Good morning. Children at risk of serious harm are reported to New South Wales authorities every day, but the child protection system is so stretched that many of these children do not get seen by a caseworker. The public would be “mortified” if they knew the stories of children left unseen, says one speaking to Catie McLeod in our long read.
Meanwhile, independent MP Zali Steggall is doubling down on calling Peter Dutton’s Palestinian visa ban stance “racist”. She withdrew the comment in parliament this week – but now tells us that she stands by it.
Matthew Perry’s personal assistant is among five people facing charges over the death of the Friends actor. And Raygun is speaking out over the “devastating” online hate she has faced after her Olympics breaking.
Australia
Report ‘toothless’ | Greens senator Dorinda Cox says she is “gutted” by the report of the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and children because it does not do enough to address “absolute crisis levels of violence”.
Gaza visas | The Coalition’s call for a blanket ban on visas for Palestinians fleeing Gaza is facing intense scrutiny, with independent MP Zali Steggall doubling down on claims it would be racist.
Period poverty | A draft plan shows that period products may be excluded from the NDIS – and classified as “lifestyle related” alongside such products as trampolines and gaming consoles.
Oil up | Prices for Australian olive oil have risen 20% in the past year with local growers and producers saying difficult growing conditions and higher production costs are to blame.
‘Shocked and gutted’ | Disappointed NSW Liberals aren’t ruling out legal action against their own party, and others are demanding their money back after an administrative disaster that will prevent them from running in upcoming elections. Reports have emerged this morning that state party leader Richard Shields was sacked overnight.
World
Middle East crisis | The death toll in Gaza has hit 40,000 – with thousands more yet to be counted as the UN human rights chief laments the “grim milestone”. And a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks has begun without Hamas attending.
US politics | Donald Trump has added five new campaign advisers as he attempts to find attack lines against Kamala Harris. Trump has also requested that sentencing in the hush-money case take place after the election. Meanwhile, Harris has been backed by a major Latino voter group.
Matthew Perry | California police have made five arrests over the death of the Friends actor, who was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home last October after “acute effects of ketamine”.
Mpox | Sweden has confirmed its first case of the more contagious variant of mpox, a viral infection that spreads through close contact, in the first time it has been found outside Africa.
Russia-Ukraine war | Ukraine’s troops are now in full control of the Russian town of Sudzha, Volodymyr Zelenskiy says. Meanwhile, a report claims that a Ukrainian sabotage team blew up the Nord Stream pipeline.
Full Story
The media is in crisis, gambling ads are not the answer
This week the Labor government is facing criticism for its proposal to put a cap on gambling advertising despite most people supporting an outright ban. But why water down legislation that holds such high community support? According to Bill Shorten, because the future of free-to-air TV depends on it. Gabrielle Jackson speaks with Lenore Taylor and Patrick Keneally about the current crisis in the media – and why we should be looking for answers outside the gambling industry.
In-depth
Of the tens of thousands of children reported to the NSW child protection hotline as being at risk of serious harm in NSW, only a fraction are actually seen by a case worker. Even the minister has called the system “broken”. In this long read, Catie McLeod travelled to the hotspot of the NSW northern rivers and spoke to case workers and people who have been through the system about its fundamental failings, and the impact on children’s long-term health and the cycle of violence.
Not the news
How do you start afresh after a runaway success? Adventures Unlimited is Andy Griffiths’ answer, his new children’s book series after the beloved 13-book Treehouse series with illustrator and collaborator Terry Denton. In the first instalment in Adventures Unlimited, The Land of Lost Things, characters named You and Me embark on an adventure in their homemade adventure suits – cardboard box hats, toilet rolls, uggs and utility belts for comfort and function.
The world of sport
Olympics | Breakdancer Raygun says online hate has been “devastating”. And Jordan Chiles says “unjust” stripping of bronze has led to racist abuse.
Rugby league | The Western Bears could thrive in Perth as the NRL learns lessons from darker times, writes Nick Tedeschi.
Cycling | Demi Vollering’s crash has put the Tour de France Femmes crown in jeopardy as Blanka Vas shines.
Football | Fans adore Ange Postecoglou’s brave style of play but set piece frailties may hamper Tottenham’s top four hopes, writes Sachin Nakrani.
Media roundup
Strict requirements governing the export of American weapons to Australia will be lifted from next month as Aukus partners look to share military technology, reports the ABC. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Coalition is escalating its split with Asio chief Mike Burgess and calling for a “high-powered probe” into terrorism definitions. Researchers have been left stumped by a shark slumber party off Flinders Island that remains girls-only – no boys allowed, reports the Mercury.
What’s happening today
ACT | Public hearings are scheduled in the Senate inquiry into artificial intelligence, including submissions from Meta and Google.
ABS | The latest marriages and divorce figures are set to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
ACT | The Senate economics committee is due to hold a hearing on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s annual reports.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
