Good morning. A third major energy retailer, Origin Energy, has wrongly received money from the welfare payments of its former customers via the beleaguered Centrepay debit system. Guardian Australia has previously revealed deep failings with the system, including that it helped prop up a disgraced Christian rehabilitation centre.
Ahead of tomorrow’s budget, new figures show that inflation could fall to below 3% by the end of this year – but the Australian economy is growing more slowly than expected.
And there is renewed fierce fighting across northern parts of Gaza, as Israeli forces attack Hamas militants in areas already left devastated by repeated rounds of fighting.
Australia
Budget 2024 | Inflation will fall back to within the Reserve Bank’s target range a year earlier than the bank has forecast, according to government figures released before Tuesday’s federal budget.
Exclusive | Energy retailer Origin is the third supplier known to have wrongly received money via Centrepay from vulnerable and low-income Australians in cases exposed by Guardian Australia.
Co-housing or no housing? | Victoria’s planning tribunal said a development in Eltham should have been backed as an innovative approach to the housing crisis – but the local council had other ideas.
What makes someone rich? | Ahead of tomorrow’s budget you’re likely to hear a lot about the “average Australian” and their financial situation. Our interactive tool shows how your income and wealth compare to others in the country, your age group and city.
‘Bloody awesome’ | Australians have been wowed by the aurora australis in the night sky over the weekend, with the lights display so spectacular it left at least one astronomer in tears.
World
Gaza crisis | Fierce battles and heavy bombardment have been reported in the north of Gaza as Israeli forces target Hamas fighters, as thousands of Israelis joined protests calling for a deal to bring home hostages still held by Hamas – and the immediate resignation of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Russia-Ukraine war | Vladimir Putin is to remove Sergei Shoigu as Russia’s defence minister; Ukraine’s top military commander admits that the situation in the Kharkiv region is “difficult”, as Moscow claims to have captured more villages amid continued assaults.
Donald Trump | The former US president praised the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs, “as a wonderful man” during a rally in New Jersey.
‘The world isn’t helping’ | Sudan’s Darfur region is on the brink of another disaster as fighting intensifies around El Fasher, the last city in the region not controlled by the Rapid Support Forces.
Going to the polls | Lithuanians are casting their votes in a presidential election after political campaigning focused on war in Ukraine, the threat from Russia and security in the Baltic region.
Full Story
Could a council ban on same-sex parenting books be overturned?
Earlier this month, Cumberland city council in western Sydney passed a motion banning books about same-sex parenting from its libraries. Nour Haydar speaks to New South Wales reporter Catie McLeod about the controversial decision – and the backlash to the ban.
In-depth
With the growing uptake of electric vehicles, more road users are doing some good for the environment by reducing emissions while also doing some “bad” for government coffers by escaping paying the tax for roads. The commonwealth had state electrical vehicle taxes struck down in court, but now reform is stuck in the slow lane. Paul Karp asks: is the Coalition planning to overtake Labor and tax rich inner-city EV drivers?
Not the news
Questions like “is someone who earns over $150,000 a year rich?” or “how much does the average Australian earn?” seem like they should be easy to answer. But in practice both questions are tricky. This interactive quiz allows you to compare your own income and wealth to that of other Australians, including within demographics specific to you, such as your age, family composition and living situation.
The world of sport
AFL | Remembering Cam McCarthy goes beyond black armbands and bouquets in the goal square, writes Jonathan Horn.
Football | Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix ground out a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their A-League Men semi-final; Arsenal have beaten Manchester United 0-1 to keep their Premier League title hunt alive.
Tennis | Having crashed out of the Italian Open, Novak Djokovic says he will undergo extra medical tests after being struck by a water bottle last week.
Cycling | Olav Kooij snatched victory in stunning style to win stage nine of the Giro d’Italia in Naples.
Media roundup
Tough questions about Australia’s national security have been raised after the inner workings of how China’s notorious secret police unit hunts down dissidents living overseas – including in Australia – were exposed by a former spy, the ABC reports. An inquiry has been asked to look into the impacts of AI-generated electoral content, including deepfakes, after misinformation swirled during the NSW election campaign last year, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Ahead of the state Labor conference in Victoria, a bloc of influential construction unions has joined more than 30 Labor branches in contesting the government’s redevelopment plans for Melbourne’s public housing towers, reports the Age.
What’s happening today
NSW | Chris Dawson launches an appeal against his guilty verdict for murdering his wife Lynette in 1982.
Queensland | Judge due to deliver a sentence over the man accused of the death of Emma Lovell during a home invasion in Brisbane.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
