Good afternoon.
Crisis teams are headed to the Middle East to help stranded Australian travellers and expats as Penny Wong conceded the war sparked by US and Israeli bombings of Iran is “spreading and intensifying”. When challenged to explain Australia’s position on the legality of the US and Israel’s actions, the foreign affairs minister said that was a matter “for those two countries to respond to”.
Global markets have tumbled further despite Donald Trump’s offer to have the US navy escort oil tankers through the strait of Hormuz, and travel chaos continues amid flight cancellations. Here’s what we know on day five of the conflict. Follow the Guardian’s live coverage here.
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In video
The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, channelled Billy Joel before question time, accusing Labor of fuelling inflation through reckless spending to the tune of We Didn’t Start The Fire. Wilson’s Liberal colleagues were stunned; Anthony Albanese called the performance “a human rights issue for all those who had to listen to it”.
What they said …
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“He was a master of calling everything – cricket, the Olympics, swimming and anything he turned his hand too – but footy was lucky to have him the longest for his greatest work.” – Richard Goyder.
The AFL commission chair led the tributes for Dennis Cometti after the Australian sports commentary great died at the age of 76.
Full Story
Is the US the most pressing threat to peace?
Anthony Albanese has firmly backed the strikes on Iran by the US and Israel despite saying his government does not know if there is any legal basis for them. Professor Ben Saul speaks to Nour Haydar about why law experts say it’s crystal clear the attacks were illegal and unprovoked – and why they set a dangerous precedent.
Before bed read
Kyle Sandilands traded in shocking listeners – but, as Amanda Meade puts it, this time he was the one to get a shock. At first it seemed like another fake fight, but Jackie “O” Henderson decided her long-time breakfast radio partner’s on-air verbal attack was the final straw.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: BOD. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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