Morning everyone. National party MPs and senators could meet as early as today to debate a Coalition deal after David Littleproud says he was given “comfort” by the Liberals on four policy demands.
We are also reporting on growing Labor grassroots anger at the government’s alleged failure to be tougher on Israel; Australia’s youngest-ever federal senator; and Donald Trump’s niece says he’s “never evolved”.
Australia
‘A lot to learn’ | Charlotte Walker is heading for an unexpected new life in Canberra after the 21-year-old became the youngest person ever to be elected to the upper house in Labor’s landslide election win. She tells Tory Shepherd that she knows she has a lot to learn but is “not naive” about her new job.
Coalition close | David Littleproud says he has “comfort” in the tweaks to the policy package that he will present to the Nationals party room, suggesting he expects a deal to reunite the Coalition will get the nod from his MPs and senators.
Gaza ‘anger’ | Pressure is building within Labor’s grassroots membership for the government to impose sanctions on Israel over its blockade of food and aid into Gaza, with an internal pro-Palestine group reporting “a surge in anger and frustration” among members. The issue has loomed large over the Sydney Writers’ festival and we report on how Israeli and Palestinian participants have tried to navigate what one called a “moral crisis”.
‘Confected outrage’ | Paul Tilley, the former Treasury official who wrote the history of Australian tax reform, has attacked the “confected outrage” from opponents of Labor’s plan to trim concessions for people with super balances over $3m.
Treaty first | The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation has become the first traditional owner group to seek to negotiate a local treaty with the Victorian government to manage its lands in the central area of the state around Bendigo.
World
‘Never evolved’ | Donald Trump has “never evolved” and “isn’t close with anybody”, according to Mary Trump, the US president’s niece and a vocal critic of his business and political career.
Putin warned | Donald Trump says Vladimir Putin is “playing with fire” as Russia continued its bombardment of Ukraine. Follow the story live. In Germany, the chancellor’s drive to keep a campaign pledge of more robust backing for Ukraine is running into blocks within his own government as he prepares to welcome Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Berlin.
Olmert outrage | The former prime minister of Israel Ehud Olmert said that Israel is “committing war crimes” in Gaza, saying “thousands of innocent Palestinians are being killed, as well as many Israeli soldiers”.
Policing problem | The decision by police in Liverpool to release details of the ethnicity of the suspect in yesterday’s parade collision could raise “difficulties and challenges” for forces in the future, a former superintendent has said. Plus we have a detailed visual guide on how the incident unfolded.
Royal reassurance | King Charles has described Canada as “strong and free” as he gave a rare speech in the country’s parliament that served as a rebuke of Donald Trump.
Full Story
‘White genocide’ and the consequences of Trump’s conspiracies
Reged Ahmad speaks to our Washington DC bureau chief, David Smith, about Donald Trump’s false claims about South Africa and the extent to which conspiracy theories are driving his agenda.
In-depth
The collapse of the healthcare provider Healthscope has sparked debate about how it could happen and what it tells us about the state of the industry in Australia. Jonathan Barrett and Natasha May examine the business realities behind the bankruptcy, who is to blame and whether Australia has the right healthcare model.
Not the news
Danny and Michael Philippou, the Adelaide-born twins behind the surprise 2023 indie film hit Talk To Me are back with a new film about two teenage siblings as they move into a foster home. Now based in Los Angeles, the brothers tell Kelly Burke why they returned to South Australia to make Bring Her Back (“even more disturbing” than their debut) and why their next film might be about extreme wrestling.
Sport
Rugby league | As the media’s attempts to drum up some animosity between the Blues and the Maroons appears to have run into a dead end, the matches are expected to be another excellent advertisement for the code.
Tennis | Coco Gauff eased through her first match despite forgetting her rackets while Alex de Minaur eased through in straight sets while Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie led the way on another impressive day for British tennis players on the clay courts of Paris.
Rugby union | From relationship breakups, sleeping rough and media trash talk, Luke McLaughlin recalls the ups and downs of following the 2001 Lions tour.
Media roundup
The time is right for Australia to impose sanctions on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Labor luminary Gareth Evans tells the Age. A growing number of Liberal MPs think the only way the Coalition can be united is if David Littleproud is replaced as Nationals leader, according to the Australian. Firefighters tell the Port Macquarie News that it was “touch and go” during flood rescue efforts under darkness using makeshift rafts.
What’s happening today
Economy | The ABS will release the monthly inflation figures.
Education | A judgment is expected in the legal challenge to the co-ed plans of the Sydney private school Newington College.
Sydney | Comedian Kitty Flanagan will give the Women in Media oration.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
