Good morning. Peter Dutton’s back-to-the-future attack line on Labor’s climate ambitions may yet gain some traction with voters, our latest Guardian Essential poll suggests today, but Labor has nevertheless regained the lead over the Coalition in two-party-preferred terms after lagging for the previous two months. That’s our top story, plus should the “uber of therapy” be better regulated? And Benjamin Netanyahu tries to gain greater control of military tactics.
Australia
Qiang shadow | The Australian government has rolled out the welcome mat as China’s premier, Li Qiang, visited Canberra, but his trip has been overshadowed by an apparent attempt by Chinese officials to block the view of the formerly detained journalist Cheng Lei during a signing ceremony. The antics of those officials show rebuilding trust will be harder than holding bilaterals.
Guardian Essential poll | Voters are split on Peter Dutton’s controversial proposal to abandon Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target, despite his plans for nuclear power being unpopular. In the poll just more than half (52%) of those surveyed said Australia should “stick to its 2030 target and that achieving this target is necessary to meet the 2050 target”.
Exclusive | Consumer advocates are calling on the privacy regulator to investigate the “Uber of therapy” platform BetterHelp as it expands in Australia, after a US ruling that the company revealed customers’ sensitive data to third parties.
‘A fail for transparency’ | Labor has been accused by independent MPs of being “more secretive than the Morrison government” and of not matching words with deeds on the matter of transparency.
World
Israel divisions | Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the Israeli war cabinet that had been overseeing the conflict in Gaza, apparently moving to solidify his grasp on decision-making over the fighting with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon but sparking street protests.
Putin trip | Vladimir Putin will travel to North Korea this week as he seeks continued military support for the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine from one of the world’s most isolated nations.
Fighting chance | Donald Trump is looking for a “fighter” as his running mate in this year’s presidential election and regards factors such as their gender or race irrelevant, according to sources close to the former US president.
Italy shipwrecks | At least 11 people have died and dozens are missing after two separate shipwrecks close to the Italian coast, rescuers said.
Editor accused | The Washington Post has published an investigation that accuses its incoming British editor of using the work of a self-described blagger who stole private records to order.
Full Story
Two years in: Amy Remeikis’ Labor report card
Political reporter Amy Remeikis talks to Jane Lee about why Labor is struggling in the polls and why we could expect an election before the end of the year.
In-depth
With Hollie Hughes going public with her grievances against Angus Taylor, we look back on some of what military people call “blue on blue” attacks – where combatants are subjected to fire from their own side. The only difference here, of course, is that the people doing the shooting are being entirely intentional. Revisit the famous attack by Julia Gillard on Kevin Rudd, the fury of Liberal women towards Scott Morrison, and Pauline Hanson versus Rod Culleton – and just about everybody else in her party.
Not the news
One explanation for one of the most pressing issues facing people in regional Australia – the lack of doctors – may be something called “urban narcissism”, according to our rural affairs writer Gabrielle Chan. This is this idea that medical care “only happens where they want to provide it and care is best in the city”, a kind of if-you-want-it-come-and-get-it-here attitude in the medical profession. Is that fair? And what would would happen if everyone just moved to the city?
The world of sport
Euro 2024 | Ukraine’s footballers wanted to remind the world about the suffering of their country but they didn’t lift spirits on the pitch as they lost 3-0 to Romania in their opening group game. Slovakia caused the first big upset by beating Belgium 1-0 (pictured) while France are taking on Austria this morning.
Golf | Rory McIlroy will be haunted by letting the US Open slip through his fingers on Sunday, according to former players and pundits, with his own coach questioning how he can come back from such a devastating loss.
Paris Olympics | A teenager who had been chosen to represent Tonga at the Paris Olympics in kitefoiling has died in a diving accident.
Media roundup
With a close call facing the RBA on rates today, an economist writes in the Financial Review that a shortage of workers is enabling the economy to weather a long period of higher borrowing costs. Parents across the country are reportedly thousands of dollars out of pocket after the cancellation of school trips to the US space agency Nasa, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. A pet shop in Geelong has gone into liquidation, the Advertiser claims, leaving grime, mess and alleged debts of $750,000. Queensland’s premier, Steven Miles, says the Sunshine Coast has nothing to fear after a landmark native title ruling over more than 365,000 hectares of land, the Courier-Mail reports.
What’s happening today
Sydney | The NSW treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, will hand down the state budget.
Economy | The Reserve Bank will announce its latest decision on interest rates at 2.30pm, and the bank’s head of payments policy, Ellis Connolly, will give a speech.
Sport | Australian football’s Hall of Fame will hold its annual induction dinner.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
