Morning, everyone. It’s perhaps not news to people looking for a home they can afford to buy, but Australian house prices are back at record levels after recovering to last year’s peak. As we examine this trend it also links directly to a special report this morning on how the political outlook of younger Australians is changing as they experience a “new kind of adulthood” where home ownership and children come much later in life, if at all. Plus we have the second part of our Weight of the world series on climate change.
Overseas there’s breaking news of an explosion at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls on the US-Canada border. And a four-day truce is due to begin in Gaza later today.
Australia
‘Tim’s been shot’ | “My first thought was: Tim [Flannery]’s been shot,” says Lesley Hughes in the second instalment of the Weight of the world series, in which we talk to some of Australia’s first climate change scientists about the personal toll of their pioneering work. Hughes says she thought the carbon tax debate had become so toxic that when she heard a loud noise while on stage with Flannery, who was then chair of the Climate Commission, it might be an assassination attempt. Hughes emerged from that time battle weary but optimistic. “I’ve come to the conclusion that hope has to be a strategy,” she says.
‘Counterintuitive’ | Despite rate hikes and gloomy consumer sentiment, house prices across Australia have risen 8.1% since their slump in January. But Corelogic sees the pace of price increases falling off as interest rates remain high, as indicated by Reserve Bank governor Michelle Bullock last night.
Exclusive | Australia’s 100 wealthiest schools had a combined income of $4.8bn in 2021, data reveals, as calls grow for the federal government to reduce inequality in the education system.
Detention call | The Coalition and Greens want Clare O’Neil to release the government’s legal advice on indefinite detention, with the opposition claiming that the home affairs minister may have already revealed its contents publicly.
Power push | The Albanese government will radically expand funding for clean power generation and storage capacity as it tries to keep on course to meet its objective of 82% renewable energy by 2030.
World
Ceasefire due | A four-day ceasefire is due to come into force in Gaza on Thursday morning local time but more than 100 Palestinians were reported killed as Israeli forces continued attacking the enclave before the deal came into force. Aid agencies say the truce will be too short to be provide humanitarian relief to Gaza’s 2.3 million people.
Border blast | The FBI is investigating a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge, a border crossing between the US and Canada in Niagara Falls. Follow this breaking story live.
Trump alarm | Donald Trump’s threats to weaponise the justice system in pursuit of his enemies poses a direct threat to the rule of law and democracy in the US should he win a second term, experts say.
Cameron inquiry | Britain’s foreign secretar,y David Cameron, is being investigated over whether he fully disclosed taxable perks such as flights on private planes when he worked for the collapsed Australian lender Greensill Capital.
Washington warning | A plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the US has been thwarted and Washington has issued a warning to India over concerns its government was involved, according to reports.
Full Story
The climate scientists who hold out hope – Weight of the world part three
In the final part of this three-part series, Lesley Hughes, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg and Graeme Pearman look back on their life’s work. How does it feel to carry this burden of knowledge? Could they have done more? And what hope do they hold for the future?
In-depth
A fascinating report today by our data expert Josh Nicholas looks how demographic change is affecting political attitudes in Australia. Voting trends show younger people are much less likely to vote for the Coalition compared with past generations, with millennials more likely to have a degree, be less religious, identify as LGBTQ+ and not have kids or own a home. The political scientist Prof Ian McAllister says this is “a fundamental change in society, which is going to significantly affect politics over the next 20, 30 years”.
Not the news
Stan’s new seasonal offering – Jones Family Christmas – is an upbeat Chrissy-gone-wrong dramedy featuring a setting in the middle of nowhere and stinking hot weather. What can go wrong? Well, plenty, of course, but Luke Buckmaster feels that although it yearns to be “a poignantly and powerfully atmospheric work” it falls short.
The world of sport
AFLW | After challenges travelling during Covid, the AFLW’s tally has of Irish players has jumped from 22 to 33 this season, with an immediate impact on their teams’ performances.
Premier League | VAR officials in England have been urged to speak out on “soft” penalties after a succession of controversial rulings.
Tennis | Cameron Norrie has said he will approach Novak Djokovic as “just another player” when he leads the Great Britain team against Serbia later toda,y while Alex de Minaur must beat Czech No 1 Jiri Lehecka to keep Australia in the competition in Malaga.
Media roundup
Australia is “doubling down on a dumb strategy” of immigration to boost economic growth, a renowned economist argues in the Financial Review. The Age reports that windfarms and solar power face tax increases in Victoria. The Adelaide Advertiser reports that Jodie Jewell was planning to start a new life before she was found shot dead in her home, sparking a hunt for her alleged killer.
What’s happening today
Melbourne | School students are being encouraged to walk out of class at 12.30pm for a rally in the CBD.
Brisbane | A second pre-hearings conference will be held before the inquest into the shooting of two police officers and resident at Wieambilla.
Sydney | Journalists will gather for the Walkley media awards.
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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.
