Good morning. Our exclusive top story this morning reveals that Peter Dutton claimed $23,000 in travel expenses to fly to Tamworth to make a speech at a News Corp event on the cost-of-living crisis. It comes as Anthony Albanese tells us in an exclusive interview that his rival is not fit for the top job, based on his re-igniting the climate wars (we also have a useful explainer on what Dutton’s position is, and what it means).
We have a special report on how the Nauru detention camp is filling up again and Ariarne Titmus has broken the world 200m freestyle record.
Australia
Rental rort | Thousands of short-stay rentals are flouting registration rules in Sydney, research has found, as the city council calls for more regulation of the sector despite a pushback from players such as Airbnb.
Exclusive | The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, used a taxpayer-funded private jet to travel to a News Corp event in Tamworth, claiming $23,000 in travel expenses to speak at the summit, where he criticised the government’s response to the cost-of-living crisis.
Exclusive | Our political editor has sat down with the prime minister, who tells her that Dutton has forfeited his claim to the top job because refusing to name a short-term emissions reduction target shows he is not serious about addressing climate change. Our climate and environment editor has broken down exactly what Dutton is saying – and what he’s not saying.
Cost-of-living gulf | Australians on income support are “structurally unable to afford the basics of life”, according to a report by Anglicare, with the average jobseeker recipient having a $135 a week shortfall on just the basic weekly cost of food, housing and transport.
Assaults increase | Reports of sexual assault in New South Wales have risen 42% in the past five years, according to data that also shows a “significant” rise in three other criminal offences.
World
Havana affair | A fleet of Russian warships has arrived in Havana in a visit seen as a show of strength amid tensions with the west over support for Ukraine. The British band Massive Attack has pulled out of a gig in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi in solidarity with anti-Russian protests.
War crime allegations | A UN investigation has accused Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity on and since 7 October. Changes suggested by Hamas to a proposed peace deal are unworkable, Antony Blinken has said.
Lucy Letby trial | A UK nurse who murdered seven babies was “caught virtually red-handed” trying to kill another newborn by dislodging her breathing tube two hours after she was born, a jury at her trial for attempted murder has been told.
Greece heatwave | The Acropolis, Greece’s most visited tourist site, was closed to the public during the hottest hours of Wednesday as the season’s earliest-ever heatwave swept the country.
Bear break-in | A black bear shredded seats and then dozed off after breaking into a Canadian woman’s car for the second time in a year.
Full Story
Anthony Albanese on climate change, Gaza and China
Our political editor, Karen Middleton, talks to the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, about the Coalition’s decision to ditch the 2030 emissions target, pro-Palestine protests outside electorate offices, and the Indigenous voice eight months on.
In-depth
“We don’t know how long we will be here, what will happen to us. Our situation is very difficult,” says Mohammad Bashir Anjum, a Pakistani asylum seeker who is one of a growing number sent to Nauru in the 12 months since it was emptied. Detainees tell our reporter Ben Doherty that they fear being held there for years.
Not the news
Whichever way you look at it, Lindy Lee’s artwork Ouroboros is a big deal. Scale, ambition, cost, controversy: it’s got everything. Tomorow, it will begin its four-day journey to Canberra from the foundry in Brisbane where its huge metal pieces were made, requiring a police escort to get there. When it arrives at the NGA it will certainly have fulfilled its brief of “announcing” the gallery to the world. Susan Chenery reports.
The world of sport
Swimming | Ariarne Titmus has broken the 200m freestyle world record at Australia’s Olympic swimming trials in Brisbane, with her time of one minute 52.23 seconds bettering compatriot Mollie O’Callaghan’s previous benchmark.
T20 World Cup | Unlike other Test teams, Australia are having no problem mowing down the lesser sides in the Caribbean, which is ominous for everyone else, including England, although India beat the USA overnight to progress.
Olympics | The transgender US swimmer Lia Thomas has lost a legal case against World Aquatics at the court of arbitration for sport – and with it any hopes of making next month’s Paris Olympics.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald carries an analysis piece on why Jarryd Hayne’s assault conviction was quashed and why he might not face a retrial. Victoria’s opposition leader, John Pesutto, ignored a plea from his chief of staff not to rush into expelling Moira Deeming from the Liberal party, the Herald Sun claims. The Gold Coast Bulletin hails the “sensational” code switch by Wallabies playmaker Carter Gordon to the NRL and the Titans. The reign of terror of a “problem croc” that ate several dogs in a remote Northern Territory community is over after it was captured and served up in a feast, NT News.
What’s happening today
Sydney | Chris Dawson appeal judgment due at 2pm at NSW criminal court of appeal.
Melbourne | Three-day sit-in begins outside home affairs minister Clare O’Neil’s electorate office calling for permanent visas for refugees.
Economy | ABS releases the latest employment figures at 11.30am.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
