Good morning everyone. We have an exclusive top story this morning on concerns the referendum on the Indigenous voice to parliament is vulnerable to being manipulated by online misinformation – because many voters are coming to the issue without any strong opinions and could be easily swayed. We’re also reporting on how rooftop solar power capacity may soon surpass coal in Australia (it already does if you add large-scale solar plants). Plus there’s fallout from Labor’s super tax grab.
Australia
Solar soars | Australia’s rooftops now boast 20 gigawatts of solar panels and will soon have the capacity to produce more electricity than the country’s entire coal industry, according to a renewables consultancy.
Exclusive | The Indigenous voice to parliament is “really susceptible to misinformation”, a leading communications expert advising the government has warned, saying the referendum is “poised on a knife-edge” because voters may make up their minds far later in the campaign than at a standard election.
Super welcome | Crossbench senators have welcomed the Albanese government’s plan to double tax on superannuation balances above $3m, but Labor is under pressure to do more to lift government revenue and boost women’s super balances. Our political editor says it’s a cautious start towards budget repair.
Archer target | A day after she indicated some support for Labor’s super reforms, a former senior Liberal strategist has warned that “certain forces” in the party are planning to oust Bridget Archer from her Bass electorate in Tasmania.
Murdoch manoeuvre | Lawyers for Crikey, which is being sued for defamation by Lachlan Murdoch, could use in its defence an admission by Rupert Murdoch that Fox News hosts endorsed Donald Trump’s lie that the 2020 US election was stolen.
World
SUV cost | The 330m sport utility vehicles on the world’s roads produced emissions equivalent to those of the UK and Germany combined last year, according to new figures.
‘Like the first world war’ | As Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, says the situation around Bakhmut is becoming “more difficult”, troops have been describing the fighting in this engrossing dispatch from our reporter Luke Harding.
Greensill fail | Credit Suisse “seriously breached its supervisory obligations” in its relationship with the disgraced Australian financier Lex Greensill and his companies before they collapsed in 2021, the Swiss financial watchdog has ruled.
Brexit blunder | The British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has described Northern Ireland as having great economic opportunity because it now has access to the EU and UK markets. Critics were quick to point out that the whole UK had a similar advantage … before Brexit.
Runaway couple | A British couple who disappeared with their baby in January have been arrested on suspicion of child neglect in Brighton – but the child has not been found.
Full Story
The money, rules, and major players behind the voice referendum
Our Indigenous affairs editor, Lorena Allam, looks at the major players behind the yes and no campaigns, their plans to sway your vote and the rules that will govern this process as we head towards a referendum later this year.
In-depth
With days to go before the new NRL season, the game’s governing body and the players have settled their pay dispute. On with the sport then, but not quite. The game still faces serious challenges such as a possible talent exodus to union, wrangling over the Pride round, and lingering discontent among club bosses.
Not the news
Jenny Valentish is a huge Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice fan, with her favourite of the duo’s musicals being Jesus Christ Superstar, specifically the 1973 counterculture-inspired film version now streaming in Australia. But could her relationship with boyfriend Frank – who isn’t a massive fan of musicals – survive a viewing?
The world of sport
Cricket | Australia need Steve Smith’s return to the captaincy to inspire him to get back among the runs as the depleted tourists take on India in the third Test in Indore later today.
Formula One | As the season opener in Bahrain nears, F1’s CEO Stefano Domencali discusses human rights, soft power and why he feels the sport can make a difference.
Cycling | Trek-Segafredo cyclist Antonio Tiberi has been fined €4,000 and suspended by his team for fatally shooting a cat belonging his neighbour – the San Marino minister of tourism.
Media roundup
The Australian says that the Albanese government has made a “super-sized broken promise” with its plans to reduce tax concessions on retirement savings, while the AFR says the treasurer is “daring the Coalition” to go into bat for wealthy retirees at the next election. Albanese also cops blame in the Daily Telegraph, this time for a “cruel” rule change that allegedly makes it harder to bring pets back into the country. The Adelaide Advertiser examines the impact of the Riverland floods as residents face a huge clean-up and even bigger bills.
What’s happening today
Canberra | Catherine King, the minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development, will address the press club.
Economy | ABS data on inflation in January and GDP as well as national accounts will be released.
Queensland | State parliamentary hearing on proposed youth justice laws
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Brain teaser
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