Morning mail: ‘damning’ environment report, China’s missile interception test, the story behind cult hit Grimmish

New environment minister Tanya Plibersek says she’s ‘very worried about native species extinction’ ahead of the release of the state of the environment report. Photograph: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Good morning. The former Coalition government did not release a “damning” national environmental report. China has claimed a successful test of a land-based ballistic missile interception system. And Colombia has elected its first leftwing president.

Tanya Plibersek says a “damning” national environmental report card that the former Coalition government received last year but did not release tells an “alarming story” of environmental decline, native species extinction and cultural heritage loss. In one of her first interviews as the new federal environment and water minister, Plibersek said the state of the environment report – a five-yearly scientific assessment – would be released when she gave a National Press Club address on 19 July.