Morning everyone. When Labor won the May election, one of the party’s signature policies was to set an emissions target of 43%, helping to maintain a progressive front and neutralise the Coalition’s climate wars. But today we can reveal the fierce internal battle and collective anxiety that raged behind the scenes before Anthony Albanese prevailed.
The Christmas travel season promises to be expensive and trying on the nerves thanks to rising fares and falling airline staff numbers, while Indigenous rapper Baker Boy cleaned up at the Arias.
Australia
Exclusive | Labor’s emissions policy at the federal election was a bold move but met with a lot of resistance from senior figures in the leadership group who feared it could cost them victory. Our political editor, Katharine Murphy, reveals the fascinating story.
‘Absolute scandal’ | The Albanese government’s failure to wind up the controversial ParentsNext program is not consistent with its commitment to gender equity, women’s advocates argue.
Paper Jam | The federal environment department is taking legal action to block Guardian Australia from accessing documents about an investigation into illegal land-clearing by Jam Land, a company linked to the shadow treasurer, Angus Taylor.
Peterson pull | The Canadian psychologist and internet personality Jordan Peterson drew an admiring crowd of rightwing politicians including Scott Morrison and Pauline Hanson for a lecture in Canberra touching on energy, climate and opportunities for the centre-right.
Fabulous Baker Boy | Indigenous rapper Baker Boy won five awards – including album of the year – and Tones And I won song of the year at the Arias in Sydney.
World
Heatwave deaths | More than 20,000 people died across western Europe in this year’s heatwaves, figures show, with scientists blaming climate breakdown for the 40C-plus temperatures.
Migrant Britain | A record 504,000 more people arrived in the UK than left in the year to June, boosted by Ukrainians, Hongkongers, and international students. The Conservative government wants the figure to be nearer 100,000.
Ukraine claim | Iranian advisers helping Russian troops have been killed in Crimea, Kyiv has claimed, and in Russia a new law bans LGBT+ “propaganda” among adults.
Sexism in Spain | Rightwing politicians have used the controversy surrounding Spain’s new “only yes means yes” consent law to launch bitterly sexist and personal attacks on Irene Montero, the equality minister who championed the legislation.
‘Painstaking work’ | A team of researchers have cracked a five century-old code that reveals a rumoured French plot to kill the Roman emperor and king of Spain Charles V.
Full Story
Are electric vehicles about to become affordable?
Labor legislation means electric cars are finally poised to become cheaper. In this episode, Lenore Taylor and Mike Ticher discuss the new electric car discount, and the road to zero-emissions vehicles.
In-depth
Australians are facing an expensive and potentially chaotic end-of-year travel season, with record-high air fares and the threat of fresh industrial action by Qantas flight attendants coming to a head over Christmas. The cheapest Melbourne-to-Sydney return fares in December are $268, while travelling to London will set you back at least $2,250. Experts blame staff shortages, high fuel prices and pent-up, post-pandemic demand.
Not the news
Australia’s dog of choice is increasingly some kind of oodle – partly because they don’t shed. But the downside of the oodle boom is that they need a lot more grooming and there is now dire shortage of dog groomers. Kate Cunningham investigates a shaggy dog story.
The world of sport
World Cup | Cristiano Ronaldo, pictured, became the first player to score in five World Cups when his penalty helped Portugal beat Ghana 3-2 in a thriller this morning. Earlier, Uruguay drew 0-0 with South Korea, and Switzerland squeaked past Cameroon 1-0.
Rugby union | Wales have reloaded with experience after the humbling loss to Georgia while injury-hit Australia hand full Test debuts to the fly-half Ben Donaldson and the No 8 Langi Gleeson.
AFLW | Daisy Pearce is already assured of a place among the game’s greats and she hopes to add a first flag to her achievements when she leads the Demons against the Lions in Sunday’s grand final.
Media roundup
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald both serialise a new book about Scott Morrison which claims the former prime minister alienated colleagues with his “extreme overreach”. The Canberra Times claims that the ACT is on the verge of “regaining the right to legislate on voluntary assisted dying” after a resounding Senate vote yesterday. With one day of campaigning to go in the state election, the Herald Sun asks “Has Dan been good for Victoria?”. Rare earth metals are the gateway to the next mining boom, the Australian reports Jim Chalmers as saying. And the West Australian reports that nurses claim midwifery excellence awards have been cancelled as “punishment” for them going on strike today.
What’s happening today
Housing summit | Australia’s largest super funds, banks, the Future Fund and investment firm Blackrock will meet treasurer Jim Chalmers in the latest push to tackle the shortage of affordable housing.
Flood visit | The NSW premier, Dominic Perrottet, is expected to tour the flood-hit town of Condobolin and will speak to the media at lunchtime.
Manus death | Pre-inquest hearing in Brisbane into the death of refugee Ishak Ahmed who fell down a flight of stairs at a Manus detention centre.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
