Good morning. Today we tell the story of an Australian man who died in a Balinese hospital after the Australian consulate failed to issue an emergency passport needed to secure a medical transfer.
Plus, we launch The Age of Inheritance, a series that looks at the estimated $5.4tn to be transferred from older Australians to younger generations. We ask who wins, who loses, and how it may change our society.
We report new analysis that suggests Victoria police may be unequally targeting people of African appearance in warrantless searches. And Matt Graham has added to Australia’s medal haul with dual moguls bronze at the Winter Olympics.
Australia
The great wealth transfer | Over the next two decades, an estimated $5.4tn will be transferred from older Australians to younger generations. It’s an almost incomprehensible figure. And it won’t be distributed evenly.
Police searches | Analysis of “hit rate” data from Victoria police searches suggests officers may be unequally targeting people perceived to be African with warrantless search powers.
Analysis | Ministers have finally voted to make Health Star Ratings mandatory – but, Melissa Davey argues, the food and agriculture lobbies still have too much power over Australia’s health policy.
Tobacco trade | Experts say a freeze on tobacco excise should be considered, after the Treasury revealed it was modelling the impacts of cigarette prices on demand amid a booming black market.
Museum heist | Queensland police have arrested a man accused of staging a burglary of priceless Egyptian artefacts – including a 2,600-year-old cat sculpture – from a museum north of Brisbane.
World
‘Deeply serious’ | The UK is mulling fresh sanctions against Moscow after pinning blame on the Kremlin for the poisoning – with dart frog toxin – of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Call to arms | Britain and Germany’s highest ranking military chiefs have made an unprecedented joint appeal to the public to accept the “moral” case for rearmament over the threat posed by Russia.
Iran protests | Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in rallies around the world in solidarity with Iran’s anti-government demonstrators, whose protests have been met with brutal repression.
Gaza crisis | At least 12 Palestinians have been killed and several more injured across the Gaza Strip as the Israeli military said it carried out airstrikes in response to ceasefire violations by Hamas.
Epstein files | When Ghislaine Maxwell refused to testify before US Congress last week, she nonetheless insisted on her willingness to help. So, can Epstein’s accomplice talk herself out of prison?
Full Story
Sideline rage at kids’ sport
A recent survey has painted a damning picture of the bullying and abuse some of Australia’s coaches, referees and club officials face each week on the field – and parents are responsible for almost half of it. Jack Snape speaks with Reged Ahmad about the impact of poor parental behaviour on grassroots sport.
In-depth
Wayne Harvey died in a Balinese hospital just days after the Australian consulate failed to issue an emergency passport that his son, Jake, says might have saved his life. After pleading for help in multiple attempts to secure a medical transfer, Jake’s emails to officials went unanswered. A complaint about the handling of the case was then ignored for more than two years. Now, Jake says he’s been left with lasting trauma.
Not the news
In the latest of our Kindness of strangers series, we hear from a reader who found themselves stranded after their beautiful new leather sofa was delivered – to the street outside their apartment building. In desperation, they drove to a local gym in search of muscle to help get it up the stairs. The gambit paid off, and restored their faith in people.
Sport
Winter Olympics | Matt Graham adds another Australian medal at Winter Olympics with dual moguls bronze; Johannes Høsflot Klæbo leads Norway to relay win and claims record ninth gold.
AFL | AFL Origin returns as no kick and giggle but spectre of injury hangs over its future, Jonathan Horn writes.
Cricket | India beat Australia by 21 runs in rain-hit first women’s T20 cricket international in Sydney; India thrash Pakistan by 61 runs in the T20 Cricket World Cup.
Football | Eberechi Eze inspires Arsenal to emphatic FA Cup victory against Wigan; Leeds sink Birmingham in penalty shootout to reach FA Cup fifth round.
Tennis | Destanee Aiava calls out “racist” tennis culture in an explosive retirement post.
Media roundup
Part of Royal Darwin Hospital’s roof – already needing repairs after storm damage – has collapsed during heavy rain, NT News reports. The construction of the world’s most advanced submarine yard in Adelaide will be a boon for SA’s economy, the Advertiser reports. As local facilities become stretched, an online platform dubbed the “Airbnb for pools” is driving huge demand in Perth, the West Australian reports.
What’s happening today
VIC | The ACCC is taking on Coles in federal court in Melbourne over alleged misleading conduct in its product pricing.
QLD | Queensland’s Commission of Inquiry into Child Safety to conduct public hearings in Toowoomba on child safety and the youth justice system.
NSW | Mardi Gras festival is on all week in Sydney.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
