Morning Mail: shock rise in fatal attacks on women, Blinken’s plea to Hamas, Greens pick fight on AirBnb levy
Morning everyone. With pressure growing for federal, state and territory governments to do more to combat violence against women, our top story details shocking new figures that reveal the number of women killed by their partners rose nearly a third in a year.
Plus, the top US diplomat, Antony Blinken, has urged Hamas to accept Israel’s “extraordinary” ceasefire deal, while the shark net controversy in New South Wales will ratchet up today with figures showing nine out of 10 creatures trapped are not dangerous.
Australia
Missed target | More than 90% of marine animals caught in shark nets off NSW this summer were non-target species such as turtles (pictured), with new documents revealing division within the government over the controversial program.
Domestic violence | The rate of women killed by an intimate partner in Australia increased by nearly 30% in 2022-23, compared with the previous year, according to data released by the Australian Institute of Criminology last night, bucking the 30-year downward trend. More than $300m additional annual government funding is needed to meet demand for legal aid services related to family violence, the national peak body has warned.
News tax | A defence thinktank is urging the government to hit big tech companies with a new digital platform tax to fund trusted news media in order to confront the “rising tide of misinformation and disinformation”.
Greens fight | The Greens are setting the stage for a fight with the Victorians government over its proposed Airbnb levy, citing new figures that show the measure will only make a “marginal” difference to the number of homes freed for renters.
‘Mental wreck’ | A 16-year-old disabled boy who was suspended from school for touching a support worker attempted suicide after being left a “mental wreck” by the incident, his mother alleges in the latest instalment our Classroom Divide series.
World
Blinken plea | The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has said that “the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire” is Hamas, ahead of what are seen as last-chance talks to salvage a diplomatic solution before a threatened Israeli ground invasion in Rafah. A US warship is off the coast of Gaza and building a floating platform to deliver aid to the enclave, according to satellite photos (pictured).
BHP Brazil offer | BHP has said it hopes to secure a $40bn settlement over the 2015 Samarco disaster, when the collapse of a dam left at least 19 people dead, 700 homeless and spread unprecedented levels of pollutants across the rivers and landscape of Brazil.
China benefit | Elon Musk’s visit to China has reportedly reaped rewards with a deal for Tesla to use mapping data provided by web search company Baidu, a big step in introducing driver assistance technology in the world’s biggest car market.
Yousaf gone | Humza Yousaf has stepped down as Scotland’s first minister after failing to secure enough cross-party support to survive a major crisis with the Scottish Greens. Yousaf has been in the role little more than a year, leaving his party to decide what happens now he’s gone.
Sogavare to quit | The Solomon Islands prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has announced he will not stand as a candidate when lawmakers vote for a new leader in the wake of his poor recent election showing.
Full Story
Jess Hill on what it will take to stop men killing women
Journalist and coercive control educator Jess Hill speaks to Nour Haydar about the major paradigm shift that governments still need to make to tackle violence against women.
In-depth
Tourists could be banned formally from walking or driving on the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre salt flats in South Australia, regarded as sacred by the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation. It’s been an unwritten rule for many years that visitors stick to the designated paths and viewing platforms on the 1,000km sq area that spawls in the state’s northern expanses. “We want to share our country with the world,” corporation chair Bronwyn Dodd tells Tory Shepherd. “We’re just asking people to protect it.”
Not the news
As the weather gets a bit colder, our style and fashion expert Lucianne Tonti is thinking about the woollen wear that can help you keep warm. From a black Australian merino wool cardigan to a Gucci jumper fit for a seaside cottage, five designers share their favourites.
The world of sport
Tennis | The Tunisian star Ons Jabeur explains how she is hoping to end her wait for a grand slam this European summer after three agonising final defeats.
Premier League | A majority of Premier League clubs have voted to explore revolutionary measures that would put a cap on player spending, with only Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa voting against.
Snooker | Ronnie O’Sullivan has opened up about a recent bout of anxiety after reaching the quarter-finals of the world championships as he bids for a eighth title.
Media roundup
Researchers behind a key UK study say Australia’s transgender healthcare guidelines lack rigour, the Australian reports. Planners want to make the Ballarat-Melbourne road running through Melton into a car-free zone, the Age reports. A list of life hacks for Brisbanites has reignited the city’s old divide with one northsider calling the southside a “barbaric place with primitive humans”, the Courier Mail reports.
What’s happening today
Queensland | Pre-trial hearing for man accused of murdering Toyah Cordingley.
Perth | Linda Reynolds defamation case against Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz returns to court for an unscheduled hearing.
Economy | Retail trade figures are due at 11.30am.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
