Good morning. The federal government will today confirm the first back-to-back surplus in 15 years. Jim Chalmers says the better-than-forecast 2023-24 budget position, which is more than $6bn higher than predicted in May, has come “entirely” from lower government spending.
As the anniversary of the 7 October attacks looms Penny Wong has expressed despair at the cycles of “continued retribution” in the Middle East while again urging for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.
And Australia have beaten England to seal the ODI series. The win came via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after rain halted play in Bristol.
Australia
‘Constant fear’ | An Australia Post employee allegedly stalked a 64-year-old woman he encountered on his mail run, prompting police to apply for a personal safety intervention order against him.
Opening the books | The treasurer is poised to confirm the first back-to-back federal budget surpluses in more than 15 years – at $15.8bn, it’s more than $6bn bigger than predicted in the May budget.
Healthcare costs | Out-of-pocket costs to visit general practitioners are higher than ever, a survey has found – with those with chronic, complex and mental illnesses being hit the hardest.
Foreign policy | As Palestinian and Jewish groups prepare to mark the first anniversary of the 7 October attacks, the Australian government has again condemned the escalating cycle of violence in the Middle East.
Strike action | More than 1,000 Qantas engineers across Australia are walking off the job in industrial action they claim could kick the week off with peak-hour travel chaos.
World
Middle East crisis | Israel has launched fresh strikes targeting the Houthis in Yemen as it continues to bomb Lebanon; the US was not given notice of the Israeli strike that killed Hassan Nasrallah, a top Biden aide says; which Hezbollah leaders have been killed and who will succeed Nasrallah, Jason Burke asks.
US politics | Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are speaking in swing states as their running mates prep for the VP debate; why is Harris distancing herself from Joe Biden’s record, David Smith asks; a Florida Republican has been charged over an alleged threat to “call up a hit squad” to kill his primary rival.
‘Shocking act’ | The former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has accused the UK government of hypocrisy and concealment as it continues to block the release of secret files about the Spycatcher affair.
Austria elections | Preliminary results from the general election showed the far-right Freedom party winning the most votes for the first time in the postwar period.
Haka world record | New Zealand has reclaimed the world record for the largest mass haka after more than 6,000 people performed the Māori dance in Auckland, dethroning France.
Full Story
When will Australia’s public schools be fully funded?
The commonwealth’s offer of a 2.5% funding boost to each state would increase how much it gives to public schools by $16bn over the decade. Tasmania and WA have signed up, but NSW, Victoria, SA and Queensland are holding out for more. Nour Haydar speaks with Caitlin Cassidy about why everyone agrees public education is underfunded – but can’t agree on who should fork out the funds.
In-depth
The dejection of young people is palpable, the author Tim Winton writes. But while they are being noticed, they’re not really being seen: their situation, as inheritors of the climate crisis whirlwind, is not being acknowledged. These kids have arrived at an uncanny moment, he says, for the ground underfoot feels unsafe. The air they breathe is suspect and the people they should be able to rely upon to act in their best interests have demonstrated time and again they cannot be trusted.
Not the news
When Ben Shewry took ownership of Attica in 2015, he realised that the biggest danger to the restaurant’s viability was still a bad review, despite all the accolades it had won. This constant precariousness is one reason why, in his new memoir – Uses for Obsession – the acclaimed chef denounces the “incredibly problematic” restaurant awards system that helped make Attica famous.
The world of sport
Cricket | Australia beat a misfiring England by 49 runs (DLS), sealing their ODI series 3-2 after rain affected play in the deciding match.
Rugby league | Penrith v Melbourne is a clash of NRL titans where generational greatness is at stake, Nick Tedeschi writes.
AFL | Bloodied Swans crawl off the canvas after another AFL grand final capitulation, Jack Snape writes.
Football | Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side humiliated Manchester United with a 0-3 win; Liam Delap’s ruthless double for Ipswich denied Aston Villa victory.
Cycling | Australian Ben O’Connor took second in the UCI world road race championship, as Tadej Pogačar won the rainbow stripes in Zurich.
Media roundup
Community leaders are calling out drug dealers as suspicions grow missing men could have met with foul play due to the meth trade in northern WA, ABC News reports. A prominent environment group has launched another legal challenge against fracking in the Beetaloo basin, NT News reports. The beach where the Phillip Island penguin parade takes place is expected to erode by about 20cm a year – and a painstaking refresh of its facilities will not be the last, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
ACT | Public hearings are scheduled in Canberra in the parliamentary inquiry into social media and Australian society.
Queensland | Campaigning continues with four weeks to go until Queensland’s state election.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
