Good afternoon. Reactions to Rupert Murdoch’s departure as chair of Fox and News Corp rippled across Australia today.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull accused Murdoch of creating an “anger-tainment ecosystem”. He argued that without Fox and News Corp, Britain probably would not have exited the European Union and Donald Trump would not have become US president.
The Australian newspaper was not tipped off about the transition. The future of the Australian, which Rupert launched in 1964, is less assured under Lachlan who is arguably less wedded to the paper than his father, writes Amanda Meade.
Top news
Lidia Thorpe open to working with Warren Mundine on treaties | The independent senator agrees with Mundine’s claim that Indigenous treaties are more likely if the referendum fails, saying she’ll “give Mundine a call”. Meanwhile, novelist Thomas Keneally writes that the astonishing claims of the no campaign are burning like lurid rockets in our sky.
New Qantas CEO apologises | Vanessa Hudson has issued an apology to customers, promising to return the airline to its former esteem after a “humbling period”. It comes as the Senate inquiry into the state of Australia’s airline industry holds its second hearing, featuring the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, various airports and farmers’ groups.
NSW police body cams delay | A plan to automatically activate body-worn cameras when police officers draw Tasers or guns has been delayed indefinitely, despite the force receiving nearly $100m in funding for the equipment more than a year ago.
Dark Mofo on hold for 2024 | The midwinter festival held in Hobart celebrating “ancient and contemporary mythologies, darkness and light, birth and death”, will be put on ice for 2024 as organisers pause “for a period of renewal”, citing rising costs.
Australian Eurovision entrant Danny Estrin reveals cancer diagnosis | The frontman for Voyager has announced he requires “immediate treatment”. Estrin announced the diagnosis on Instagram, saying he was “absolutely devastated” the band would have to cancel its upcoming European tour.
Zelenskiy secures $325m ($A506m) in new US aid | The Ukrainian president delivered an upbeat message on the war’s progress during his second White House visit since the Russian invasion. But opposition to continued Ukraine funding is intensifying among Republicans largely aligned with Donald Trump.
Canada under pressure to disclose evidence of Sikh leader’s killing | A months-long investigation by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has revealed communications involving Indian officials, including Indian diplomats working inside Canada, concerning the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The revelations come amid mounting domestic pressure for the Trudeau government to release more information on the “credible allegations”.
Lizzo sued by another ex-employee | Lawyers for 35-year-old Asha Daniels, a fashion designer who created pieces for dancers on Lizzo’s tour, filed a lawsuit alleging she was subject to bullying as well as sexual and racial harassment in an “unsafe, sexually charged workplace culture”.
Indigenous land rights win in Brazil | Brazil’s supreme court has blocked efforts to dramatically strip back Indigenous land rights in what activists called a historic victory for the South American country’s original inhabitants. The agribusiness-backed effort attempted to prevent Indigenous communities claiming land they did not physically occupy in 1988.
Full Story
Is the housing crisis finally being taken seriously? – with Lenore Taylor
Victoria and New South Wales have recently introduced a suite of reforms aimed at tackling supply, while federally, Labor’s landmark housing policy finally passed the Senate. But will they make an impact? Our editors discuss in this 20-minute episode.
What they said …
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“He has done enormous damage to the democratic world.” Malcolm Turnbull on Rupert Murdoch
The former prime minister warned Lachlan Murdoch could be even more conservative than his father.
In numbers
New South Wales and South Australia recorded the highest increases, with both up by more than 20%.
Before bed read
Before the AFL preliminary final tonight between Collingwood and GWS, poet Susie Anderson shares how football has rekindled fond memories of her deceased father and brought the family together again.
“In families it can be hard to talk about the best of times and the worst of times, but when there’s a game on, we always have a common language. The mythology of our family is tied to the club, and it connects us to something Dad loved. It also gives us a place to express big emotions – frustration, excitement, anger – and to emerge on the other side intact, unscathed and together again.”
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: SAND. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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