Good afternoon. Peter Dutton is facing political heat after it was revealed that, during his time as home affairs minister, his department entered into a new contract with a businessman at the centre of an alleged bribery investigation – and Dutton was briefed on the investigation.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has demanded an explanation from the opposition leader, while the Greens are calling for a royal commission into “the whole offshore detention system [which] was clearly embroiled in questionable contracts”. There is no suggestion Dutton was personally involved in the contract decision.
Top news
Call for Daniel Andrews to face Senate inquiry | The Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie wants the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, to appear in front of a Senate committee investigating Australia’s preparedness to host world games – including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. The committee reopened public submissions following Victoria’s shock decision to cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which has analysts questioning the state government’s judgment and capacity.
Bruce Highway crash murder charge | Police allege Rafferty Rolfe, 25, was pursuing his girlfriend of four weeks and trying to ram the vehicle she was in before it veered on to the wrong side of the Bruce Highway and into the path of an oncoming Great Wall utility. Gypsy Satterley, 25, had been picked up by a “Good Samaritan” who, police allege, was followed by Rolfe. Retiree Terry Bishop, 65, who was driving the Navara, and Satterley died in the crash, along with the 38-year-old Jessica Townley, who was driving the Great Wall.
Police officer who shared images of Dani Laidley sacked | Det Sr Const Murray Gentner, the Victorian police officer who leaked images of former AFL coach Dani Laidley, has been sacked over a separate photo scandal involving images of dead bodies at a crime scene.
Spotify increases premium price plans | In Australia, prices are increasing by $1 a month for an individual, to $12.99, and by two dollars a month for duo and family plans, to $17.99 and $20.99 respectively. The change comes at a time when streaming services, both audio and video, are under rising investor pressure to boost profitability after years of prioritising user growth.
Women’s World Cup ticket sales milestone | The 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be the most-attended edition of the tournament yet, with more than 1.5m tickets sold just days into the month-long event. The previously best-attended Women’s World Cup, in Canada in 2015, saw 1.35m spectators through the gates across the tournament.
Twitter ditches bird for X | Elon Musk has rebranded the social platform by scrapping its iconic bird in favour of an X symbol. Dan Milmo, our global technology editor, analyses whether this will be enough for the heavily indebted Twitter to turn things around.
Israeli doctors strike | The strike is in protest against the passing of a key part of Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul, after thousands of protesters took to the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Monday night local time. The Israeli Medical Association argues the judicial reforms would “devastate the healthcare system”.
Russia bans gender changes | Vladimir Putin has signed legislation that bans people from officially or medically changing their gender, representing a further blow to Russia’s embattled LGBTQ+ community.
Obama’s personal chef drowns | Tafari Campbell, who worked at the White House during Obama’s presidency, died while paddleboarding near the ex-president’s home on Martha’s Vineyard over the weekend. Police received a call about a male paddleboarder “who had gone into the water, appeared to briefly struggle to stay on the surface, and then submerged”.
In pictures
This image, showing teenage brothers embracing after some rough play, reveals a heightened tension of closeness that questions narrowly defined notions of masculinity. It won first prize at the Kuala Lumpur international photoawards. See the photo gallery.
What they said …
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“We can’t keep telling people who are struggling that corporate super profits are off limits.” – Zach Smith, CFMEU national secretary
The construction union pressed its case at the National Press Club today for a super profits tax, warning that growing inequality might lead to “social decay and disharmony”. Labor minister Bill Shorten said the government had no plans to impose a super profits tax.
In numbers
Victorians registered the highest level of support (44%), with Western Australians least likely to be in favour (36%), according to the latest Guardian Essential poll.
Before bed read
Fellas, want to avoid a penile fracture or an “aubergine” deformity? Of course you do. Here’s one tip for the bedroom: no more reverse cowgirl – which has been deemed the world’s most dangerous sexual position.
“According to a viral TikTok video by Dr Karan Raj, the position was responsible for up to 50% of bedroom-related broken penises.”
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: REAL. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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