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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Paul Gallagher

Morning Mail: PM reveals green industry strategy; Biden ‘considering’ dropping Assange charges; Queensland conspiracy theories

The PM will make a speech to the Queensland Press Club on Thursday launching a new green interventionist industry policy.
‘Australia can’t afford to sit on the sidelines,’ Anthony Albanese will say to the Queensland Press Club in a speech launching a new green interventionist industry policy. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Good morning. In a speech to the Queensland Press Club, Anthony Albanese will today outline his vision for a green interventionist industry policy that will use direct government support to drive innovation and investment – which he compares to Joe Biden’s $500m Inflation Reduction Act.

Meanwhile, we take a look at the My Place network that pushes conspiracy theories about topics such as 5G, chemtrails and fluoride – and has taken an interest in Queensland’s council elections.

And: the US president says he’s “considering” a request from Australia to drop the decade-long push to prosecute WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Australia

World

Full Story

How Centrepay plunged vulnerable Australians into debt

A Guardian investigation has revealed that Centrepay – a debit scheme originally designed to help people on welfare pay bills and expenses – is exposing people to financial harm. Now advocates say urgent action is needed to protect the most vulnerable. Lorena Allam and Christopher Knaus tell Matilda Boseley about how the scheme crashed wildly off course – and why repeated calls for reform have gone unanswered.

In-depth

The Labor MP Julian Hill’s declaration of a 75-centimetre statue of himself, given by a constituent, has shone a light on the interesting – and sometimes weird – world of political disclosures and gifts. Ranging from bottles of wine to customised vinyl record turntables, free concert tickets and flight upgrades, gifts are accepted and dutifully recorded on the federal politicians’ publicly available register of interests.

Not the news

Horseback archery is having a moment, as a rise in popularity helps it draw new riders from across Australia. Enthusiasts say the sport is more inclusive and less snobby than other equestrian pursuits, making beginners feel more welcome. As well as the fast-paced canter events, riders can compete in more forgiving walk or trot classes – with other options for people with disabilities to take part.

The world of sport

Media roundup

Northern Beaches hospital is cutting staff from its mental health and maternity units as the multibillion-dollar company running it restructures about $1.6bn in debt owed to overseas investors, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. A new study by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute has found a blood protein that could predict which children struggle to recover from concussions, reports ABC News. An exodus of board members and staff from the Melbourne writers festival just weeks out from this year’s program has raised questions about its future viability, reports the Age.

What’s happening today

  • Anthony Albanese | The prime minister will make a speech to the Queensland Press Club outlining his plan for a green interventionist industry policy.

  • ACT | A public hearing is scheduled in the Senate select committee on supermarket prices.

  • Northern Territory | A public hearing is scheduled in the Senate inquiry into the Middle Arm industrial precinct.

  • ABS | The Australian Bureau of Statistics is set to release its latest building approvals and monthly business turnover data.

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Brain teaser

And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.

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