Morning, everyone. We have a deep-dive read this morning from our investigations editor about the fast-tracking for possible housing of land on the fringes of Sydney. This land has no public transport, inadequate water supplies and an endangered koala habitat. So why has the NSW government allowed it?
Plus, Asio’s chief says he has uncovered “a major network of spies”, and Vladimir Putin lashes out at the “American-style world” and makes a worrying nuclear move.
Australia
‘A hive of spies’ | A major network of spies has been removed from the country – including some people working undercover for years – according to the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Mike Burgess warned that foreign agents were targeting government officials, bank workers, doctors, police and journalists to steal sensitive information.
Exclusive | A decision by the NSW government to fast-track rezoning land to build 12,900 houses on Sydney’s fringe has been revealed by documents obtained by Guardian Australia. Previously farmland, the area at Appin, 80km south-west of the city, is being rezoned to allow for a huge new housing estate, despite departmental advice in 2019 that it was not needed for housing supply until 2036. The NSW planning department denied that lobbying by developers had influenced any decision and said the sites had been rezoned as part of a pilot program that allows developers to nominate projects for a fast-track rezoning assessment.
Aukus ‘leap’ | Anthony Albanese is due to flag more investment in military capability during a speech in Canberra today, calling the Aukus pact the “single biggest leap in our defence capability in our history”.
Aston byelection | Roshena Campbell, a barrister and Melbourne city councillor, has been selected as the Liberal candidate for the Aston byelection in an early test for the Albanese government and the Peter Dutton-led opposition.
‘Not great’ | The majority of the country’s most popular appliances are being packaged in unsustainable materials, a review by Choice has found, prompting the consumer advocacy group to call for an overhaul of how brands box their products.
World
‘American-style world’ | Vladimir Putin has said Russia will halt its participation in New Start, the last major remaining nuclear arms control treaty with the US, as he lashed out at the “American-style world” in a speech to the federal assembly in Moscow in the lead-up to the anniversary of his invasion of Ukraine. Joe Biden, who was in Poland for talks, said Russian forces were in disarray but China’s foreign minister has warned that the war could be “spiralling out of control”.
Short rations | The British supermarket chains Asda and Morrisons are bringing in rationing of salad items including tomatoes, capsicums and cucumbers amid shortages caused by poor weather in southern Europe and north Africa.
Scottish snag | The Scottish National party leadership candidate Kate Forbes says her bid to replace Nicola Sturgeon is still on track despite a backlash against her opposition to equal marriage.
Spain’s train pain | Spain’s transport secretary and state rail chief have resigned amid continuing public anger after it emerged that dozens of new trains ordered for two northern regions were too big to fit through some tunnels.
‘Just too much’ | As the build-up to the Academy Awards gathers pace, double winner Emma Thompson has revealed that campaigning for an Oscar made her “seriously ill”.
Full Story
Wieambilla shooting: Australia’s ‘first fundamentalist Christian terrorist attack’
After the Wieambilla shootings were designated a religiously motivated terrorist attack, Deakin University’s Dr Josh Roose explains why people are being drawn to extremist beliefs and how the terrorism threat is changing.
In-depth
Officials involved in the robodebt scheme will appear for a second time at a royal commission today after a searing indictment by a frontline Centrelink worker. Contrasting her own memories with officials “who can’t remember, can’t recall, can’t recollect”, Jeannie-Marie Blake told the inquiry “I can’t forget” what staff were “forced” to do victims of the program.
Not the news
David West Read, the writer of the hit musical & Juliet, tells us about the show’s unabashed mass appeal as it heads to Australia. “If you’re going to sit in a theatre … and you’re going to spend a lot of money on it, it’s nice to know that you’re going to come out of it feeling good.”
The world of sport
Rugby league | The NRL’s glitzy annual season launch has been cancelled, clubs have been told, amid the dispute between the clubs and the governing body.
Women’s T20 World ~Cup | Australia are likely to face India in the semi-finals after England topped Group B with a resounding 114-run victory against Pakistan.
Paris Olympics | The Albanese government and the Australian Olympic Committee are at loggerheads over whether Russian and Belarusian athletes should be permitted to compete at the 2024 Olympics, with ministers now favouring a ban.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that crossbench senators are swinging behind the government’s plans to reform superannuation tax arrangements. The Age describes Australia’s new Eurovision entry as “Monty Python meets Kraftwerk”. The West Australian says Indigenous leaders told the prime minister during his visit to the state yesterday that they would back the voice referendum but they didn’t sugar coat the realities facing their communities.
What’s happening today
Canberra | Anthony Albanese will address the Press Cub on national security.
Economy | The Australian Statistics Bureau will release the latest wage price index.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords and free Wordiply game to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
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