Morning Mail: Dutton’s policy problem, our dangerous big cars obsession, Putin pushes back at ceasefire plan
Coalition insider fear push for office working not ‘thought through’ to win teal seats; why Australia’s ute obsession is a dangerous one
Good morning. Coalition insiders have a nagging fear that Peter Dutton’s insistence that people should stop working from home might make it hard to win back suburban teal seats. That fear is connected to a broader disquiet about their threadbare policy slate, with an election expected to be called very soon.
Plus – we have a special report on how Australia’s love of huge cars is linked to higher road deaths, Vladimir Putin questions the Ukraine truce plan, the UN calls Israeli attacks on women’s health in Gaza “genocidal”, and the unexpected joy of aqua aerobics.
Australia
Tough talks | Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, has vowed to keep fighting for exemptions from US tariffs, but says Australia has already “thrown everything” at talks with the Trump administration, which he warns has a “deep-seated” belief in trade barriers. Farmers fear they could be next in line for trade levies on Australia’s $6.2bn in meat exports. And it doesn’t look like the tariff train is stopping after Trump threatened a 200% tariff on wine and champagne from EU countries. Shares in Europe and the US fell again on the news.
Dutton backfire | Coalition insiders fear Peter Dutton’s vow to crack down on working from home policies is not “fully thought through” and could hamper the drive to win back teal seats in areas where there are many working mothers who enjoy the flexibility of not having to go to the office. This is also the subject of our podcast today.
‘Bad politicking’ | Labor and the Coalition have been accused by crossbenchers of “bad politicking” by teaming up to pass tough hate crime laws in the wake of a series of antisemitic incidents, including one revealed this week to be a “fake terrorism plot”.
Star struck | The Australian Electoral Commission is planning on using Elon Musk’s Starlink services as backup for transmitting voting results information in the federal election.
Premier performance | Queensland premier David Crisafulli has emerged from Tropical Cyclone Alfred with his standing enhanced. His challenge now, our state correspondent argues, is to avoid the policy fights that his attack dog deputy Jarrod Bleijie seems itching to start. Meanwhile, Brisbane council faces criticism for “heartless” treatment of the homeless.
World
Putin problem | Vladimir Putin has many questions about the proposed US-brokered ceasefire with Ukraine and appeared to set out a series of sweeping conditions before Russia would agree to a truce. Trump, meeting Nato chief Mark Rutte, said he hopes Putin “will do the right thing”. Follow developments in the conflict live.
‘Genocidal attacks’ | Israel’s systemic attacks on women’s healthcare in Gaza amount to “genocidal acts”, and Israeli security forces have used sexual violence as a weapon of war to “dominate and destroy the Palestinian people”, a UN report states.
Workers’ win | A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction to reinstate thousands of fired probationary workers at US federal agencies. Follow it all live. Protesters organised by a progressive Jewish group have occupied the lobby of Trump Tower in New York to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian student held by US immigration authorities.
Screen test | The mayor of Miami Beach is attempting to evict an independent cinema from city-owned property after it screened No Other Land, the Oscar-winning film about Palestinian displacement in the West Bank.
Super cells | A study of the genes of Maria Branyas Morera, who died last year aged 117, has concluded that her cells allowed her to essentially feel and behave as if they were 17 years younger.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: does Peter Dutton have a policy problem?
Reged Ahmad talks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor, head of newsroom Mike Ticher and national news editor Jo Tovey about Peter Dutton’s missteps and the Coalition’s policy problems and whether they will start to add up in the minds of voters.
In-depth
SUVs and large utes have become the most popular vehicles in Australia, accounting for nine out of 10 of the most popular vehicles sold last year. The number of deaths on our roads have been increasing for the past four years and many experts believe there is a direct link between fatalities and car size. Our transport reporter, Elias Visontay, kicks the tyres on this national obsession.
Not the news
Working out with people in their 80s might not sound like the most obvious fun for younger people. But Kate Leaver took the plunge to join an aqua aerobics class and despite not being called Barbara or Margaret she has never looked back.
Sport
Formula One | The Australian rookie Jack Doohan will get his first drive this weekend with underachievers Alpine but is under immediate pressure to hold on to his place.
Women’s football | Manchester City striker Vivianne Miedema warns that the women’s game has become less inclusive and less welcoming as Mary Fowler’s teammate tries to revitalise the team’s season.
Football | Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs must come from behind in the second leg of their Europa League last 16 tie against AZ. You can follow it live here, while Manchester United also have a season-defining test here.
Media roundup
The Australian reports the government has made a “generous” offer on rare minerals to tempt the Trump administration into giving Australia a tariff exemption. The Age details the six suburbs where 17,500 car parking spaces have been lost because of the suburban rail loop. The Adelaide Advertiser talks to South Australians and business owners about the “crushing” blow of energy price hikes. The Parramatta Eels’ first-round thrashing at the hands of Melbourne Storm cost bookies $30m, according to the Telegraph.
What’s happening today
Economy | Energy ministers meet today to discuss gas supply.
New South Wales | State parliament mental health budget estimates amid psychiatrist dispute.
Victoria | Nationals leader David Littleproud holds a press conference on crime in Bendigo.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.