Good afternoon. Victorian Liberal infighting reached new heights today, with suspended MP Moira Deeming threatening her party leader, John Pesutto, with legal action after accusing him of not keeping to the alleged terms of her suspension.
Deeming was suspended from the party room for nine months in March after attending an anti-trans rally on the steps of the Victorian parliament that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis.
In hopeful scientific news, the gympie-gympie, a horribly poisonous tree in Queensland, might actually have some medicinal benefits.
Top news
Jacqui Lambie deal on housing | Labor is one step closer to passing its $10bn social housing fund through the Senate, after reaching a deal with the Jacqui Lambie Network that will see a minimum of 1,200 social housing homes built in each state and territory. Independent senator David Pocock also said he won’t block the bill, but expressed frustration at Labor for not budging during negotiations. The bill still needs the support of the Greens, who are yet to sign on.
Deeming ultimatum | The Victorian Liberal MP issued Pesutto with an ultimatum to publicly state by 2pm today that he didn’t believe she was a Nazi, or face legal action. The deadline passed without a word from Pesutto, prompting Deeming to email her party colleagues saying she’s advised lawyers to prepare a legal challenge over her suspension.
Indigenous leaders demand apology from King Charles | Australians have joined Indigenous leaders and politicians across the Commonwealth to demand King Charles III make a formal apology for the effects of British colonisation, make reparations by redistributing the wealth of the British crown, and return artefacts and human remains.
Indigenous speaker shut down at voice forum | When an audience member asked the all-white panel discussing the voice – which included former prime minister Tony Abbott – if they could hear an Indigenous perspective, the host Liberal MP Jenny Ware said there was “simply no time”. Watch the two-minute video.
Labor urged to switch to electric trucks | Replacing 10 freight vehicles with EVs would have the same impact as putting 56 electric cars on the road, a new study shows. The federal government is being urged to introduce grants and zero-emission zones to accelerate their adoption.
Poisonous tree could unlock painkillers | Gympie-gympie, a toxic Queensland tree, with a sting so painful that legend says it can drive a victim mad with suffering, could be the answer to new non-opioid pain relief. Researchers from the University of Queensland studying the toxins in the plant believe it could lead to the development of new pain treatments.
Donald Trump’s NYT lawsuit thrown out | Trump’s attempt to sue the New York Times and its reporters for what he said was an “insidious plot” to obtain his tax records has fallen flat. A New York supreme court justice said the reporters’ “actions are at the very core of protected first amendment activity”.
Kremlin attack – what we know | Ukraine has denied responsibility in a drone attack Russia says was an assassination attempt of Vladimir Putin. Many Western analysts suspect Russia staged the attack, pointing to Moscow’s highly coordinated response.
Myanmar releases political prisoners | The country’s ruling military council says it will pardon more than 2,100 political prisoners as a humanitarian gesture on the holiest Buddhist day of the year. However, deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains in jail.
Full Story
The end of recreational vaping in Australia
The Albanese government has announced the biggest smoking reforms in a decade – banning non-prescription vapes and hiking the tax on tobacco. What does this mean for vape users and sellers? Listen to this 18-minute episode.
What they said …
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“If you want to behave like the worst elements of the Floridian Republican party, well get to Florida. Head over there where your hateful views might be worth something. They’re worth nothing here. We won’t stand for this sort of behaviour.” – Daniel Andrews
The Victorian premier was referring to what he described as “fringe” elements derailing drag queen events in Melbourne. The comments came after a Melbourne council cancelled a drag queen story time event after threats of violence.
In numbers
Rising interest rates are resulting in strong profits for Australia’s major lenders.
Before bed read
Guardian Australia broke the robodebt scandal story way back in 2016. The two reporters who have covered it since, Chris Knaus (pictured) and Luke Henriques-Gomes, look back on how initial shock gave way to disbelief, frustration and then – finally – vindication.
“There was a sense of frustration. Nothing was changing … We’d been reporting for two and a half years and the steam had run out,” Knaus says. “It needed someone to come in with fresh energy, fresh eyes and a fresh approach to the reporting, which focused on personal impact. That’s where Luke came in.”
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: RAFT. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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