Good afternoon. The former Labor turned crossbench senator Fatima Payman has launched a new political party, which she has described as being “for the disenfranchised, the unheard and those yearning for real change”. Payman said Australia’s Voice would run candidates in seats around the country – possibly against her former Labor colleagues.
The West Australian senator, who quit Labor in July after crossing the floor to support a motion recognising Palestine, said the policies of Australia’s Voice would be announced in future and would focus on “progressive reform” in areas including housing, education, tax and cost of living.
“Australians are fed up with the major parties having a duopoly, a stranglehold over our democracy,” Payman said. “If we need to drag the two major parties kicking and screaming to do what needs to be done, we will do it.”
Top news
David McBride to appeal defence leaks sentence | Supporters cheered in court as the former army lawyer was granted the chance to appeal against his jail sentence for his role in leaking secret defence documents about alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.
Australian universities tumble in world rankings | The latest global university rankings showed 17 Australian universities have fallen down the scale, with seven having their worst results ever – including the University of Melbourne, which remains the country’s top institution.
Labor refuses to commit to new gambling ad legislation | The federal communications minister, Michelle Rowland, has pledged Labor will announce its plans on gambling ads before the election, but declined to promise whether that would actually involve new legislation.
Sydney man charged over alleged poisoning | A 61-year-old man has appeared in court following his arrest in south-west Sydney, after police alleged he tried to kill his wife by serving her tea laced with ant poison over an 18-month period.
Melbourne mayor allegedly offered favours for cocaine | The former Moonee Valley mayor Cameron Nation allegedly offered to intervene in a friend’s local parking complaint in return for drugs, according to a report by Victoria’s corruption watchdog.
Queensland LNP leader under pressure over abortion policy | David Crisafulli has refused to say whether he would give MPs a conscience vote on abortion reform, after audio emerged of a second LNP MP foreshadowing “corrections” to the laws after the upcoming election.
Fugitive NZ father spotted three years after disappearing | Pig hunters captured video of Tom Phillips and his three children in camouflage walking in rugged terrain in the Waikato region. Phillips fled with the children, whom he does not have legal custody of, just before Christmas 2021.
Musk revisits Harris assassination ‘joke’ | In an interview with Tucker Carlson, the X owner said it would be “pointless” to kill the “puppet” vice-president. Meanwhile, Brazil has lifted its ban on X after the company agreed to comply with the nation’s laws.
Women kicked off US flight for wearing crop tops | The two friends said they felt “like criminals” after a male flight attendant told them to “put something on”. Another woman who took her jumper off as a show of support was also removed with her toddler.
In pictures
Sumba’s sandalwood ponies – picture essay
On the parched plains of Sumba, a remote island in Indonesia’s eastern archipelago, a breed of hardy ponies plays a vital role in the lives of the local people. Known as sandalwood ponies, these small, resilient horses are more than just working animals – they are cultural symbols, markers of status, and increasingly, a draw for tourists.
What they said …
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“Take it from Pam and her Pam Pams … Get ʼem checked ladies.” – Jenna Fischer
In a post on Instagram, the actor, who played receptionist Pam Beesly on the US version of The Office, revealed she was diagnosed with “aggressive” breast cancer last year. Fischer said she was able to hide her diagnosis with “some great wigs and hats with hair” while undergoing treatment, but is now cancer-free.
In numbers
A study by the UK’s biggest food bank network estimates one in seven of the UK population are struggling in a category of deep poverty that makes them most likely to be using food banks or at risk of relying on them. The report found the number of people facing hunger and hardship in the UK rose by more than 1 million in the five years to 2023, driving food bank use to record levels.
Before bed read
Australian supermarket ginger beer taste test: ‘It’s the Sunrise breakfast TV of the soft drink aisle’
From aggressively spicy brews to one that tastes like “dental goo”, Nicholas Jordan tries 17 ginger beers – and gets fizzy-cal.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: LANT. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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