Morning everyone. Amid the fallout from Ben Roberts-Smith’s failed defamation action, there will be intense focus on alleged war crimes carried out by Australian forces in Afghanistan. But, as our exclusive report reveals this morning, the defence chief thinks that despite the “very confronting” evidence, the military will emerge stronger from the scrutiny. We also look at government warnings about the impact of the baby boomer generation on the aged care system, and we have the latest on Ukraine and Prince Harry in the witness box.
Australia
‘Boomers are coming’ | The aged care minister, Anika Wells, pictured, will today announce a new taskforce to solve the “unanswered question” of how to make the care system “equitable and sustainable”, warning demand will increase because the “boomers are coming”.
Exclusive | Australia’s defence chief has predicted the military will emerge stronger as it acts on the “very confronting” findings of the Brereton inquiry into alleged war crimes and as it deals with the implications of Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation case.
Bank fined | The Commonwealth Bank has paid a $3.55m fine for breaching spam laws with more than 65m emails, in the largest penalty of its kind in Australia’s history.
Children ‘written off’ | The latest part of our series on Queensland’s youth justice system reveals how police threatened to raid a government-backed rehabilitation camp for First Nations children, demanding the rearrest of a “traumatised” 12-year-old boy who then fled and attempted suicide.
Cheque out | The humble bank cheque will officially become a thing of the past in Australia by 2030 as part of a range of payment reforms for the digital era to be announced today. The use of cheques has declined 90% in the past 10 years.
World
‘They blew it up’ | Ukraine has accused Russia of blowing up the Nova Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro River, as it called for people living downstream to evacuate in the face of catastrophic flooding. Besides posing a risk to life, threatening the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and hampering Ukraine’s embryonic counteroffensive, the sabotage of the dam could have a lasting impact for generations. You can also check out our visual guide to the disaster.
‘Vile’ tabloids | Prince Harry has said “vile” British tabloids had a “devastating impact” on his mental health by portraying him as an irresponsible “thicko” prone to underage drinking and drug taking. We also look at what’s at stake for the royal.
Arctic melt | It is now too late to save summer Arctic sea ice, research has shown, and scientists say preparations need to be made for the increased extreme weather across the northern hemisphere that is likely to occur as a result.
‘It was wrong’ | Arnold Schwarzenegger has revisited historical allegations of groping in a new documentary series about his life and career, saying: “Forget all the excuses, it was wrong.”
Something’s out there … | The US has been urged to disclose evidence of UFOs after a whistleblower former intelligence official said the government has possession of “intact and partially intact” alien vehicles.
Full Story
The 14-year-old ‘written off’ by Queensland’s youth justice system
Our Queensland correspondent, Ben Smee, speaks to a 14-year-old on the “serious repeat offender” index – a police blacklist disproportionately made up Indigenous young people – about life on the frontline of the state’s youth crime crackdown.
In-depth
As governments try to tackle the rental crisis, New South Wales has scrapped plans to end “secret” rent bidding after a backlash by tenants’ advocates, homelessness groups and real estate agents who argued the scheme would only lead to bidding auctions and push up prices. In Melbourne, meanwhile, Miranda Templeman, pictured, tells of her relief at securing a three-year lease under an affordable rent scheme “too good to be true”. And there’s no relief for would-be buyers either amid a growing political stoush over the RBA’s latest rate hike.
Not the news
Today sees the opening of Shadow Spirit, a new exhibition as part of Melbourne’s Rising festival, exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories around death, spirits, stars and dreams. The artists include Judy Watson, the Yolŋu collective Mulka Project and Paola Balla to create a show at Flinders Street station that “balances lightness and humour with darker shadows and deep knowledge”.
The world of sport
Cricket | Australia prepare to take on India in the final of the world Test championship at the Oval starting tomorrow with questions marks surrounding the newly inaugurated fixture.
Football | Ange Postecoglou will be a success as Tottenham manager, according to Graham Arnold, as the London club confirmed that the 57-year-old will be their new boss and the first Australian to manage in the Premier League.
Golf | The rival PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf have agreed a surprise merger to end a year of unprecedented disruption in the men’s professional game.
Media roundup
The Daily Telegraph surveys the latest rise in interest rates and says RBA chief Philip Lowe might have further to go in his fight to curb inflation, while the Age speaks to homeowners who are “almost at breaking point” because of rising costs. Staff at a Queensland jail say they fear for their lives after a spate of attacks by prisoners, the Courier Mail reports. A government decision to lower the cap on pokies means there will be fewer machines in pubs in Alice Springs, the NT News says. Six ACT reserves will be closed every night except Fridays and Saturdays for six weeks as a kangaroo cull begins, the Canberra Times reports.
What’s happening today
Sydney | The RBA governor, Philip Lowe, will give a speech at the Morgan Stanley Australia Summit, while the Australian Banking Association’s conference will hear from treasurer Jim Chalmers and RBA deputy Michelle Bullock.
Canberra | The aged care minister, Anika Wells, will address the National Press Club.
Perth | Roger Cook is expected to be sworn in as the Labor premier of Western Australia, replacing Mark McGowan.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are 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.
