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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Kris Swales

Afternoon Update: Reynolds’ bankruptcy claim against Higgins; search for missing Gus expands; and last chance for bird of the year

Two-way composite of Brittany Higgins and WA senator Linda Reynolds
Brittany Higgins (left) was ordered to pay Linda Reynolds damages in August after a WA supreme court judge found Higgins had defamed her former boss in social media posts. Reynolds has now launched a bankruptcy claim against Higgins. Composite: AAP

Linda Reynolds has launched bankruptcy proceedings against Brittany Higgins in an effort to claim more than $1m in damages and legal fees after her defamation win against her former staffer in August.

Higgins was ordered to pay Reynolds $315,000 in damages with an additional $26,109 in interest after a WA supreme court judge found Higgins had defamed Reynolds in social media posts. Higgins and her husband, David Sharaz, were also ordered to pay for 80% of Reynolds’ legal costs – a figure expected to surpass $1m.

Top news

In pictures


The last 20 living hostages held by Hamas arrived in Israel overnight after more than two years in captivity – these images show some of the joyful reunions. You can also listen to our Full Story episode on the release of Palestinian detainees and Israeli hostages, and how the day unfolded.

What they said …

***

“I lost a friend of almost 40 years” – Nancy Meyers

The film-maker has paid tribute to the late Diane Keaton, her collaborator on celebrated comedies Something’s Gotta Give, Baby Boom and Father of the Bride.

Full Story

What Pocock’s ban from parliament’s sport club says about lobbying

Last week, independent senator and former elite athlete David Pocock was banned from the parliament’s social sports club after raising concerns about its association with gambling lobbyists.

Senior reporter Henry Belot speaks to Reged Ahmad about how he broke the story and what the saga says about how lobbyists access politicians.

Listen to the episode here.

Before bed read

“Watching from Australia while Donald Trump targets my home of Chicago with armed troops prompts deep questions,” writes Guardian Australia’s senior audio producer, Miles Herbert.

“In Australia, our politics are very different. But we are not immune to the anti-democratic ideas that have flourished around the globe … I never again want to have to look back and wonder, could I have done more?”

Last day to vote for the 2025 Australian bird of the year

The final day of voting for the 2025 Australian bird of the year has arrived, with more than 250,000 votes received so far and an official top 10.

You can vote here until 6am tomorrow – the winner will be announced on Thursday.

Daily word game

Today’s starter word is: DATE. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.

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