Morning everyone. After pressure from backbenchers, thinktanks and the public, the government will raise the rate of the jobseeker allowance – at least for the over-55s. Our latest Guardian Essential poll shows that a majority of voters back a wider increase. We’ve got more on these stories, plus a big move to tackle the “menace” of vaping and a report from an NT community racked by violence.
Australia
Vaping ban | The government will ban the importation of nonprescription vaping products – including those that do not contain nicotine – in the most significant tobacco and vaping control measures in Australia in a decade. The health minister, Mark Butler, said that the tobacco industry was trying to create a “new generation of nicotine addicts” and he was “determined to stamp out this public health menace”.
Poverty package | A new poll suggests half of Australian voters support raising jobseeker from $50 a day, significantly more than the 28% who oppose a raise in the payment. Our Essential poll of 1,130 voters also finds more than three-quarters (78%) want the government to provide cost-of-living support in the budget, as opposed to just 22% who favour reducing debt by cutting services. The government is poised to increase jobseeker for people aged over 55.
Bank boost | Australia’s big four banks, forecast to post a combined $16.2bn six-month cash profit when they release their results over the next week, are seeing fatter margins as they lift lending rates. But the RBA is tipped to leave the cash rate steady at 3.6% at its monthly meeting today.
Super scourge | Employers will be required to pay superannuation on payday, rather than quarterly, under reforms aimed at cracking down on the scourge of more than $3bn of super that goes unpaid each year.
‘We need help’ | Residents of the remote Northern Territory community of Peppimenarti say they have been forced to flee their homes or endure violence, including stabbings and sexual assaults, amid claims the government has abandoned them.
World
Dominion demand | Dominion Voting Systems, which last month reached a $US787.5m settlement in its $US1.6bn defamation case against Fox News, is seeking wider accountability for the broadcast of Donald Trump’s election fraud lies and will “not … stop until we get it”, a co-founder says. We’re also reporting today that before he was fired by Fox, Tucker Carlson was caught being very critical of the company’s streaming service, Fox Nation, pictured above with star Roseanne Barr.
Flying free | Sales of private jets are likely to reach their record highest level this year. Many of the owners escape aviation taxes, and there are few curbs on the greenhouse gases emitted.
Sudan evacuation | The British military will oversee another evacuation flight from Sudan as fighting between rival armies continues to rage in the capital, Khartoum, and medics warn the health system could collapse.
Banana drama | A South Korean art student who ate a banana that formed part of a renowned installation by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan in a museum in Seoul said he did so because he was hungry.
Parkinson’s plight | Michael J Fox has described Parkinson’s as a “gift that keeps on taking” in a television interview in which the 61-year-old actor talks about the disease he has lived with for more than 30 years.
Full Story
Why is Prince Harry suing the Sun and other tabloids?
The Guardian’s media editor, Jim Waterson, discusses the prince’s extraordinary claims about tabloid intrusion, including that his brother, William, received a “very large sum” from News Group newspapers to settle his phone-hacking claim.
In-depth
The death of celebrity Jock Zonfrillo, pictured above left, at the age of 46 has shocked the world of TV where he was about to star as a judge in the new series of MasterChef Australia last night. The Scottish-born cook courted controversy in his career in the limelight when a project to create a database of Australian ingredients led to legal disputes. Our obituary tracks his path from starting his career in kitchens at the age of 12 to opening prize-winning restaurants.
Not the news
Stephen Cummings, former frontman of the beloved 70s band the Sports, talks to us about his recovery after suffering a stroke at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. He’s now back with a new album. “The idea that I would never be able to sing again, even just for a bit of fun, was really upsetting,” he says.
The world of sport
Women’s football| Arsenal’s women – featuring Australia’s Steph Catley, pictured – lost to Wolfsburg in the Champions League semi-final this morning in front of a record 60,063 fans.
Formula One | Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, has called on Formula One to act to prevent a recurrence of a “boring” Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Women’s sport | The announcement last week that Nine will broadcast all 48 games of this season’s NRLW competition pushes the visibility of women’s sport to levels never seen before, writes Megan Maurice.
Media roundup
A survey by the Institute of Public Affairs claims that 60% of people want a pause in migration until more infrastructure can be built, the Australian reports. Republicans are demanding that Anthony Albanese stays silent during the loyalty oath at Saturday’s coronation of King Charles, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. A UK defence company has sounded out Scott Morrison about taking up a senior role, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
Economy | The Reserve Bank board meets and will announce its monthly decision on interest rates at 2.30pm.
Canberra | The health minister, Mark Butler, is speaking at the National Press Club.
Monarchy | Anthony Albanese leaves for the UK for King Charles’s coronation on Saturday.
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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.
