Morning Mail: voters back gas tax, Hegseth denies Iran war a ‘quagmire’ as costs soar, drug use hits record levels
Poll shows Australians support levy on exports and extending fuel excise cut; wastewater survey reveals methamphetamine use rocketing
Morning everyone. Despite Anthony Albanese complaining that it is “dishonest”, the campaign for a higher tax on gas exports appears to be striking home with voters, our latest poll shows today. The use of illegal drugs is at record levels, according to monitoring of wastewater, and we take a smelly journey to mourn the death of an ocean giant.
Overseas, London has been rocked by the stabbing of two Jewish men and Pete Hegseth denied the US was in a quagmire in Iran.
Australia
Caught on camera | A video captured in suburban Sydney of possums climbing up trees to steal the eggs of regent honeyeaters – one of Australia’s most threatened birds – could be crucial in helping to save the species.
Exclusive | A majority of Australians support taxing profits from gas exports and extending the cut to the fuel excise, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll, despite Anthony Albanese yesterday ruling out a new tax on existing gas export contracts and remaining supportive of the fossil fuel industry.
Energy surge | More datacentres and warmer conditions helped push electricity demand to record highs in the first three months of the year, according to Australia’s Energy Market Operator, while growth in batteries kept average wholesale prices down.
Speed gauge | Methamphetamine use in Australia has almost doubled in the past decade and stimulants are being taken at record levels, new wastewater monitoring reveals.
Whale watch | An idyllic Sydney beach has been blighted by blobs of flesh and a smell like rotting garbage as authorities grapple with the problem of how to dispose of the body of a massive sperm whale washed up on the rocks.
World
‘No quagmire’ | Pete Hegseth has denied that the US-Israel war on Iran is “a quagmire” and claimed critics of the operation posed a greater threat to the US than Iran itself as the cost of the war rose to US$25bn. Separately, his wife has faced a backlash for wearing a bargain dress to the White House correspondents’ dinner.
London stabbing | Counter-terrorism detectives are leading an investigation after two Jewish men were stabbed and wounded in Golders Green, north London, in a suspected antisemitic attack. It has left members of the community wondering if they should move away.
‘Demolished’ | The US supreme court has ruled that Louisiana will have to redraw its congressional map, in a landmark decision that effectively guts a major section of the Voting Rights Act. Black politicians condemned the decision and said “we’re going backwards”. Follow developments in Washington live.
Mugabe order | Two months after an employee was shot in the back at the Mugabe family home in Johannesburg, a South African court has fined and ordered the deportation of Robert Mugabe’s youngest son back to Zimbabwe.
Film | Michael, the recently released biopic of Michael Jackson, has been severely criticised by the director of Leaving Neverland, the 2019 documentary that chronicled claims against Jackson of child sexual abuse.
Full Story
Mitch Brown on the AFL’s homophobia problem
Former West Coast player Mitch Brown, who last year became the first player to come out as bisexual, tells Nour Haydar the reduction of Lance Collard’s ban for using a homophobic slur is disappointing and dangerous.
In-depth
It’s a few years late and millions over budget but one of Australia’s most famous pools is almost ready for swimmers again. This week we got a sneak preview of the North Sydney pool renovation, which has involved a significant rebuild while preserving original features such as its stucco seashell reliefs and frog motifs.
Not the news
Beginning a series building up to America’s 250th birthday celebrations in July, Ed Pilkington jumps on board the Freedom Trucks – Trump’s six mobile museums that amount to a white, Christian retelling of the country’s complex history.
Sport
NRLW | Queensland’s women have a new coach, a new-look halves pairing and five debutants itching to test NSW’s hold of the State of Origin shield.
World Cup | Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine has taken aim at Fifa and the US over the governing body’s awarding of a peace prize to Donald Trump, heightening tensions before a tournament hit by controversy.
Football | Atlético Madrid host Arsenal this morning in their Champions League semi-final first leg clash. But can it come anywhere near yesterday’s extravaganza in Paris?
Media roundup
The NT News leads with an emotional plea from the grandmother of missing five-year-old Sharon Granites for her to come home. The City of Sydney is considering banning landlords from listing their investment properties on sites such as Airbnb, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Mona will unveil David Walsh’s “mind-bending dream library” wing at this year’s Dark Mofo, the Mercury reveals.
What’s happening today
Crime | Antisemitism royal commission interim report due.
Art | Packing room prize and Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prize finalists announced.
Politics | Charles Sturt University hosts the final Farrer byelection candidates’ debate.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
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