Good morning. As campaigning for the federal election gets under way, Guardian Australia is launching a new, six-part podcast series examining the life and influence of Australia’s richest person, mining boss Gina Rinehart. Gina explores how Rinehart became an Australian success story – worth almost $40bn – and how her power and political influence have grown in line with her wealth.
Meanwhile: Donald Trump has expressed his frustration over attempts to bring peace to the Ukraine conflict, saying that he is “pissed off” with Vladimir Putin. And rescuers are continuing a desperate search for quake survivors in Thailand and Myanmar.
Australia
Brisbane Olympics | Architect Michael Rayner – described as one of the makers of modern Brisbane – proposed Victoria Park as an Olympics precinct in a 2019 lecture. The venues plan announced last week closely resembles his vision.
Gina and the ‘Trumpettes’ | The founder of a key support group for the US president has praised Gina Rinehart as a “female Donald Trump” and backed a push by the mining magnate to bring Trump’s policy ideas to Australia.
Mark Haines inquiry | In 1988, 17-year-old Mark Haines was found dead on the railway tracks outside Tamworth. Decades on, a reopened investigation may offer answers to his family members.
Revealed | Asic has found that a super fund took more than 500 days to approve a death benefit payment to an Indigenous woman grieving the loss of her husband and ignored her concerns.
Election flip-flop | Opposition leader Peter Dutton has floated – and quickly walked back – holding three referendums on Indigenous recognition, four-year parliamentary terms and stripping citizenship of dual nationals.
World
Myanmar-Thailand quake | Rescuers and medics are struggling with the scale of devastation in Myanmar, while authorities in Thailand say dozens are still trapped under the rubble of a tower block. Before and after satellite images show the destruction caused by the earthquake.
Russia-Ukraine war | Donald Trump has said he is “very angry, pissed off” with Vladimir Putin for questioning Ukraine’s leadership; Trump is “running out of patience” with Putin over the Ukraine ceasefire, says Finland’s president.
Gaza crisis | Benjamin Netanyahu says he’s willing to reach a deal to free Gaza hostages amid claims he is not serious about negotiations; Gaza civilians held in Israel were not told their families had been killed.
US politics | Atlantic editor dismisses Michael Waltz’s Signal leak defence; Trump says he “couldn’t care less” if tariffs make car prices go up; how Trump is waging war on the media; special elections could deliver voters’ verdict on Trump’s first months.
Turkey on edge | Anti-government protesters in Turkey are weighing their options amid calls by opposition leaders for weekly rallies, a growing economic boycott and a groundswell of fired-up student demonstrators.
Full Story
Gina episode 1: Becoming Mrs Rinehart
Gina Rinehart is Australia’s richest person – and as her wealth continues to rise, so does her power and influence. But what does she want? In the first episode of Guardian Australia’s new podcast series, senior correspondent Sarah Martin explores the impact Rinehart could have on Australian politics. Life began for Rinehart in the vast expanse of the Pilbara. To understand her story, we delve into her past and how her unique childhood under the influence of Lang Hancock shaped her.
In-depth
A new report into principal wellbeing has detailed “really inappropriate” student behaviour as educators point to an alarming cultural shift playing out in the classroom. The data has laid bare a dramatic rise in physical assaults, use of weapons and threats within schools. Caitlin Cassidy explains why Australia could lose an “entire generation” of school principals as they grapple with depression and anxiety due to growing workloads, violence and bullying.
Not the news
From Cyclone Alfred driving wild seas and a seagull eclipsing the moon to Kylie Minogue performing on a trapeze and Ramadan celebrations in Sydney: our picture desk looks back at some of the best images to appear across Guardian Australia’s content during the month of March.
Sport
Football | Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush fire Manchester City into FA Cup semi-finals; Marcus Rashford ends his goal drought as Aston Villa sink Preston to reach FA Cup semis; Barça go three clear in La Liga after Lewandowski’s derby double.
Athletics | Gout v Kennedy was like Bolt v the T-1000 – and no one could look away, Jack Snape writes.
Cricket | South Australia captured the Sheffield Shield for the first time in 29 years, defeating Queensland by four wickets.
Media roundup
Under new plans to address the housing crisis, state agencies could be named and shamed over the time they take to approve housing developments, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Experts claim immigration numbers are likely to plummet as people on short-term visas leave Australia en masse, the Age reports. South Australian farmers are selling off stock and fearing for their futures amid tough dry conditions, the Advertiser reports. Victoria’s planned surgery waitlist grew by more than 9% in six months as health budgets were cut, ABC News reports.
What’s happening today
Nationwide | Campaigning in the federal election campaign across Australia.
NSW | Inquest into the death of Mark Haines resumes in Lidcombe.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
