Money from the fossil fuel, alcohol and gambling industries is swirling in federal politics, disclosures of political donations revealed today.
Figures for the last financial year show fossil fuel companies donated $2m to the two major parties, while alcohol and gambling companies donated $2.165m – up 40% on the previous year.
The revelation raises concerns about the potential influence of corporate money in politics and is likely to add to calls for spending and donation caps.
Top news
Pell protest to proceed | NSW police backed down from pursuing a court order to stop LGBTQ+ protesters marching outside St Mary’s Cathedral during Cardinal George Pell’s funeral. Police and protest organisers compromised on an alternative route. Meanwhile, dozens of ribbons were tied on the outer fence of the cathedral today as Pell’s casket arrived.
Court finds former commando was defamed by ABC | Former commando Heston Russell was defamed by the ABC in a series of articles that linked him to war crimes and alleged he left “fire and bodies” in his wake during his service in Afghanistan, the federal court has ruled after a preliminary hearing. The ABC has pleaded defences of substantial truth, contextual truth, and argued its reportage was in the public interest, which are still to be heard.
Tudge denies being excited by robodebt revenue | The former human services minister Alan Tudge was asked about an email which described him as saying he was “excited by the outcome of the monies recovered” from the robodebt scheme that was later found to be unlawful. “Do you recall taking that view or holding that position?” Justin Greggery KC asked. “I don’t,” Tudge replied. The royal commission continues.
Bruce Lehrmann inquiry | The ACT government confirmed it has appointed Walter Sofronoff KC, an eminent retired Queensland judge, to lead its inquiry into the handling of the Lehrmann case. The independent inquiry has significant powers, including scope to examine police conduct and whether the investigation and trial were subject to “political influence”.
Bonza ‘the bogan airline’ takes off | After a long delay, Australia’s first major new airline for 15 years took off yesterday with an inaugural flight from the Sunshine Coast – where it is based – to the Whitsundays. Our transport reporter, Elias Visontay, was among the first passengers and wrote about his experience.
George Santos withdraws from committees | The Republican congressman who has been accused of fudging everything from his career to his ethnicity has temporarily withdrawn from two House committees. Santos’s string of alleged deceit has prompted investigations at local, state and federal levels in the US.
Alec Baldwin charged | The actor and a weapons specialist have been formally charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on a New Mexico movie set. The charges come with two alternate sanctions, one with a penalty of up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 (A$7,074) fine, and another that could bring a mandatory minimum prison term of five years.
Chelsea’s record transfer | Is £106.8m (A$186.5m) an obscene amount of money to spend on a football player? English Premier League team Chelsea doesn’t seem to think so. That’s exactly how much they’re paying to prize Argentinian Enzo Fernández from Portuguese club Benfica.
What they said …
***
“That ancestral connection with Britain has been standard among the men and women who have served in my role. But the other side of my family had a very different experience of British colonisation.” – Penny Wong
The foreign minister gave a thoughtful speech in London that nudged her UK audience to be more open about its colonial past. “One of the most important ways our countries can modernise our relationships is in the story we tell the world about who we are,” she said.
In numbers
Annual returns, released by the Australian Electoral Commission, show the UAP spent $123.5m in 2021-22, more than both Labor ($116m) and the Liberals ($118m).
Before bed read
Workplace clashes are common – we’re not going to click with everyone. So how to deal with them?
“1. Don’t take the clash personally
Acknowledge that clashes are a normal part of life and calmly work out whether the conflict falls into the communication, cultural conditioning or working clash category (or all of the above).” Read the other tips.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Afternoon Update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here. And start your day with a curated breakdown of the key stories you need to know. Sign up for our Morning Mail newsletter here.
Contact us
If you have a story tip or technical issue viewing this newsletter, please reply to this email.
If you are a Guardian supporter and need assistance with regards to contributions and/or digital subscriptions, please email customer.help@guardian.co.uk
