Morning, everyone. Our top story today reveals a worrying financialisation of the aged care sector, with consultants urging providers to exploit the system for profit. We’re also reporting from the Northern Territory where traditional owners fear “another Juukan Gorge” development disaster, we’re covering an alpaca baby boom, and we have an interview with the novelist Marcus Zusak.
Australia
OK for coal | The Australian government has approved a new coalmine development for the first time since it was elected last year. The go-ahead is expected for the Isaac River coking coalmine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
Aged care scandal | Consultants have advised aged care providers to exploit the system by considering which residents generate “higher profit margins” and urged them to “get your money now” before new regulations are introduced.
Christmas surprise | One of the world’s biggest defence contractors, BAE Systems, tried to bill the government $55,000 for Christmas cards and decorations, an audit report into the cost blowout for the new frigate program reveals.
‘Very limited’ staff | Australia’s freedom of information commissioner complained on the eve of his departure about being routinely ignored within his agency and of the pointless diversion of his “very limited” staff.
Alpaca boom | Australia’s alpaca herd is on track to jump from 350,000 to 400,000 after a baby boom in the leggy camelids fuelled by ideal breeding conditions.
World
No rain in Spain | The Spanish government has approved a €2.2bn ($3.6bn) plan to help farmers and consumers cope with an enduring drought that has been exacerbated by the hottest and driest April on record.
‘Served America well’ | CNN bosses have defended their decision to host a primetime town hall with Donald Trump after triggering widespread outrage by allowing the former president to spout lies and disinformation.
Imran ruling | Pakistan’s supreme court has ruled the arrest of the former prime minister Imran Khan was illegal and ordered that he be released.
Bird boss | Elon Musk says he has found a new chief executive for Twitter, though he didn’t reveal who it was in his tweeted announcement.
Gaza fighting | Fighting between Israel and militant groups in the Gaza Strip has intensified for the third day despite ceasefire efforts brokered by Egypt, with 28 people killed in Gaza, including at least 10 civilians, and one civilian in Israel.
Full Story
Why we should avoid a scare campaign on immigration
The Coalition has accused the Albanese government of allowing the number of immigrants to balloon, which it says will further entrench a nationwide housing crisis. Gabrielle Jackson talks to Lenore Taylor and Mike Ticher about getting the facts straight on immigration.
In-depth
The traditional owners of Darwin are warning about the risk of “another Juukan Gorge-style scenario” if the Middle Arm industrial hub development is allowed to go ahead a “stone’s throw” from the city’s only known remaining Indigenous rock art. Both NT and federal government planning guidelines advise early engagement with First Nations people about development proposals on their country but senior Larrakia people say that has not happened on Middle Arm. Lisa Cox investigates.
Not the news
In the lead-up to an ABC adaptation of his novel The Messenger, Marcus Zusak talks to Sian Cain about why he thinks the show is better than his book and coping with the success of his huge bestseller, The Book Thief. “You can’t whinge about the pressure – it’s only there because something really fortunate happened. So I would never wish The Book Thief away. It is the book you hope for.”
The world of sport
Ash Barty | The former tennis world No 1 talks about her life after retiring from the game, expecting a child and what she misses most about competing.
Football | Australia will face India, Syria and Uzbekistan in a tough Group B when the Asian Cup kicks off in Qatar in January.
AFL | All booing is infantile but not all boos are equal , writes Jonathan Horn, as he addresses this week’s big latest controversy in the sport.
Media roundup
The Financial Review casts Peter Dutton’s budget reply as “more work, not higher dole is solution” as a comment piece says the opposition leader will try to use immigration to win back middle-class votes. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside parliament in Darwin calling for action in the wake of the alleged murder of a student, NT News reports.
What’s happening today
Canberra | The inquiry into ACT police handling of the Bruce Lehrmann case continues.
Lismore | Findings are due in inquest into the death of Natasha Lechner, who died after undergoing kambo treatment in NSW.
Sydney | Former NRL player Jarryd Hayne is to be sentenced for sex offences.
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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.
