Promised

Exclusive: Report from LNP-convened panel heavily criticises police responses to family violence and calls for civilian oversightGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Queensland government has buried the findings of its own working group of domestic violence victim-survivors, after their report was heavily critical of police responses and called for a “civilian review mechanism” to escalate complaints about police.The Liberal National government has repeatedly said it would “put victims at the heart” of the state’s justice policies. Continue reading...

• Former President Donald Trump delivered a prime-time address making accusations of widespread election fraud without providing specific evidence. • The speech lacked supporting testimony or data from key figures like Tina Peters and Mike Lindell, relying instead on general claims of insecurity. • Critics argue these "mad ramblings" are detrimental because they undermine public trust in voting systems and the legitimacy of election outcomes.

• The United States and Iran are locked in a persistent "grey zone" conflict characterized by a cycle of military pressure and diplomatic overtures. • Despite Donald Trump's previous promises to avoid "forever wars," the current strategy suggests that diplomacy is being used to manage the conflict rather than resolve it. • This dynamic indicates a shift where negotiations serve as a tool for stability within a state of perpetual tension rather than a path toward a definitive peace agreement.

State budget suggests Minns government is addicted to pokies revenue, with tax take predicted to jump from $1.6bn to $2.2bn annually within four yearsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnti-gambling advocates say surging tax revenue from poker machines in New South Wales is a betrayal of the Minns government’s promise to reform the industry.Tuesday’s state budget forecasts the annual revenue from all gambling taxes will rise from $3.8bn in 2025-26 to $4.7bn by 2029-30. That includes an annual rise in revenue from poker machines in pubs and hotels of 7.5%, outstripping inflation, meaning the government expects to pocket $2.2bn from pokies in 2029-30 compared with $1.6bn this financial year. Continue reading...

Former frontbencher launches most significant internal criticism of $368bn Aukus deal since ALP national conference in 2023Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia needs a backup plan for the Aukus submarine agreement, Labor MP Ed Husic has warned, arguing sluggish American production and the “transactional nature” of the Trump administration have put the multi-billion-dollar defence deal at risk.The defence minister, Richard Marles, this week agreed to US requests for Australia to accept three second-hand Virginia-class nuclear submarines, rather than a combination of new and old vessels. Continue reading...

Negotiators from Iran travelled to Qatar on Monday, with the fate of the country’s nuclear programme and access to frozen assets under discussionMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe US has launched strikes on southern Iran in a test of the seven week-long ceasefire, as both sides played down hopes for an imminent peace deal even as negotiators from Tehran began new talks in Qatar.US forces targeted missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines, US central command (Centcom) said on Tuesday, but stressed that the strikes did not indicate the ceasefire with Iran was over. Continue reading...

It is clear among top officials in the Trump administration that the Israeli president overpromised in his pitch to the USMiddle East crisis – live updatesWhen Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, arrived at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on 29 December last year, he came with an ask – and a not so subtle inducement.After months of restocking air defence and other missiles after June’s 12-day conflict in which the US joined in to bomb Tehran’s nuclear facilities, Israel was ready to go again, this time with more substantial objectives. Continue reading...