Good morning. Our top story breaks down the results of the latest Guardian Essential poll which has the Albanese government maintaining a commanding lead over the Coalition. But poll respondents were not convinced that last week’s budget will ease cost-of-living pressure or create jobs.
Meanwhile, Australian banks have unveiled a new tool to help combat scammers, and we have an exclusive interview with Penny Wong who is on a mission to improve Australia’s diplomatic relations around the Pacific. Plus – rental nightmare stories from Australia’s overheated market.
‘Scammers will hit a brick wall’ | Australians lost over $3bn to scams in 2022 alone, but banks say a new anti-fraud platform will enable them to act quickly to freeze money sent to scammers.
Guardian Essential poll | Anthony Albanese records strong approval of his performance with 54% of respondents approving of the job he is doing as prime minister, up three points. The poll also tracks attitudes to the budget, the voice and the monarchy.
Rental market pressures | Tenants who are evicted or leave unsatisfactory properties are increasingly finding that the same homes are going back on the market at a higher asking price.
Warragamba Dam | Controversy over the multibillion dollar plan to raise the wall at Sydney’s main reservoir may not be over, with ministers in the NSW government told that “safety issues” might necessitate work.
Anglicare | The charitable organisation has been urged to immediately review its response to allegations of sexual abuse after a royal commission found it failed to report a woman’s assault to police.
World
Turkish election | Turkey’s presidential election is going to a runoff as neither Recep Tayyip Erdoğan nor his rival Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu secured more than 50% of the vote in a closely fought national poll.
Thailand chooses change | Opposition parties including Move Forward and Pheu Thai have started alliance talks to form a coalition government after voters reject military rule.
Russia-Ukraine war | The UK has pledged to provide Kyiv with more weapons, as Ukraine strikes Russian forces in the occupied city of Luhansk ahead of a long-awaited counteroffensive.
Political violence | A man wielding a baseball bat sought out a Democratic member of the US Congress at his district office in Virginia before “committing an act of violence” against two staff members.
Pothole outrage | An Italian pensioner has vowed to fight against the “injustice” of being fined almost $1,400 by local authorities for fixing a pothole himself.
Full Story
Flight delayed? Airlines may be forced to compensate you
Australian airlines could soon be forced to pay cash compensation to passengers whose flights are delayed or cancelled. Laura Murphy-Oates speaks to Elias Visontay about how airlines are letting down consumers, and what the government could do about it.
In-depth
As she marks one year in the role, foreign affairs minister Penny Wong tells us about her mission to repair regional ties across the Pacific by making a “clear statement of our priorities”. A year ago, Wong claimed that the Coalition had “dropped the ball” in the Pacific. Now she says Australia’s relationships were in an even worse state than she initially believed – and that is something she is determined to rectify.
Not the news
Guardian Australia film critic Luke Buckmaster delves into the lineup for this year’s Sydney film festival and finds it packed with treats for cineastes. He shares 10 suggestions from the program, including Warwick Thornton’s The New Boy, Wes Anderson’s latest offering Asteroid City and a Finnish action film that critics have described as “something akin to pure cinema run through a Nordic meat grinder”.
The world of sport
Cycling | Race leader Remco Evenepoel has abandoned the Giro d’Italia after a positive Covid-19 result, with Geraint Thomas now wearing the pink jersey.
Rugby league | The 2025 Rugby League World Cup is in doubt after France pulled out of staging the event.
Football | The story behind Barcelona’s success in La Liga this season; Liverpool take on Leicester in a big game at both ends of the Premier League table.
Media roundup
Criminal syndicates are exploiting the education visa system by bringing fake students into Australia to work in their illegal operations, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The Northern Territory government is planning to open the National Aboriginal Art Gallery more than a decade after it was first announced but it needs a fundraising push, reports NT News. Legendary TV sports broadcaster Sandy Roberts has talked to the Herald Sun about his cancer diagnosis.
What’s happening today
Canberra | The inquiry into the handling of allegations against Bruce Lehrmann continues.
RBA | Minutes of the recent monetary policy meeting of the Reserve Bank board to be published.
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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.
