Morning, everyone. It’s Melbourne Cup day but in these straitened times the nation might be more likely to stop to find out whether the Reserve Bank puts up interest rates again this afternoon than check the winner at Flemington. The cost of living is beginning to dominate the political discourse and our Guardian Essential poll today shows that people want more help with soaring energy bills. There’s also full coverage of Lula’s astonishing victory in the Brazilian election.
Australia
Budget blues | More than two-thirds of voters want the federal government to intervene to keep energy prices down as cost-of-living pressures continue to mount, according to an Essential poll. While Labor has promised to do more, only 25% thought last week’s budget would help alleviate the problem.
Taxing matter | Tanya Plibersek reportedly told a constituent that Labor should scrap the Coalition’s stage-three tax cuts.
Fossil funds | The science centre Questacon is phasing out its fossil fuel sponsorships, replacing the money with government funds.
Flood rescue | The state and federal governments will today announce a $877m support package for Victorian businesses hit by devastating floods.
Queensland | A woman who was raped and abused by her partner killed herself after police wrongly identified as a perpetrator of domestic violence, a coronial study has found.
Kohli breach | Crown Hotels say workers have been “stood down” after a video filmed inside the room of India cricket captain Virat Kohli was posted online. He called it an “absolute invasion of privacy”.
World
Lula rises again | World leaders have been quick to congratulate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s stunning comeback victory in the Brazilian presidential election but there’s no word yet from his vanquished opponent Jair Bolsonaro. We also chart the astonishing rise, fall and rise again of Lula, the former shoeshine boy turned president.
Grief in Korea | Families in South Korea have spoken of the agonising wait for news about loved ones caught up in the deadly crush in Seoul as the country seeks answers about how the tragedy happened. And the family of Australian victim Grace Rached have paid tribute to their “life of the party”.
Cruise attacks | Russia has launched another wave of cruise missiles at Ukraine targeting hydroelectric dams and other critical infrastructure. Explosions were reported near the capital, Kyiv, and in at least 10 other cities and regions.
Blame game | The former US vice-president Mike Pence has blamed Donald Trump for the Capitol attack in a new memoir that puts him on a collision course with many in his Republican party.
Full Story
The story of Daniel Andrews: dogged, divisive and enduringly popular
Victorians head to the polls this month with the premier, Daniel Andrews, seeking a fourth term and a place as one of the country’s most significant politicians. Margaret Simons explains the rise of Australia’s most divisive premier, and why he appears set to win another four-year term.
In-depth
The aforementioned Melbourne Cup may be trading on past reputation according to a new Guardian Essential poll, which finds that more than half of respondents have “low” or “no interest” in the Flemington showcase. Most worrying for the industry’s future, interest is weakening particularly among younger people. Meanwhile, the author Anna Spargo-Ryan argues that Melbourne can do better than celebrate a “predatory horse race”.
Not the news
The ABC’s thought-provoking podcast series Stuff the British Stole makes a timely switch into television tonight when Marc Fennell explores the long backstory behind colonial-era controversies, starting with the Koh-i-noor diamond.
The world of sport
T20 World Cup | Australia secured a vital win over Ireland in Brisbane last night – but didn’t manage to improve their net run rate by enough and have more work to do when they face Afghanistan on Friday.
Formula One | Daniel Ricciardo says he is looking forward to taking a break from the grid next year and the chance to “rebuild”.
Football | Lionel Messi’s form for PSG this season suggests he is peaking at just the right time for this month’s World Cup in Qatar.
Media roundup
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald continue their series on trafficking with an investigation into the trade in fake visas. The Daily Telegraph says a crackdown on NDIS fraud has exposed “35,000 dodgy payments”, while the Canberra Times provides the surprising news that two houses sold for less than $1m at the weekend.
What’s happening today
Rate rise expected | The Reserve Bank monetary policy committee meets today and is expected to raise the cash rate by another 0.25%, to 2.85%.
Whistleblower hearing | Military lawyer David McBride faces a hearing in the ACT supreme court today over the leaking of documents.
Cup day | Amid controversies about animal welfare and flood protection, the Melbourne Cup goes at 3pm at Flemington.
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Bored?
And finally, 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.
