Good morning. After the Covid-disrupted disappointments of the previous two years, the Australian Open is shaping up to be a very memorable tournament on and off the court. Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis blew a two-set lead to lose an incredible five-setter against Andy Murray that didn’t end until 4.07am, women’s No 2 Ons Jabeur crashed out and Novak Djokovic accused heckling fans of being drunk.
Australia’s human rights commissioner warns today that the country’s international reputation is in jeopardy for failing to meet anti-torture treaty obligations, and we also look back in detail on the career of Jacinda Ardern, Australia’s “sister” across the Tasman who yesterday announced her resignation as prime minister.
Australia
Prisons fail | Australia could be placed on a human rights blacklist after the three most populous states failed to meet their obligations on oversight of prisons under a UN anti-torture treaty.
‘Odd one out’ | Australia risks being the “odd one out” internationally if the government resists implementing a tax on sugary soft drinks, doctors say, reigniting their calls for a 16c levy on every can in an attempt to slash obesity.
Voice divide | Divisions in the Greens over the voice to parliament have deepened after Sarah Hanson-Young emphasised her support for the yes campaign while the First Nations spokeswoman, Lidia Thorpe, repeated her criticism of the idea.
Cassius Turvey | Three more people have been charged with the murder of Indigenous schoolboy Cassius Turvey in October and will appear before magistrates in Perth today.
In from the cold | Australia and China are in discussions about arranging a virtual meeting between the trade minister, Don Farrell, and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Wentao, which would be the first conversation between an Australian trade minister and a Chinese commerce minister in more than three years.
World
Baldwin charged | The actor Alec Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal film-set shooting of a cinematographer during a rehearsal of the western film Rust.
Davos rebuke | Greta Thunberg has told the Davos summit that it is “absurd” to listen to the energy industry talk about the climate crisis when they “are mainly causing” the problem.
France strikes | Hundreds of thousands of striking workers have taken to the streets of France to protest against Emmanuel Macron’s unpopular plans to raise the retirement age by two years to 64.
Trump slip | Donald Trump mistook E Jean Carroll, the writer who accuses him of rape, for his ex-wife Marla Maples during a deposition in the case last year, in what lawyers say could be a significant blow to his defence.
Peru protests | Peru’s capital city is bracing for further unrest as thousands of protesters head to Lima to demand the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, after nearly six weeks of turmoil that has claimed close to 50 lives.
Full Story
The details on the Indigenous voice to parliament with Megan Davis
Prof Megan Davis, a Cobble Cobble woman and expert adviser to the government on the voice referendum, talks about Peter Dutton’s “inexplicable” demand for details about the process and the road to the referendum.
In-depth
The Albanese government is lamenting the departure of Jacinda Ardern who is “like a sister” but a former diplomat says her resignation will not damage relations between the two countries. The outgoing New Zealand prime minister has been described as an “inspiration” after announcing she was stepping down and our correspondent, Tess McClure, looks back on her eventful time in office and why she knew her time was up after more than five gruelling years. Columnist Morgan Godfrey argues that Ardern was the country’s most important postwar leader.
Not the news
Afghan sheep’s trotter soup? Mutton tartare? Or maybe buffalo labneh, beetroot molasses and sorrel? These are just some of the recipe and meal ideas suggested by chefs, food writers, growers and producers – including Alice Zaslavsky, Kevin La and Rosa Cienfuegos – when we asked them to come up with some new ideas for 2023.
The world of sport
Cricket | Steve Smith, the former Australia captain, has agreed a deal to play three games for Sussex in May as part of his preparations for the summer’s Ashes and a probable appearance in the World Test Championship final.
Melbourne fireworks | Tennis fans were treated to an all-time classic five-set thriller between local hopeful Thanasi Kokkinakis and Andy Murray that didn’t finish until after 4am. Earlier in the day, Novak Djokovic was heckled by fans, Russia’s Andrey Rublev was singled out by Ukrainian supporters, and Australia’s Alexei Popyrin pulled off an upset of his own by beating eighth seed, Taylor Fritz, in another five-setter.
Rugby union | Governing bodies in England and Wales face a second major lawsuit from a group of more than 55 former amateur players who claim the authorities failed to protect them from brain injuries.
Media roundup
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald carry an op-ed by prime minister Anthony Albanese paying tribute to his New Zealand counterpart, Jacinda Ardern, after her shock decision to stand down. says that Jacinda. The Australian has a different take from its columnist Greg Sheridan, who opines that she was a “dreadful” leader. The paper also claims an exclusive by reporting that the teal independents will back the Indigenous voice to parliament even if it fails to win referendum backing.
What’s happening today
Toyah Cordingley | A court in New Delhi is expected to approve the extradition to Australia of Rajwinder Singh, accused of murdering Toyah Cordingley in Queensland.
Camper killings | Committal hearing continues for Greg Lynn charged with the murders of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.
Covid update | The weekly update on numbers and deaths from Covid will be released today.
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