Morning Mail: Australia’s costly SUV obsession, News Corp shakeup, election fever in Britain
Morning everyone. Australia might be buying more electric vehicles, but the national obsession with SUVs and utes is expected to cancel out all the gains from cleaner cars. Meanwhile, the Murdoch empire’s top executives are gathering in Sydney ahead of an expected restructuring of the Australian business next week and it’s election fever in Britain as Rishi Sunak calls an election for 4 July.
Australia
Succession planning? | Lachlan Murdoch has been joined in Sydney by the News Corp UK boss, Rebekah Brooks (pictured), and global chief, Robert Thomson, ahead of the announcement of a major restructure of the empire’s Australian newspapers next week.
Electric shock | The transport sector “is projected to be Australia’s highest-emitting sector by 2030” according to a new government roadmap on emissions, partly because drivers “increasingly prefer heavy passenger vehicles”. SUVs accounted for more than 50% of new vehicles sold in Australia in 2022 in a trend that could offset any reduction in emissions from “the increased adoption of electric vehicles”. Our Temperature Check column says the claim of a $600bn carbon capture windfall is based on heroic assumptions and selective analysis.
‘Recipe for chaos’ | The Albanese government’s proposed cap on international students is a “recipe for chaos” and the largest ever government overreach in Australia’s higher education system, leading policy experts have warned.
Battery pack | The country’s first national battery strategy has been unveiled aimed at turning Australia from a “dig-and-ship” economy into a powerhouse manufacturer of better – and safer – renewable energy storage.
‘Insidious’ | Victims of the debt collection industry say they have been bombarded with phone calls, seen the harassment of friends and family – and even faced misleading and false threats.
World
‘I’m confident’ | Standing in the pouring rain outside No 10, Rishi Sunak called a general election for 4 July and said he felt “confident” despite trailing Labour by 20 points. He believes that improving economic news makes this the best time to go to the polls, although Labour leader Keir Starmer is expected to win despite his low personal popularity. Here’s all you need to know, and you can also follow developments live.
Middle East crisis | The US is worried that Israel may be willing to torpedo a normalisation deal with Saudi Arabia if it entails ending the war in Gaza and committing to working towards a two-state solution.
Raisi funeral | Tens of thousands of Iranians have attended the funeral in Tehran of the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, whose death in a helicopter crash on Sunday has opened up a potentially volatile moment in Iranian politics.
Exclusive | At least 1,000 paintings that the artist Damien Hirst said were “made in 2016” were created several years later, the Guardian can reveal.
‘Bionic MP’ | A UK Conservative MP who had his hands and feet amputated last year due to sepsis returned to the Commons for the first time since his illness, receiving a standing ovation from fellow MPs.
Full Story
Greg Lynn trial: murder or ‘tragic accident’?
Greg Lynn denies murdering Russell Hill and Carol Clay at a remote alpine campsite in March 2020 in a case that has gripped the nation. Nino Bucci talks to Nour Haydar about the trial’s latest developments.
In-depth
A bill introduced to Queensland’s parliament yesterday marks one of the final hurdles in a 25-year fight by Kerri Favarato to discover her genetic origins. Under the planned legislation, Favarato and other donor-conceived people will be able to demand her medical records from the clinic where she was “produced” in 1982.
“It’s been hard, but I would prefer to know the truth than be lied to,” she says. “And I think that’s something that parents are really scared about. The truth will always come out.”
Not the news
Elefant Traks, the independent hip-hop and electronic music label that broke beloved Australian artists such as the Herd, Hermitude and Horrorshow, are “calling it a day” after 26 years in which they have revolutionised the business. Ahead of a farewell tour of gigs, Tim Levinson and Kenny Sabir (pictured) speak to Jack Tregoning about their successes and why Levinson is sticking to their plan of not being “another old white guy running the shop”.
The world of sport
Football | Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou (pictured) received an adoring welcome home to Melbourne last night but Newcastle United rained on his parade by beating the Londoners on penalties in a friendly at the MCG. And it’s the Europa League final this morning with Bayer Leverkusen facing Atalanta in Dublin.
A-League Men | The Central Coast is buzzing ahead of the Mariners’ first-ever home grand final this weekend when the team are hoping to turn Gosford yellow with a win against Melbourne Victory.
Cycling | Tadej Pogacar pulled further ahead of the field after stage 17 of the Giro overnight, but the day belongs to Georg Steinhauser of Germany who halted the Slovenian’s run of stage wins.
Media roundup
Growing super balances mean an increasing number of women can retire without relying on a partner’s income, according to new data cited by the Australian. The national capital has been ranked the second-best city in the world for quality of life, the Canberra Times reports. Residents in Surfers Paradise want action taken over a series of “hit-and-runs” against pedestrians involving e-scooters and e-bikes, the Bulletin reports. Talks over alleged racism at Hawthorn are on the brink of collapse according to a former player, the Herald Sun reports.
What’s happening today
Sydney | A hearing is expected on an injunction by a Star casino group partner against the Sydney Morning Herald to prevent publication of a inquiry into Chinese crime links.
Environment | A public hearing on proposed aerial shooting of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park is set to be held.
Canberra | The deputy commander of the US/Indo-Pacific command will speak at the National Press Club.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
