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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Martin Farrer

Morning Mail: Super profits tax push to ‘fix’ housing crisis, poll verdict on Games axing, Greece wildfire evacuation

The CFMEU says a super profits tax of 40% of excess profits would ‘comfortably’ cover the cost of building more than 750,000 new social and affordable homes.
The CFMEU says a super profits tax of 40% of excess profits would ‘comfortably’ cover the cost of building more than 750,000 new social and affordable homes. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Morning everyone. Today the powerful construction workers’ union says the answer to the housing crisis is to levy a tax on corporate profits and use the money to build more homes. That’s our top story this morning, and we also have an Essential poll revealing what voters think about the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games. Plus: tips on how to live a longer life, and a guide to the Miles Franklin shortlist (the winner is announced today).

Australia

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to media during a press conference at Parliament House in Melbourne, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The Andrews Labor Government has cancelled the 2026 Commonwealth Games, slated to be held across Victoria. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING
44% of Victorians support premier Daniel Andrews’ decision to cancel hosting the Commonwealth Games, the Guardian Essential poll has found. Photograph: James Ross/AAP
  • Games verdict | More than 40% of Australians agree with Daniel Andrews’ decision to scrap the Commonwealth Games in Victoria (compared with 36% who disagree), with support in his home state at 44%, the Guardian Essential poll shows.

  • Housing fix | Labor must be “much more ambitious” in addressing the housing crisis, the CFMEU construction union says, and wants the government to implement a super profits tax of 40% to raise billions for building 750,000 new social and affordable homes.

  • Chocolate spike | Chocoholics are facing a steep increase in the price of their favourite treats of up to 25% after flooding in west Africa hit production of cocoa beans, Australian financial analysts say.

  • Voice controversy | Former Labor minister Gary Johns has refused to quit the voice no campaign after he doubled down on “outdated” views about Indigenous benefits, while Barnaby Joyce claimed the voice would become a “quasi House of Lords”.

  • ‘Stunned by the ferocity’ | Climate scientists are watching climate records fall as a blistering heatwave engulfs much of the northern hemisphere. Seven of them tell Guardian Australia their views on what it means, and whether they feel despair or hope.

World

A protest rally against the Israeli government’s judicial reform plan in Tel Aviv on 24 July.
A protest rally against the Israeli government’s judicial reform plan in Tel Aviv on 24 July. Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images

Full Story

Wildfire rage on the Greek island of Rhodes on 23 July.
Wildfires rage on the Greek island of Rhodes on 23 July. Photograph: Aristidis Vafeiadakis/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock

What an El Niño summer would mean for Australia

With fires raging through the northern hemisphere, science writer Donna Lu explains to Laura Murphy-Oates what the coming Australian summer could look like, and how to adapt to a warming world.

In-depth

A man cycling on an elizabeth bridge in Perth city, western, Australia, this image can use for bike, sport, relax, healthy concept
When combined, small lifestyle changes could have a substantial impact on life expectancy, researchers said. Photograph: NeoPhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Making small changes to your lifestyle in your 40s, 50s or 60s could add more than 20 years to your life, according to research of the habits of US veterans over eight years between 2011 and 2019. The eight factors include eating well and getting a good night’s sleep, and you can find out the whole list by reading our story here.

Not the news

Miles Franklin shortlist: Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran, The Lovers by Yumna Kassab, Iris by Fiona Kelly McGregor,Hopeless Kingdom by Kgshak Akec, Limberlost by Robbie Arnott and Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au.
Five first-time nominees, including a debut novelist: the Miles Franklin shortlist for 2023. Composite: Ultimo Press/Pan Macmillan Australia/UWA Publishing/Text Publishing/Giramondo Publishing

Six authors are in the running for Australia’s most prestigious book award, the Miles Franklin prize, due to be announced this evening. Julienne van Loon for the Conversation talks us through the contenders, from Fiona Kelly McGregor’s biographical memoir, Iris, to Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandrana, a novel based around Sydney’s Sri Lankan community.

The world of sport

The Matildas say they will stick to their game plan and processes for the Women’s World Cup match against Nigeria.
The Matildas say they will stick to their game plan and processes for the Women’s World Cup match against Nigeria. Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Media roundup

The mayor of Penrith has abandoned a plan to inspect airports in three European countries just hours before her council was due to vote on bankrolling the $200,000 trip, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Home loan delinquency rates are surging to levels not seen since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Australian reports. Support is growing for the Gold Coast mayor’s push to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victoria pulled out, the Bulletin says. “Bellyaching” by the England cricket team has become “too much”, the Herald Sun says, because they only have themselves to blame for failing to regain the Ashes.

What’s happening today

  • Sydney | Hearing for US extradition case of Daniel Duggan, an Australian pilot accused of training Chinese military.

  • Canberra | Public hearing on sexual consent laws.

  • Courts | Redfern Legal Centre files a challenge to 29,000 Covid-era fines in the wake of the supreme court finding two fines were invalid.

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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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