Morning everyone. The campaign against the voice to parliament has close links to conservative Christian groups and is importing polarising campaign techniques from the US, a Guardian investigation reveals today. Anthony Albanese has announced more military aid for Ukraine, which Kyiv called a ‘powerful’ defence package. In the UK, respected BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been named as the man at the centre of a media scandal. Plus, the NSW Blues avoided an Origin wipeout but Australia’s women have got a real fight on their hands in the Ashes.
Australia
‘Window on the universe’ | Scientists at the Parkes telescope in NSW have found evidence of gravitational waves after tracking millisecond pulsars for 18 years, unlocking what they described as “a new window into the universe”.
‘Everyone wins’ | Chief executives at our biggest companies are earning 55 times more than a typical worker, according to the country’s biggest governance adviser, with top bosses earning on average $5.2m in the 2022 financial year.
Campaign conservatives | The lobby groups campaigning to sink the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum have deep links to a number of conservative Christian organisations and consultancies, a Guardian investigation can reveal today. The no campaign is working with companies that appear to specialise in conservative Christian campaigning, including a US-headquartered marketing and fundraising firm that aims to help Christian nonprofit ministries “fulfill their mission”.
Woodside extension | Woodside’s huge Pilbara LNG project is a step closer to having its life extended for nearly 50 years after Western Australian officials dismissed appeals arguing it should be stopped on climate and cultural grounds.
Defamation dropout | The ABC has dropped its public interest defence in a defamation case brought by former commando Heston Russell after a federal court judge ordered the journalists to reveal their confidential sources.
World
‘We’re not Amazon’ | The British defence secretary has suggested Ukraine needs to be more thankful for western aid after Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s complaints about joining Nato. “We’re not Amazon,” quipped Ben Wallace (pictured), although Anthony Albanese made a point of highlighting Ukrainian gratitude after he announced Australia will send more military vehicles. In Russia Wagner has handed thousands of tonnes of weapons to the Russian army.
Presenter revealed | The wife of Huw Edwards, one of Britain’s most respected newsreaders, has named him as the BBC presenter suspended after allegations he paid for sexually explicit images. She said her husband was suffering from serious mental health issues and was receiving inpatient hospital care. The Guardian’s media editor writes that The Sun now finds itself in the line of fire after police concluded there was no evidence of serious criminal wrongdoing by Edwards.
Reefs ruined | Not only is every coral reef encumbered with plastic, but almost three-quarters of the larger items were from “ghost gear” – fishing paraphernalia such as ropes, lines and nets, a study published in Nature finds.
Human sloth clue | New research suggests humans lived in South America at the same time as now extinct giant sloths, bolstering evidence that people arrived in the Americas earlier than once thought.
‘Lightness of being’ | Czech writer Milan Kundera, who explored the human condition in works such as The Unbearable Lightness of Being, has died aged 94. Here are some of his choicest quotes.
Full Story
What are the Matildas’ World Cup chances?
The 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup kicks off next week with Australia and New Zealand playing host to 32 teams from around the globe. Our sports editors, Mike Hytner and Jo Khan, talk about the fans, the friendlies and fair pay.
In-depth
Philip Lowe may go down as one of the unluckiest central bank governors in Australian history or perhaps elsewhere, writes our economics correspondent, Peter Hannam. He has presided over a series of rate hikes not seen for decades in response to convulsions in the world economy over which he had no control, making him the whipping boy for Australia’s cost of living crisis.
Not the news
The standup comedian Ben Lomas talks to us about what makes him laugh on the internet, including a blooper from The Office, a Dutch TV presenter who can’t stop laughing, and the time a BBC news program brought on the wrong person to be interviewed.
The world of sport
State of Origin | Tries by debutant Bradman Best (pictured) helped NSW Blues to a 24-10 victory, avoiding a 3-0 humiliation in the series. But questions will remain about the future after star turns by veterans James Tedesco and Cody Walker.
Women’s Ashes | England inflicted another unaccustomed defeat on Australia in the latest stage of the women’s Ashes when they secured a tense two-wicket win in Bristol.
Wimbledon | Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka powered into the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Madison Keys, while Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur upset reigning champion Elena Rybakina.
Media roundup
The Australian reports that an entire Liberal party branch has shut down to protest against Tasmania’s Liberal government “losing its way” and becoming “elitist”. A feud between organised crime gangs is behind a string of firebombings in Melbourne, according to the Age. It’s time for NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler to step down, a Daily Telegraph column argues, despite last night’s face-saving win over the Maroons. And the big news in the West Australian is that mining magnate Andrew Forrest and his wife Nicola have split up after 31 years of marriage.
What’s happening today
Yes campaign | Indigenous leader Noel Pearson gives the annual reconciliation lecture at Federation University in Ballarat.
Amnesty International | Pro-democracy activist Chau Van Kham gives a media conference after being freed from prison in Vietnam.
Sydney | Eddie Obeid, Joe Tripodi and Tony Kelly in court charged with misconduct in public office relating to Australian Water Holdings.
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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.
