Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
News of Anthony Albanese and fiancee Jodie Haydon purchasing a $4.3m clifftop property in Copacabana on the New South Wales Central Coast has gone down exactly as expected today, with the prime minister facing heat from politicians and pundits alike.
At a press conference in Sydney, Peter Dutton couldn’t resist an election loss jab, claiming that Albanese’s coastal purchase showed the prime minister and Haydon “were obviously planning for the next stage of life, post-politics”, wishing him well in his plans. Albanese has denied the purchase is part of a retirement plan.
The Greens MP and housing spokesperson, Max Chandler-Mather, has also weighed in, accusing the major parties of creating “a housing system where a property investor can buy a $4.3m beachfront home, while millions can’t even find an affordable rental, let alone buy a house of their own”.
When asked if the purchase was “a good look”, Albanese said he understands he is “much better off” as prime minister, saying “I understand I [am] fortunate. I also know what it is like to struggle.”
Top news
George Negus dies at 82 | Negus specialised in international affairs and was the founding presenter on the ABC’s Foreign Correspondent and Dateline on SBS. His family said the TV and radio presenter had died after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Independence of parliamentary support service questioned | The employment dispute between Richard Marles and his former chief of staff Jo Tarnawsky is raising questions about the independence of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, after it sent Tarnawsky a legal letter that included Marles’ side.
Jobseeker now 20% of the average wage | While the average wage in Australia is $1,923 a week, jobseeker is just $393, an Acoss briefing on solutions to poverty shows. Youth allowance at $319.50 a week makes up just 17% of the average wage, 35% of the minimum wage and 56% of the pension.
Bar association dismisses accusations against Shane Drumgold | Complaints of misconduct raised against Shane Drumgold, the man who led the 2022 prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann, have been dismissed by the ACT Bar Association.
Sportsbet quietly drops novelty bets | Australia’s largest sports betting company has moved away from wagering on reality television and celebrity gossip for at least three weeks as it faces a government investigation.
Queensland Labor accused of ‘hypocrisy’ on abortion | The Greens say Queensland Labor’s decision to direct preferences to Katter’s Australian party candidates in north Queensland electorates is “absolute pure hypocrisy”. Robbie Katter has vowed to introduce a private member’s bill to wind back abortion rights and access.
Harris says Trump a ‘risk for America’ | During a rally in Pennsylvania, Kamala Harris has spoken to the danger that Donald Trump poses to America after comments from the former president threatening to use armed forces against his adversaries during his own Pennsylvania rally.
Prague bans night-time pub crawls | The Prague deputy mayor, Zdenek Hrib, told reporters on Monday that organised night-time pub crawls would now be banned. Jiri Pospisil, another deputy mayor, said the city wanted “more cultured” tourists.
New cervical cancer treatment regime | Doctors are hailing a “remarkable” new treatment regime for cervical cancer that reduces the risk of dying by 40%, in what’s being called the biggest advance against the disease in 25 years.
In pictures
Bureau of Meteorology releases 2025 weather calendar
The weather bureau has released its calendar for 2025, featuring space weather, a total solar eclipse and an elusive optical effect caused by light bending through fog. The weather calendar is now in its 41st year, and can be purchased here.
What they said …
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“My conker disintegrated in one hit, and that just doesn’t happen”
A cheating scandal has rocked the World Conker Championships. Organisers are investigating allegations this year’s winner, 82-year-old David Jakins AKA the King Conker, had a steel chestnut in his pocket. The retired engineer has denied using the metal variety in the tournament.
In numbers
In total, 124 HSC exams will be sat over the next 19 days, starting with English at 9.50am this morning.
Before bed read
A red-lipped batfish: is there anything creepier?
We’ve all been there. We’ve all felt like a badly made-up, odd-limbed, irritable floor-dwelling mess. The Guardian’s Helen Sullivan provides just the right amount of creep before you go to sleep.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: AGE. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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