Morning everyone. First there was robodebt, but now there’s robotax. An increasing number of Australians have been receiving unexpected “passive aggressive” letters from the ATO telling them they owe money on historical debts that can run into thousands of dollars. We investigate what’s going on, plus how companies with billion-dollar revenue are benefiting from charity tax concessions, and Donald Trump hits back at the Colorado court decision.
Australia
Farm subsidy | Two companies set up to promote the agricultural industry are receiving charity tax concessions despite annual revenues of more than $1bn each.
Robotax ‘shock’ | A “shocked and upset” retiree has lifted the lid on how the ATO is pursuing what it calls “on-hold” debts after she received a letter telling her she owed $800 on the estate of her late father even though it had been settled years previously. Dubbed robotax, it seems the ATO is now chasing debts that are old, small or previously deemed uneconomical to chase.
Bank run | More and more people are turning up at food banks in the run-up to Christmas as they struggle to put food on the table this year. Young families are particularly affected, according to volunteers, who say it’s the “busiest Christmas ever”.
Adelaide stabbing | A woman has been killed and another taken to hospital after they were allegedly stabbed by a stranger at a business in Adelaide.
Photo crackdown | Childcare workers should not be allowed to carry a phone that can take pictures while working with children and parental authority should be required for workers to take pictures of children, a report has recommended.
World
Trump lashes out | Donald Trump has lashed out at the decision by Colorado’s supreme court to disqualify him from the presidential ballot next year over the January 6 insurrection. Catch up on why the court made its decision and what happens next with our explainer here.
Israel-Hamas talks | Envoys from Hamas and Israel are reportedly in Egypt for talks about which hostages can be exchanged for prisoners in a possible new truce in the weeks-long war. Follows developments live.
Climate of fear | Incidents of harassment, surveillance, threats and intimidation are creating a climate of fear at UN events including the recent Cop28 climate conference in Dubai, and leading activists to fear reprisals back home.
Brianna Ghey murder | A jury in Manchester has found two 16-year-olds guilty of murdering Brianna Ghey, a “unique, and truly unforgettable” transgender girl who was stabbed 28 times in a park in February.
‘An emergency’ | Doctors have blamed over-enthusiastic Christmas sex for the significantly increased risk of penile fractures – a medical emergency in which the erection-producing regions of the penis snap – over the festive period.
Full Story
The year the world labelled fossil fuels as the problem
The climate and environment editor, Adam Morton, discusses the biggest environment and climate stories of the year and why Australia is a country at odds with itself on the climate crisis.
In-depth
More than one in three Queensland voters say they are unsure about the new premier, Steven Miles, according to union-commissioned polling that shows support for the Labor government improved marginally after last week’s leadership change. But his flood response will be key to the party’s re-election hopes next year. Meanwhile, the badly hit coastal town of Machans Beach has seen residents rally round to help people like the Orwells (pictured) made homeless by the cyclone. Judy Hitching, who lost her own home, explains how she fell into coordinating the effort to give people a roof over their heads at the community hall. “This community’s beautiful,” she says.
Not the news
Volunteering to act as Santa at the kids’ daycare Christmas party seemed like the right thing to do for Kelly Eng’s partner. She would help manage the children and he would do the “ho ho ho-ing”. But as soon as her back was turned, the preschoolers launched an unforgiving attack, ripping off his hat, yanking his beard and knocking off his glasses.
The world of sport
Football | The Matildas striker Mary Fowler has had an eventful year starring for the national side in the home World Cup and for her English club side. She tells Caitlin Cassidy about how she deals with the newfound limelight.
Cricket | Coach John Davison has worked with Nathan Lyon since his youth and says his 500th wicket can spur him on still further.
Rugby union | Joanne Yapp, the former England women’s captain, has taken over as Wallaroos head coach and says the potential of her new team is “through the roof”.
Media roundup
Anthony Albanese’s chief spinner has quit amid what the Australian claims are “tensions” in the PM’s office about the government’s performance. University entry Atar scores for degrees in engineering, health science and maths have dropped by more than 10 points this year and universities are accepting lower marks, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The Herald Sun mourns the death of Frank Cozzo, the Melbourne furniture store king famed for fronting his own ads. Queensland tourism chiefs say the Great Barrier Reef has not suffered cyclone damage and pleaded with people not to cancel their holiday in the state’s far north, the Courier Mail reports.
What’s happening today
New South Wales | The NSW police detective inspector AB, who cannot be named, will face Hornsby local court on drink-driving charges.
Melbourne | Court appearance for a 33-year-old Cranbourne man charged with 71 counts of sexual assault at a nightclub in Prahran.
Business | ANZ bank holds its annual general meeting 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.
