Good afternoon. The historic voice referendum bill passed both houses today, launching a timeline for Australia’s first referendum in 24 years – likely to be held in October.
But any warm sentiment shared between Labor and the Greens, who voted in favour of the legislation, quickly evaporated, with the two parties descending into an angry war of words over housing policy.
Labor minister Don Farrell labelled the Greens and Coalition an “axis of evil”, after the pair sunk the government’s efforts to pass its $10bn housing fund in the Senate. The Greens leader, Adam Bandt, hit back, calling on “the prime minister and the Labor premiers to act on a rent freeze and limit rent increases”.
Top news
Housing bill delayed until October | Farrell threatened the Greens and Coalition with a double dissolution if the housing bill did not pass this week. That threat did little to change the position of either party, with the Greens joining the Coalition in delaying the bill until October to push for further progress on a rent freeze. If you want to know why this has become such a heated issue, read this explainer and watch this video.
Climate protesters block coal shipments | Protesters have disrupted shipments and motorway traffic at ports in Newcastle, Brisbane and Melbourne, with one activist suspending herself from a rail bridge at the Newcastle coal ports.
Snow comes to Australia’s Alps | Those patiently waiting for an opportunity for a ski weekend might finally get their chance. A cold front crossing south-east Australia is bringing a snow dump and a chilly, wet week after a mild start to winter. The Australian Alps could receive between 10cm and 20cm of snow today.
Net zero target should be 2038 | Researchers say Australia’s net zero target needs to be brought a decade forward if the world has a chance of keeping global heating to 1.5C.
Leigh Sales nominated for Gold Logie | It’s the ABC presenter’s first nomination, and she will be up against TV presenter Osher Günsberg and last year’s winner, entertainer Hamish Blake.
Pakistan holds day of mourning | Nine suspected people smugglers will appear before a Greek court following last week’s tragedy that saw a fishing trawler carrying hundreds of migrants, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt and Pakistan, sink off the Greek coast. The death toll currently stands at 78, but more than 500 people are believed missing and presumed dead, including many children. After it emerged that dozens of Pakistanis were among those onboard, the nation announced a crackdown on people smugglers and declared Monday a national day of mourning.
Israel plans more homes in West Bank | The US says it is “deeply troubled” by the Israeli government’s tabling of plans to approve thousands of building permits in the occupied West Bank and has called on Israel to return to dialogues aimed at de-escalation. Most countries deem the settlements, built on land captured by Israel in 1967, as illegal.
Anthony Blinken in China | The top diplomats of the world’s two major powers held “candid talks” in Beijing with the hope of lifting US-China relations from their historic lows. The visit is rare but significant – the first by a US secretary of state to China in five years. All eyes are now on whether Blinken also meets the Chinese president, Xi Jinping.
In pictures
The photographer Tajette O’Halloran steps back in time to her adolescence in the 1990s with this nostalgic photo series.
“I grew up in the northern rivers of New South Wales in the 1990s. It was a place of stark contrasts: utopian dreams, alternative culture and abject social disadvantage. Since that time I have spent many years reflecting on my coming of age in such an unusual place and how it has shaped my adult life.”
What they said …
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“I say to my fellow Australians – parliaments pass laws, but it is people that make history. This is your time, your chance, your opportunity to be a part of making history. It will be a moment of national unity, a chance to make our nation even greater. A gracious chapter in the great story of Australia.” – Anthony Albanese
In numbers
It’s Pride Month – which means parades and celebrations in northern hemispheric cities, often smothered with performative advertising from recognisable brands. But is corporate allyship only skin deep? Read our coverage and the report with the full list of corporate donations.
Before bed read
Guardian readers from all over chimed in to answer this question: which countries – or cultures – have the most relaxed attitudes to swearing?
“Australia,” one replied. “Yes, I’m biased. I live here and I love swearing. Even people who don’t swear are relaxed about others swearing. This is also not exclusive to regional or backwater areas of the country; everyone swears. My lecturers at uni, my boss at work and, heaven forbid, even kids in a schoolyard. Yet no one corrects them unless class is in session; that’s how relaxed it is.”
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: LIB. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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