Morning, everyone. Hours after using parliamentary privilege to accuse a fellow senator of sexual assault, Lidia Thorpe returned to the Senate chamber last night and dramatically withdrew the allegations. But she has said she will make another statement today in a story likely to dominate the day of politics ahead. There’s plenty more going on though – overseas, scientists have created synthetic human embryos from stem cells, and back home we have taken a deep dive into the voice referendum polls to work out what’s going on.
Australia
Media complaint | Lisa Wilkinson has lodged an official complaint with the Seven Network about a program that featured an interview with Bruce Lehrmann and about a separate segment on morning television. The TV star alleges the broadcasts breached commercial television standards.
Thorpe withdrawal | Lidia Thorpe has withdrawn allegations she made yesterday afternoon in parliament accusing her Senate colleague David Van of harassment and sexual assault, an allegation the Liberal politician vehemently denied. Thorpe promised to make a further statement today.
‘Just criminal’ | A spate of horrific traffic accidents including the quadruple fatality near Hamilton, Victoria, and the Hunter Valley wedding bus crash have highlighted the trauma of road deaths on close-knit communities and a road toll described by one bereaved father as “just criminal”.
Job cuts | The ABC is today expected to announce as many as 100 job cuts as part of a major restructure of the corporation beginning on 1 July.
Gun reform | Anthony Albanese will say today that a national firearms register is the “next step” for gun reform started by John Howard after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.
World
Embryo breakthrough | Scientists have created synthetic human embryos using stem cells in a groundbreaking advance that sidesteps the need for eggs or sperm. The team at the University of Cambridge say their work could help treat genetic disorders but it will raise serious ethical and legal issues.
‘Slow progress’ | Ukraine says its troops are battling under Russian “air and artillery superiority” as western officials sounded a sombre note about the difficulties facing Kyiv’s counteroffensive against a well-entrenched enemy. In the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin appears to have sided with his generals in their dispute with mercenary outfits including Wagner.
Boat tragedy | At least 78 people – nearly all of them men from Afghanistan and Pakistan – have died after the boat they were travelling in capsized off the southern Peloponnese in Greece.
Peak oil? | The worldwide demand for oil will rise to a record 102m barrels a day this year, the global energy watchdog has said, but will peak before the end of the decade as renewables and electric vehicles become more popular.
The 666 to Hel | A bus operator in Poland has announced that bus number 666 will no longer run to the town of Hel on the Baltic coast after protests from Christians who objected to the use of the “devil’s number”.
Full Story
Why did Australian fashion fall to pieces?
Over the last 30 years, many of Australia’s biggest fashion brands have shut their doors. Our lifestyle editor, Alyx Gorman, and the fashion writer Lucianne Tonti explain what went wrong and what the future holds for up-and-coming designers.
In-depth
A narrative building in some parts of the media says support for the Indigenous voice to parliament is falling, with polling appearing to provide the evidence. Our data editor, Nick Evershed, says Guardian Australia’s new voice poll tracker does show a decline but experts say the issue is complicated by polling companies asking different questions, allowing different types of responses and opaque methods.
Not the news
From a “zesty, sherbet-like” Tasmanian riesling to the delicate spiciness of a rare Victorian grenache blanc, the wine writer Thomas Carr has gone to the trouble of selecting some weightier white wines that might make you rethink winter as just the preserve of reds.
The world of sport
The Ashes | The stage is set for the much-anticipated showdown between David Warner and Stuart Broad after the latter was named in England’s XI for the first Test starting tomorrow at Edgbaston. And Steve Smith says he has improved since his heroics in 2019.
Women’s World Cup | The Sydney FC winger Cortnee Vine could cap a meteoric rise by claiming a place in the Matildas squad but she reveals how she often feels like an impostor at the highest level.
Football | Manchester United have ended their interest in signing Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur because his huge price tag would blow too much of their transfer budget. In Spain, Real Madrid have completed the signing of England midfielder Jude Bellingham for $160m.
Media roundup
The Age has an exclusive poll showing support for the Victorian Coalition at a new low of 26% amid internal ructions for its leader, John Pesutto. The Courier-Mail leads with news that the Queensland speaker, Curtis, Pitt is going back on medical leave after slurring his words in parliament. The Financial Review says Australian exporters have welcomed moves by China to stimulate its flagging economy.
What’s happening today
Sydney | A hearing resumes for the Hillsong founder, Brian Houston, who is accused of concealing child sexual abuse.
Economy | Unemployment figures will be released at 11.30am.
Queensland | There will be a pre-inquest conference for Wieambilla shootings.
If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here. And finish your day with a three-minute snapshot of the day’s main news. Sign up for our Afternoon Update newsletter here.
Prefer notifications? If you’re reading this in our app, just click here and tap “Get notifications” on the next screen for an instant alert when we publish every morning.
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.
