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Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
Angus Taylor has improvised Coalition policy on migration and superannuation during a post-budget appearance at the National Press Club, prompting fierce criticism from Labor.
The shadow treasurer said the Coalition would seek to cut net migration by 25% over three years, suggesting the reduction would get shallower over time. That contrasted with opposition leader Peter Dutton’s budget reply, where he put forward a cut from 260,000 to 160,000, or 38%.
Taylor also said “Australians deserve the opportunity to use their super for every possible investment that’s available”, a comment which on its face goes far beyond proposals to expand the Coalition’s super for housing policy.
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, told reporters Taylor had failed to answer “the most basic questions” about migration, which was the “centrepiece of Peter Dutton’s budget reply”.
Top news
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Eight Australians hospitalised after severe turbulence | Of the 56 Australians confirmed on board Singapore Airlines flight SQ 321, eight have been taken to a Thai hospital and one has told how she was “flung to the roof” then thrown back to the cabin floor during the ordeal. Passengers reported a “dramatic drop” of 6,000ft (1,800 metres) in about three minutes.
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MP considered quitting politics after homophobic comments, defamation trial hears | The independent MP Alex Greenwich has suffered panic attacks and contemplated leaving public life after homophobic comments made on social media and published in the news by the former New South Wales One Nation leader Mark Latham. Today marks the first day of Greenwich’s defamation proceedings against Latham.
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CSIRO puts cost of new nuclear plant at $8.6bn | Electricity from nuclear power in Australia would be at least 50% more expensive than solar and wind, and require a “15+ year development time”, according to a report from the CSIRO that has for the first time calculated costs for large-scale reactors. It comes as the Coalition says it will release more details about its nuclear policy in due course.
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Ireland and Spain expected to formally recognise Palestinian state | Three Irish government leaders are due to hold a press conference to announce the plans today after earlier signalling their intention to recognise Palestinian statehood by the end of May. The Guardian understands that Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, will also reveal a date for formal recognition on Wednesday.
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More than half the world cannot speak freely, report finds | In its annual report, the advocate group Article 19 found the number of people facing a “crisis” in freedom of speech and information was the highest this century after a sharp rise from 34% in 2022 to 53% in 2023. India’s classification was upgraded from “restricted” to “crisis” while countries including Ethiopia and Mongolia also saw a deterioration in freedoms.
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Medical cannabis: cross-party committee says new impairment test needed | The joint committee on law enforcement has looked at the “challenges and opportunities” in tackling the nation’s drug problem, identifying the mismatch between medicinal cannabis use and existing drug-driving laws as an issue needing to be addressed.
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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces new lawsuit | Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing a new lawsuit from former model Crystal McKinney – the sixth complaint of sexual assault filed against Combs in six months. This comes just days after Combs says he took “full responsibility” for beating ex-girlfriend Cassie after a video of that incident surfaced.
In video
‘Shocking’ and ‘stupid’: New Zealand man fined after attempting to ‘body slam’ an orca
The New Zealand Department of Conservation has released vision of a man appearing to attempt to “body slam” an Orca, describing the behaviour as “shocking and stupid”. The 50-year-old Auckland man has been fined $600. “The video speaks for itself, it is shocking and absolutely idiotic behaviour,” Hayden Loper, a principal investigator at the department, said.
What they said …
“Cross your legs” – Queensland LNP MP Ros Bates
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The Queensland opposition MP Ros Bates caused outrage in state parliament after yelling the remark in question time this morning. Bates made the comment when quizzing the health minister about the fact pregnant women had been diverted from a local hospital. As the minister explained that small closures had occurred due to staff absences, Bates interjected by asking what the minister told pregnant women during those periods. “Cross your legs?” she asked. Bates withdrew the comment after criticism from Labor MPs. Watch the video.
In numbers
The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, has promised to prevent further extinctions – a mammoth task given Australia has more than 2,000 threatened plants and animals. Some 61 projects will get grants of up to $500,000 to help 73 species.
Before bed read
‘We’re really torn’: New Caledonia turmoil forces French nationals to sail to safety in Australia
Xavier Decramer and his family made a home in Nouméa but the eruption of violence has prompted them to leave “with a heavy heart”, Ben Doherty writes.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: HERN. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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