Good morning. The government will make it easier for some casuals to convert to full-time work if they choose, in the first step of a new tranche of workplace changes. Workplace relations minister Tony Burke says the changes will prevent employers from “double dipping” – taking all the advantages of a reliable workforce and not providing any of the job security in return.
Meanwhile: Australia has retained the Ashes after rain in Manchester doused England’s chance of victory in the fourth Test. Public school funding is slipping behind that of private schools as states fail to meet their targets. And Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus has smashed a world record in an encounter dubbed the Race of the Century.
Australia
Parliamentary reform | New South Wales has approved $15m for reforms after a report last year uncovered systemic bullying, alleged sexual assaults and widespread harassment within the state’s parliament. It comes as Liberal MP Taylor Martin apologised for what he called “heated words” in a relationship breakup.
Job security | Workers stuck as casuals but working regular hours will be given new rights and a pathway to permanent work as part of the government’s proposed employment reforms.
Education | Public school funding is falling behind private schools in part due to the states failing to meet the targets set for them six years ago, with the biggest gap seen in the Northern Territory.
Road deaths | Australia’s road toll is still rising despite a nationwide target to halve road deaths by 2030, with only one state on track to meet the goal.
Dr Google? | Google’s health officer has urged caution about the limits of AI in healthcare and tells Guardian Australia that AI will fill the gaps rather than becoming a “doctor in the pocket”.
World
Wildfires rage | Greece has mounted its biggest evacuation ever, moving 19,000 people from villages and resorts on Rhodes as blazes continue to spread uncontrollably across the Aegean island.
Hun Sen | Cambodia’s authoritarian leader has warned voters who destroyed their ballots to turn themselves in or face consequences, following a one-sided election in which he ran virtually uncontested.
Elon Musk | The Twitter owner has vowed to axe the social media platform’s distinctive bird logo, in the latest in a series of shake-ups under his stewardship.
‘This is barbarism’ | Russia’s missile strike on the Transfiguration Cathedral at the heart of Odesa’s Unesco-listed historic centre was followed by a scramble to preserve precious relics.
Spanish election | While projections suggested that voters would take a swing to the right, the race remained tight as counting continues in Spain’s hard-fought snap general election.
Full Story
How would a possible third indictment affect Trump’s 2024 run?
Donald Trump has said he has received a letter suggesting he was about to be indicted by special counsel Jack Smith in connection with the criminal investigation into the Capitol riot on 6 January 2021. It would be his third criminal indictment. Jonathan Freedland asks Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, if the pile of indictments could grow too large even for Trump – and his voters. And who might Republicans turn to next?
In-depth
The great Chinese construction boom has lasted longer than anyone thought possible. But after two decades of stunning economic growth, evidence of a slowdown suggests the processes of industrialisation and urbanisation are reaching their limits in China. This is not good news for Australia’s coal and iron ore exports, but professor John Quiggan from the University of Queensland says there is no need to panic.
Not the news
The tone of John Farnham: Finding the Voice is fawning. This is one of those gushy accounts of music history in which almost everybody has the Midas touch, and almost everybody is a legend and/or talking about a legend. It’s also one in which any serious exploration of the subject’s vices or moral failings are no-fly zones. Luke Buckmaster finds its eulogistic vibes a bit weird.
The world of sport
Ashes | Relentless rain completely washed out the final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford to deny England a chance of victory – guaranteeing Australia will hold on to the urn until at least 2025-26.
‘Race of the Century’ | In lane three was the world record holder, in lane four the world champion and in lane five the Olympic champion – the latter, Australian Ariarne Titmus. The women’s 400m at the swimming world championships in Fukuoka was an exhilarating battle.
Weekend sport | Manly, Newcastle, North Queensland, New Zealand and Brisbane post wins in the NRL, while Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne were victorious in the AFL as Collingwood condemns racist abuse.
Football | Perth Glory goes under, while the Matildas fuel up without Sam Kerr.
Cycling | Jonas Vingegaard completes second Tour de France win as Jordi Meeus takes final stage in Paris.
Media roundup
The European Union’s most senior diplomat is confident Australia and Europe will end their impasse and strike a trade deal that will allow each to diversify their economies and reduce dependence on China, reports the Age. The NSW heritage watchdog has been portrayed as weak and largely ineffective in a damning audit which found it had taken up to 17 years to assess properties for protection, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. A southern Tasmanian doctor is fearful that environmental factors such as water quality could be contributing to the poor health of some residents along the Upper Derwent and Plenty Rivers, reports the Mercury.
What’s happening today
NSW | Workplace relations minister Tony Burke is due to give a speech to the Sydney Institute about upcoming reforms.
Western Australia | Public hearing for the inquiry into food security in Australia is due to be held in Perth.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
