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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Martin Farrer

Morning Mail: poll shows support for housing action, wildfires in Canada, Russia’s spy whale

Voters back rent freezes and migration caps to help easing housing pressures.
Voters back rent freezes and migration caps to help ease housing pressures. Photograph: tap10/Getty Images

Morning everyone. Pressure will continue to mount on the Albanese government to find solutions to the nation’s housing crisis as our latest Essential poll finds growing support for the kind of ameliorative policies being proposed by the Coalition and Greens. We also have a shocking exclusive story on how nearly a third of prisoners in New South Wales are Aboriginal, and we’re looking at whether Russia has redeployed its whale spy.

Australia

Dingo in Australian OutbackDingo in Australia outback.
Most dingoes are genetically pure rather than hybrids. Photograph: Martin Harvey/Getty Images
  • ‘Pure dingoes’ | Most dingoes in Australia are pure dingoes rather than hybrids, according to a study that one expert says encourages us to “reckon with a colonial mindset and the way it influences human-wildlife conflict”.

  • Poll pressure | A majority of voters support severe measures to tackle the housing crisis including freezing rents, capping migration and using superannuation for housing, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. Half or more of respondents said the housing system was bad for: renters (63%), future generations of Australians (58%) and “Australia as a whole” (50%).

  • Bank contradiction | The big banks have loaned more than $13bn for fossil fuel projects over the past two years even as they publicly advocate for emissions reductions, a report suggests.

  • Exclusive | The proportion of Aboriginal people in prisons across New South Wales has reached a record high of 29.7%, prompting an urgent call for governments to end the “over-policing” of Indigenous communities.

  • Flag saga | A Sydney academic will not be compensated for the hurt he claimed to suffer after being fired four years ago for posting a picture online of an Israeli flag with a Nazi symbol on it – but he should get his job back, a judge has ruled.

World

turkey
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been declared the winner of Turkey’s presidential election. Photograph: Tolga Uluturk/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock
  • Turkey wobble | The Turkish lira has hit a new low after incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was declared winner of the presidential election, in a renewed sign of the economic troubles his country is expected to face in the third decade of his rule.

  • Stock questions | Former professor Kathleen Stock, who argues trans people cannot expect all rights afforded by biological sex, says she is a “moderate” as protests are expected ahead of her planned address to the Oxford Union later today.

  • Spain snap | Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has responded to the triumph of the rightwing opposition in Sunday’s regional and municipal elections by calling a snap general election.

  • Canada wildfires | Rare and “very aggressive” spring wildfires in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia have destroyed many buildings and forced thousands from their homes, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency.

  • Whale war | A beluga whale that turned up in Norway wearing a harness in 2019, prompting speculation it was a spy trained by the Russian navy, has reappeared off Sweden’s coast amid mounting tension in Europe ahead of Ukraine’s expected counteroffensive.

Full Story

Jerry Hall Marries Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch At St Brides ChurchLONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Rupert Murdoch arrives at St Bride’s Church in London accompanied by his sons James (right) and Lachlan (left) for a ceremony of celebration a day after the media mogul officially married Jerry Hall on March 5, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Rupert Murdoch flanked by his sons Lachlan (left) and James (right). Photograph: Karwai Tang/WireImage

The Murdochs’ real-life succession drama

As the celebrated TV drama Succession comes to a close, Paddy Manning, author of a book about the Murdoch media dynasty, talks to Michael Safi about the real-life succession drama that could soon engulf the family.

In-depth

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan leaves the stage after resigning during a press conference at Dumas House in Perth, Monday, May 29, 2023. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright) NO ARCHIVING
Western Australian premier Mark McGowan leaves the stage after announcing his resignation. Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP

Not many political careers end in success, but Mark McGowan has ensured just that, after quitting as Western Australia’s premier only two years since leading Labor to the most one-sided election victory in the country’s history. Narelle Towie examines how the 55-year-old’s reputation soared thanks to his tough Covid policies, but was also scarred by battles over health and youth justice policies, as well as with Clive Palmer.

Not the news

Curator Lauren Ellis at The Australian Women’s Weekly – 90 Years of an Australian Icon, an exhibition at Bendigo Art Gallery

In the 90 years of its existence, the Australian Women’s Weekly has become part of the nation’s fabric and its latest anniversary is the subject of a celebratory exhibition opening in Bendigo curated by Lauren Ellis (pictured). Kelly Burke takes a look at the knitting patterns, the war correspondents and, of course, the children’s birthday cake book.

The world of sport

2023 French Open - Day Two, Paris, France - 29 May 2023RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE Mandatory Credit: Photo by Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (13938637ab) Alex de Minaur during Roland Garros 2023 in Paris, France on May 29, 2023. 2023 French Open - Day Two, Paris, France - 29 May 2023

Media roundup

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that economics has plunged in popularity among high students because they find it “difficult, dull and boring”. As Mark McGowan’s resignation makes national headlines, the West Australian says Roger Cook and Rita Saffioti are the early contenders to take his place. A man has told how he dodged death after a crocodile attacked him from behind and “got its jaws around my head” while snorkelling in far north Queensland, the Cairns Post reports.

What’s happening today

  • Queensland | Public hearing into reducing rates of e-cigarette use.

  • Melbourne | Sentencing of Joel Russo who is accused of raping, choking and nearly drowning a woman as she jogged at Merri Creek.

  • Sydney | Mention for man who attacked police at Mark Latham One Nation speech.

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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.

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