Morning, everyone. Linda Burney has pointed to another disappointing Closing the Gap report as evidence that action is urgently needed to help change outcomes for Indigenous people – and this is why we need a voice to parliament. Labor is using Stuart Robert’s involvement in the robodebt scandal to lure voters in the Fadden byelection this weekend, Australia’s EU trade talks have broken down, and Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina is winning hearts and minds at Wimbledon. Plus: the “AI-generated” photo that wasn’t.
Australia
Robodebt revenge | Labor is telling voters in Fadden that “Stuart Robert’s disgraceful robodebt destroyed lives” in a string of negative social media ads targeting the outgoing MP’s legacy before Saturday’s byelection.
Backward steps | Just four Closing the Gap targets are on track and four others are going backwards, according to the latest data. The Productivity Commission’s latest report found worsening outcomes in Indigenous early childhood development, increased numbers of adults in prison and children in out-of-home care, and an increase in Indigenous suicide.
Talks breakdown | Talks between Australia and the EU over a free trade deal have broken down in Brussels overnight, with agriculture the sticking point. The trade minister, Don Farrell, says he’ll try again next month. The government is also disappointed by China asking for an extra month to decide whether to scrap barley tariffs.
Bug outbreak | Victoria has been hit by an outbreak of a gastro superbug shigellosis, which can lead to acute diarrhoea, fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, prompting a warning from the state’s chief health officer.
Snap decision | A mother’s iPhone photo of her son has been rejected from a Sydney competition after judges thought it was “suspicious” and ruled it could be AI.
World
Nato blasted | Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused Nato leaders of showing disrespect to Ukraine by refusing to offer Kyiv a timetable for when it will be invited to join the alliance as two-day summit began in Vilnius. Meanwhile a Russian ex-submarine commander who was accused by Ukraine of deadly strikes in the war has been shot dead while running in a park.
Semenya ruling | Caster Semenya, the South African double Olympic 800m champion banned from the sport, had her human rights violated in the handling of her case by the Swiss legal system, according to the European court of human rights.
BBC investigation | The Metropolitan police have asked the BBC to pause its inquiries into a suspended male presenter while specialist officers decide if there is any justification for a criminal investigation.
Trump request | Donald Trump has asked the federal judge overseeing the classified documents case to indefinitely postpone setting a trial date until after the 2024 presidential election.
Exclusive | The Renaissance painter Albrecht Dürer took “astonishing” revenge on his patron after a bitter row over pay by painting himself into a 1500s altarpiece that he painted for the benefactor, according to research.
Full Story
Ben Roberts-Smith v the media: part eight, the pursuit of truth
At the heart of the defamation case Ben Roberts-Smith launched against three of Australia’s biggest newspapers were the articles published by Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters. Ben Doherty speaks to them about the investigation and what it means for Australia’s military legacy.
In-depth
Peter Dutton is a big fan, but Net Zero Australia? Not so much. We’re talking about nuclear power, of course, and project set up to model how Australia might meet its 2050 climate target issues a report today arguing that it should not form part of Australia’s plans to reach net zero emissions because it is too expensive and too slow. “Only a dramatic fall in costs and prolonged renewable constraints would prompt a rethink,” it says.
Not the news
The Melbourne film festival is about to kick off and we’re suggesting 10 of the best things to see and do, from Zar Amir Ebrahimi in Shaydar, Hugo Weaving as a scabby hermit and Josh O’Connor as a grumpy archaeologist (all pictured). There’s also Matt Johnson’s gadget documentary, BlackBerry, and, Showing Up, auteur Kelly Reichardt’s new film starring Michelle Williams.
The world of sport
Rugby league | Brad Fittler’s NSW Blues will be desperate to regain some pride in State of Origin game three tonight after two defeats but the Maroons look ready to continue domination.
Women’s World Cup | The seven Matildas debutants named in Tony Gustavsson’s squad are hopeful of appearing at the game’s highest level, writes Jo Khan.
Wimbledon | Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, roared on by a packed crowd, defeated world No 1 Iga Swiatek in a thrilling quarter-final to set up a semi-final showdown with Marketa Vondrousova.
Media roundup
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has defended his budget surplus ($) and is defying calls for more measures to ease the cost-of-living crisis, the Australian reports. The Sydney Morning Herald says people who bought defective apartments from the bankrupt developer Toplace ($) are “frantic” to hear whether they will have to pay up to fix the faults. A “terrified” ($) holidaying couple have told how they were stranded on a rock after witnessing the crocodile attack at Wangi Falls, NT News reports.
What’s happening today
Environment | Net Zero Australia’s report is due out.
Canberra | There will be a public hearing for review of big four banks by parliament’s standing committee on economics.
Economy | The Reserve Bank governor, Philip Lowe, will speak at the Economic Society of Australia in Brisbane.
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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.
