Morning everyone. Peter Dutton was forced to admit during the second leaders’ debate last night that he’d made a mistake when speaking about potential Russian bases in Indonesia. Bridget McKenzie also yesterday admitted she was wrong to claim China wanted Anthony Albanese to win the election. We have full reports and analysis of the debate for you this morning.
Plus: how the Biennale stoush won’t go away, Adelaide joins a housing market club that it probably rather wouldn’t, markets slump again, and a UK court has made a significant ruling on the definition of ‘woman’.
Australia
Biennale bust | The head of Creative Australia, Adrian Collette, has been served with two letters of complaint collectively written by staff, and a third signed by more than 600 Australian literary figures over his decision to withdraw Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino from next year’s Venice Biennale.
‘It was a mistake’ | Peter Dutton admitted during last night’s leaders’ debate that he made a mistake by wrongly claiming the Indonesian president had announced a proposal for Russia to base military aircraft in his country. But Anthony Albanese was evasive on whether power prices would come down. Dutton’s close lieutenant Bridget McKenzie also admitted a blunder when she had to concede she was wrong to say Russia and China wanted Labor to win the election.
Exclusive | Victoria’s human rights commission has been forced to slash its budget by almost 20% as it braces for a surge in complaints triggered by new anti-vilification and bail laws.
Glider alert | Tens of thousands of endangered greater gliders could be living within the proposed area for a great koala national park in New South Wales, prompting new calls for the area to be quickly protected from logging.
Best in show | Competitors from across Australia have converged on the Sydney Royal Easter Show to show off their pig-handling skills and see who would win best pig in show.
World
UK | The UK supreme court has ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex, in a victory for gender-critical campaigners. Our analysis says politicians will be sighing with relief but what does it mean?
Trade blow | Donald Trump’s tariffs will send international trade into reverse this year, the World Trade Organization has warned, as it forecast the global economy will shrink by 0.2%. The concerns were reflected on financial markets with shares in New York plunging again, while California has launched a legal challenge against the Trump levies. Meanwhile, a judge has accused Trump officials of “wilful disobedience” of court orders.
Diet directive | All schools in Spain will be legally obliged to serve healthier meals amid concern about child obesity.
‘Lust’ for killing | Prosecutors have charged a Berlin palliative care doctor with the murder of 15 patients, alleging he acted out of a “lust” for killing.
Tunnel of love | Burglars tunnelled through a concrete wall to gain access to the Love Jewels jewellery store in Los Angeles, making off with at least $10m worth of watches, pendants, gold chains and other merchandise, police said.
Full Story
Why Labor and the Coalition’s housing policies could make the crisis worse
The median house costs more than $1m in five of Australia’s capital cities, new data shows, even as unaffordable costs and high interest rates saw home prices grow at their slowest rate in two years and unit prices fall. Nour Haydar talks to leading economist Saul Eslake about why he thinks the parties’ policies would make matters worse.
In-depth
Our political correspondent Josh Butler gives his assessment of how the two leaders fared in last night’s leaders’ debate and concludes that Peter Dutton failed to convince that he is a leader in waiting – although the prime minister also dodged difficult questions on carbon emissions and the budget. Guardian reporters and editors analyse how Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton responded to the major issues. We also have a guide to how we should interpret the polls, given that they got it badly wrong in 2019.
Not the news
Kriv Stenders’ new film about the arrest, trial and eventual release of the ABC journalist Peter Greste is “grittily immersive”, writes Luke Buckmaster, and Richard Roxburgh is fine form playing the main character. Although it’s bit long, it is a “tense and twitchy viewing experience, where the pressure valve is released only at the very last minute”.
Sport
Matildas | Mary Fowler has ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament and is unlikely to play again this year in a blow for the national side and her club Manchester City.
Football | Sydney FC crashed out of the Asian Champions League Two last night after a 1-0 semi-final second leg win over Singapore’s Lion City Sailors was not enough to reverse a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. The A-League Men agreed to a stricter salary cap to prevent clubs from engaging in a “playerspend arms race”. In Europe’s Champions League this morning, it’s Bayern Munich v Inter and Arsenal are at Real Madrid with a three-goal lead from the first leg.
Tennis | After British player Harriet Dart caused a stink over Lois Boisson’s alleged body odour problem, the French player has responded with a social media post that pokes fun at the incident.
Media roundup
Thousands of drivers in Western Australia have been caught flouting rules such as wearing seatbelts and use of phones after the installation of new cameras, WAtoday reveals. David Gonski, the vice-chancellor of UNSW, has questioned Labor’s ambition to see 55% of people obtain a degree, the Australian reports. The beloved Tasmanian craft brewery Fox Friday has gone bust, the Mercury says. The incoming Melbourne Demons boss is meeting the team’s leader, Max Gawn, to discuss the club’s disastrous start, the Herald Sun claims.
What’s happening today
Sydney | NSW auditor general to release the report into the operation of the Northern Beaches hospital at 9.30am.
Canberra | Clive Palmer, chairman of the Trumpet of Patriots party, makes his preferences announcement at Parliament House at 4.40pm
Melbourne | Federal court judgment in Indigenous stolen wages class action.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
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