Morning. After the shock resignation of the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, we have plenty to reflect on: his legacy – and how some parts of the media will miss their favourite target. But attention now turns to who will succeed him.
Plus we have an exclusive interview with Anthony Albanese, who reveals how he would feel if the voice referendum fails. And there’s another exclusive report, on how Football Australia tried to sell the game to the highest bidder.
Australia
Albanese exclusive | The prime minister tells our political editor that pressing ahead with the referendum will have been worth it even if Australians reject the voice on 14 October because it has brought Indigenous disadvantage front and centre in the national conversation. The prominent voice to parliament opponent Gary Johns has called the idea of a treaty “nonsense” and an “evil” that opponents should fight, in comments that contradict his no campaign colleague Warren Mundine.
Victoria’s succession | Jacinta Allan is widely tipped to succeed Daniel Andrews as premier of Victoria after Labor MPs meet later today – though factional brawling could erupt over who becomes the deputy leader. The former ABC broadcaster Jon Faine salutes Andrews as the most progressive premier for decades but adding that the lockdowns mean he will revered as much as he is reviled. And we’re also looking at the harsh coverage meted out by the Murdoch press to Andrews, the man they liked to call “Dictator Dan”.
Qantas hearing | Qantas’s embattled chair, Richard Goyder, will appear before a Senate inquiry today into the government’s decision to reject Qatar Airways’ request to almost double its flights into Australia as he faces widespread calls for his resignation.
Wealth gap | Australia’s wealth gap has continued to grow over the past two decades, with superannuation and property investment driving inequality across the country, a new report has revealed.
Church ‘failure’ | The Broome bishop accused of assaulting or grooming dozens of young Aboriginal men once told a royal commission there was a “massive failure” in churches’ response to sexual abuse allegations.
World
Union man | Joe Biden has become the first sitting US president to appear on a picket line as he supported striking Detroit car workers. Back in Washington his son is suing Rudy Giuliani, and Democratic senators are hoping to defy the hard right and keep the US government open for 45 days.
Brazil heatwave | Brazil had its warmest winter since 1961 and is now suffering more intensely hot weather and Brazilians are braced for a ferocious summer.
Sokolov alive? | Russia has released footage showing Viktor Sokolov, the commander of its Black Sea fleet, attending a defence board meeting via video call, a day after Ukraine claimed he was dead.
Fossil banker | Some of Europe’s banks have helped fossil fuel companies to raise more than €1tn from the global bond markets since the Paris climate agreement, our investigation reveals.
Shakira charged | Spanish prosecutors have charged Shakira with failing to pay €6.7m in tax on her 2018 income in the country’s latest fiscal allegations against the Colombian singer.
Full Story
What is Daniel Andrews’ legacy?
Labor’s longest-serving Victorian premier has resigned. Benita Kolovos, our Victoria state correspondent, talks about Daniel Andrews’ legacy and future.
In-depth
We have a fascinating exclusive report today that Football Australia explored selling off rights to the Matildas, Socceroos and the A-Leagues for 99 years in an effective privatisation of the game in this country. The deal, mapped out in a slide deck prepared in 2020, aimed to raise $125m and would have seen involved selling the data of football’s 1.5m participants and a possible direct-to-consumer streaming service to bypass traditional broadcasting.
Not the news
More than 10 million people visit Sydney Opera House each year, but few of them know that the site was of huge cultural significance for millennia for Indigenous people. Now an installation of three art works by Quandamooka artist Megan Cope made from 85,000 oyster shells outside the famous building aims to shed light on the history of the Bennelong Point site.
The world of sport
NRLW | The Newcastle Knights (pictured) and the Gold Coast Titans have the chance to showcase the growing popularity of women’s rugby league when they contest the grand final on Sunday.
Football | British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is restructuring his bid for Manchester United and hopes to have his offer accepted in a potential sale process begun by the Glazers last November.
Doping | The Court of Arbitration for Sport has begun hearing the doping case of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva 19 months after she helped her team win gold at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Media roundup
For the Age, Daniel Andrews was an incongruent mix – “loyal, funny, contemptuous” – and a nerdy country kid who did good work but has probably left at the right time. His legacy is seen differently in the Murdoch press however, with Andrew Bolt in the Herald Sun describing Andrews as “the worst premier in our history”. The Sydney Morning Herald warns about a new virus, Human metapneumovirus, taking hold in New South Wales, while a growth plan for Darwin airport expects passengers to double in the next 20 years, the NT News says.
What’s happening today
Canberra | Noel Pearson to address the National Press Club.
Economy | August inflation figures due this morning will give a pointer towards the next move in interest rates.
NRL | Rugby league red carpet and Dally M award night.
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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.
