Morning everyone. More than 200 current federal politicians have declared membership of Qantas’ Chairman’s Lounge, analysis of parliament’s register of pecuniary interests shows, as debate swirls over the free upgrades and benefits that the prime minister received from the airline (and that he has declared).
Meanwhile, a court has recognised a right to privacy in Australian law in a groundbreaking case that led to a $30,000 compensation award; nine days of horror in Gaza’; and researchers find a lost city in the Mexican jungle.
Australia
A vine mess | Three South Australian tomato farms may be in quarantine for months after an exotic disease believed to have come from seeds imported from Europe was spotted on plants, causing $20m in losses and shutting down some interstate and international trade.
High society | At least 90% of federal politicians have declared taking up invitations to join the exclusive Qantas Chairman’s Lounge and dozens also received flight upgrades, expensive gifts or hospitality from the national carrier.
Privacy breach | A woman has won $30,000 in compensation after a court decided her privacy had been breached when her father gave a series of media interviews after surviving a murder attempt orchestrated by her mother.
Rundle apology | Former Crikey columnist Guy Rundle has apologised for saying “every grope is now a sexual assault” and for implying that “sexual assault is a trivial matter” 10 days after he was sacked for texting the comment to ABC Radio.
Housing move | No-fault evictions will be banned in Victoria and renters will not have to pay more than four weeks’ rent for breaking their lease under a suite of reforms to be announced by Jacinta Allan.
World
Gaza horror | People have endured nine days of horror as Israel steps up its offensive on exhausted northern Gaza, including an airstrike on a crowded apartment building in Beit Lahiya yesterday that has killed scores of Palestinians including many women and children. Hezbollah has elected its deputy secretary general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, as its new head after the group’s long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israel.
Rally ‘love fest’ | The president of the Republican party’s branch in Puerto Rico has said he will not vote for Donald Trump unless he apologises for racist remarks made at his rally referring to the US island territory as a “floating island of garbage”. Trump has described the rally as a “love fest” while out on the campaign trail, it’s down to the wire in Georgia.
Trudeau test | Justin Trudeau is facing his darkest and most uncertain political moment as he attempts to defy the odds – and a bitter public – to win a rare fourth term as Canadian prime minister.
Volcano appeal | The owners of an island volcano in New Zealand that erupted in 2019 killing 22 people, including 14 Australians, have launched an appeal against their criminal conviction for violating safety laws.
Jungle find | Researchers have stumbled on a lost Mayan city of temple pyramids, enclosed plazas and a reservoir, all of which had been hidden for centuries by the Mexican jungle.
Full Story
Everything you need to know about PFAS
Matilda Boseley asks science reporter Donna Lu whether “forever chemicals” are as scary as their name suggests and how much of a risk they pose to human health.
In-depth
Yesterday’s report into the government’s handling of the early years of the Covid pandemic was a very useful way for Anthony Albanese to divert attention away from the allegations about Qantas upgrades, writes political editor Karen Middleton. It gave the prime minister another chance to skewer his “arrogant and nasty” rival Peter Dutton. But taking shots at the opposition leader means receiving fire in return and Labor can’t quite seem to move the debate away from Dutton’s attacks on Albanese’s character.
Not the news
With nothing better than medical exams to study for, Roland Bull was drawn to the stamp collection he inherited from his grandmother 30 years ago that was gathering dust in his cupboard. Sorting through the exotic, intrepid artworks took him on a journey through time when Australia celebrated its achievements in many fields and Warlpiri-Anmatyerr man Gwoja Tjungurrayi became the first living Australian to feature on a certified stamp.
The world of sport
Rugby union | The Wallabies are not as bad as some might think but are only tipped to beat Wales in our expert assessment of the southern hemisphere teams going into the Autumn Internationals.
Football | Taking up a likely offer to manage Manchester United will be a big risk for a young coach like Rúben Amorim, writes Jonathan Wilson, while David Squires has his unique say on the Old Trafford circus.
Tennis | Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Paris Masters due to a virus, the world No 1 announced on Tuesday.
Media roundup
The Age reports on the “dark shadow” over Melbourne after an 11-year-old boy died when a car crashed into a school. An Adelaide nun-turned-health-entrepreneur tells the Advertiser about life in a convent and why she gave up her vows of “poverty, chastity and obedience”.
What’s happening today
Technology | Inquiry into social media and Australian society.
Economy | ABS release the latest inflation figures at 11.30am.
Canberra | National Press Club address by minister Pat Conroy on Australia’s defence strategy.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. And check out the full list of our local and international newsletters, including The Stakes, your guide to the twists and turns of the US presidential election.
Prefer notifications? If you’re reading this in our app, just click here and tap “Notifications” on the next screen for an instant alert when we publish every morning.
Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
