Morning everyone. Labor is proposing to outlaw the charges we rack up when paying with debit cards, saying this will give consumers a better deal and help small businesses.
The Queensland premier, Steven Miles, tells us he won’t do deals with minority parties to stay in power; children are at risk from cheap online toys, Choice shows; unions back reform of negative gearing; and Donald Trump has lashed out at the biopic about his life.
Australia
Battery fail | An LED-lit tutu skirt, a spinning top and a set of building blocks are among a number of dangerous toys that were sold by Chinese-owned shopping platform Temu, Choice has found.
Cost cutting | The federal government is preparing to ban debit card fees and instruct the consumer watchdog to investigate excessive card costs, as the unpopular system of transaction charges gets set for an overhaul.
Exclusive | The Queensland premier, Steven Miles, says in a Guardian Australia interview he would rather see a minority LNP government in power after the 26 October state election than horse-trade with independents and minor parties to form government.
Exclusive | Unions NSW has thrown its support behind reform of the negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions, arguing the housing market is “fundamentally broken” and has become “easier to buy your 10th house than your first”.
Fire fear | Residents of a Blue Mountains town who were forced to defend themselves against an out-of-control backburn during the black summer bushfires are concerned fire trails in the area are not being maintained.
World
Trump slowdown | Donald Trump’s campaign has been limited by slow internet services in battleground states, our exclusive story reveals today, while the former president posted a late-night rant on social media about the biopic on his life, calling it a “hatchet job”. Follow developments on the campaign trail live as both candidates stump in Pennsylvania and Kamala Harris agrees to an interview on Fox.
Lebanon deaths | More than 20 people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a Christian town in northern Lebanon, prompting Hezbollah to fire ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv which reveal a degree of vulnerability for the Jewish state. Follow developments at our blog.
Militia threat | Emergency workers responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina were relocated over the weekend amid concerns that “armed militia” could pose a threat to their safety.
Anti-Zionism ‘win’ | The belief that Israel’s actions amount to apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide are “worthy of respect in a democratic society”, an employment tribunal has concluded in the case of a professor dismissed by the University of Bristol.
Bridge death | A 26-year-old British man has died after falling from a Spanish bridge while attempting to create social media content, according to authorities.
Full Story
The polarising politics of the Queensland election
With 11 days to go before the Queensland election, state correspondent Ben Smee talks to Tamsin Rose about how voters are being pulled to the right and the left by both major parties.
In-depth
As end-of-year exams begin to roll out across the nation, The Smith Family charity is calling on the federal government to create a national device bank in order to close digital inclusion gaps among young people. Caitlin Cassidy hears from student Deborah Botende, who is one of the 25% of Australians who don’t have access to essential technology.
Not the news
Robbie Arnott’s fourth novel, Dusk, tells the story of a pair of twins who set off into the Tasmanian highlands to hunt down and kill a puma that has been preying on sheep. In his review today, James Bradley says the descriptions of the twins’ journey “occasionally recall those of Cormac McCarthy” in a book that is “starkly beautiful and deeply felt”.
The world of sport
World Cup 2026 | New Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has wasted no time in implementing his ideas ahead of a critical World Cup qualifier against Japan in Tokyo tonight.
Cricket | Australia are dogged in defence of their title despite injury blows, and the Sharjah pitch has proved difficult for batters: we look at what we’ve learned so far in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Football | Germany take on the Netherlands in the Nations League this morning, while Italy travel to Belgium and Wales face Montenegro. Follow the scores here.
Media roundup
The big story in the Hobart Mercury is the resignation of deputy premier Michael Ferguson over the Spirit of Tasmania ferry fiasco. The University of Sydney’s governing body board has backed vice chancellor Mark Scott despite calls for him to quit over the student protest issue, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Doctors from three countries are being fast-tracked into Australia despite concerns of medical colleges, the Age claims. The Courier Mail finds that Queenslanders are split on key issues as early voting opens in the state election.
What’s happening today
Education | HSC exams begin in New South Wales.
Sydney | Highlights of the SXSW festival include an address by Julian Assange’s lawyer Jennifer Robinson on free speech.
Perth | Yindjibarndi compensation case over Fortescue Solomon mine hub.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
