrible, but a source is just a piece of industrial equipment.”
Not the news
The shadow of mortality hangs over The Candle and the Flame, Robert Forster’s eighth solo album, writes Andrew Stadfford in his four-star review of the former Go-Between’s new record. Made in the wake of his wife’s diagnosis with ovarian cancer, “it is startling in its intimacy and quiet power. But it is ultimately life-affirming”.
The world of sport
Women’s World Cup | Australia’s professional footballers union and LGBTQ+ advocates have come out strongly against Fifa for accepting sponsorship from the Saudi Arabian tourism authority for the Women’s World Cup later this year.
Athletics | The reigning women’s Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion, Sifan Hassan, will make her marathon debut in London this year in what could be the strongest lineup ever assembled.
Six Nations | England’s new coach Steve Borthwick has made sweeping changes to the starting lineup for his first match in charge against Scotland on Saturday by omitting Manu Tuilagi from the squad.
Media roundup
The Northern Territory’s chief minister must take responsibility for the “disastrous” decision to allow alcohol back into Indigenous communities, according to a territory legislative assembly member quoted by NT News. In Sydney, the Daily Telegraph leads with the shocking death of a three-year-old boy who had been left in a car in 34C heat. The Age says the decision to make Melbourne’s brutalist Cardigan House car park a listed building has upset some residents. The AFR reports that the IMF’s suggestion that capital gains on the sale of primary residences has been met with scepticism from some economists.
What’s happening today
Canberra | Anthony Albanese will meet state and territory leaders for national cabinet to discuss healthcare.
Tennis | Nick Kyrgios is due to make an application in the ACT to have a common assault charge against him dismissed.
Courts | An interlocutory hearing is due in the workplace case made by staffer Sally Rugg against teal MP Monique Ryan.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords and free Wordiply game to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
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