If you were forwarded this email (Hi! Welcome!), you can sign up to the newsletter here.
Good morning!
Today is my last day before a short break.
My holiday tradition: Buy a minimum of two books at the airport. It’s mandatory. Please send me all your holiday book recommendations. And I’ll see you on the other side!
I’ve got 10 seconds
The quote: “It was us.” Progressive lobby group 'GetUp!' announcing it staged the protest banner rolled out behind Pauline Hanson’s inaugural National Press Club address. The banner read: “I opposed a pay rise for workers while I took a $100,000 pay rise for myself.” The Press Club referred the stun to the AFP.
The stat: 3. The number of goals Lionel Messi scored in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria, his first ever World Cup hat-trick. The result means Messi has now tied the all-time record for career men’s World Cup goals with 16.
The big question:
Will you get up at 5am to watch the Socceroos' next game?
Yesterday’s results: 58% of you believe Australia isn’t doing enough for First Nations people. 24% of you believe Australia is doing enough. Thanks for voting - your responses inform TDA's journalism and research. [2,886 votes]
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
The Victorian Government has announced gun law reforms, including strengthening background checks, in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. The new proposal includes restricting firearms licences to Australian citizens and permanent residents from New Zealand only, with an exemption for non-citizens who need a firearm for work. The State Government said: “This ensures that the background information supplied from other jurisdictions as part of the licensing process, such as criminal record checks, is as reliable and accurate as possible.” The reforms include harsher penalties of up to 15 years in prison for gun trafficking, while the Police Commissioner will be given powers to reclassify firearms, so law enforcement can “respond faster to new technology and emerging threats.”
U.S. officials disrupted a planned attack targeting the recent UFC White House event, according to newly unsealed court papers. The FBI uncovered the alleged plot, which included plans to fly explosive drones at the site, and shooting panicked crowd members as they fled. The attack was uncovered via encrypted text messages between roughly 20 participants who shared detailed maps of the area and discussed the need for escape routes after the attack. FBI agents learned about the possible threat last week, four days before the UFC fight on the White House’s South Lawn. Five people have been arrested from states including Ohio, Missouri and California. FBI Director Kash Patel praised the “rapid action” of investigators who thwarted the operation.
Together with AAP.
Recommendation of the day
House of the Dragon is taking over Sydney's underground
House of the Dragon is back – and HBO Max is bringing the Seven Kingdoms to Sydney.
On Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June, The Dragon's Lair opens beneath the city in Wynyard's historic tunnels: a fully immersive, smoke-filled trial to test whether the Valyrian spark lives in you.
Tickets are strictly limited and first come, first served, with a small number released at the door each day. Season 3 premieres Monday 22 June, only on HBO Max.
I’ve got 1 minute
The Federal Government has announced early childhood educators will receive a raise of 15% over 18 months. It comes one month before workers planned to walk off the job in support of a pay rise.
Announcing the increase, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that in order to access funding, childcare centres will need to meet the National Quality Standard from July 2027.
Context
In late 2024, the Federal Government gave early childhood educators a 15% pay rise over two years.
Further rises were not included in the latest Federal Budget, delivered in May. In response to this, the United Workers Union (UWU) announced educators would walk off the job on 15 July, closing centres nationwide.
UWU Early Education Director Carolyn Smith said: “Educators fought hard for this [raise] and the Government had every opportunity in the Budget to finish the job.”
Announcement
On Wednesday, the Government announced that it was committed to extending the 15% pay rise over 18 months after the existing scheme ends in November.
Combined with new minimum award wage rates, the Government said early childhood educators will earn around $255 to $410 more per week (depending on their role) than in December 2024. Australian Childcare Alliance President Paul Mondo called the decision a “positive step toward recognising the critical role educators play in the lives of children and families”.
In July 2025, the Government passed laws giving it the power to stop funding childcare centres that do not meet the National Quality Standard (NQS), set by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority. Centres that do not meet NQS by July 2027 will not receive Government funding.
Opposition
Shadow Education Minister Julian Leeser and Shadow Choice in Childcare and Early Learning Minister Matt O’Sullivan said they “welcome the certainty” of the announcement. However, they called the funding a “short-term solution”. The ministers added that the announcement “creates further work for childcare centres and doesn’t deliver the long-term planning expected by the sector.”
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
Quick hits
🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, there’s a new report that looks at how media is changing in Australia. TDA co-founder Zara and multimedia journalist Elliot break it down. Listen or watch on Apple here, Spotify here, or YouTube here.
🦺 Aussies are transforming safety for construction workers using AI. Presien, a physical AI company for heavy industry, used Claude to develop an agentic platform that analyses worksites around the clock – cutting critical safety events by over 70% in three months.
Transparency: This is a sponsored part of the newsletter - the best way to keep the newsletter free for you.
Home finds
☁️ Up to 40% off 500+ home essentials is the kind of EOFY maths worth paying attention to. Pillow Talk’s EOFY sale includes 40% off flannelette sheets, 30% off faux fur cushions and throws, 30% off goose down quilts and pillows, plus half-price selected quilt cover sets – shop the savings in-store or online before 5 July.
Transparency: This is a sponsored part of the newsletter - the best way to keep the newsletter free for you.
I’ve got 2 minutes
Last month, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detained hundreds of activists en route to Gaza aboard aid flotillas.
Multiple Australians from the flotillas alleged IDF soldiers sexually assaulted them while they were in custody.
After a meeting with the activists and two federal ministers this week, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has launched an investigation into their allegations.
The Israeli Ambassador to Australia called the investigation a “mistake”.
Background
On 14 May, around 50 boats departed from Türkiye towards Gaza as part of the Global Sumud and Freedom flotillas.
The activists, including 11 Australians, said their aim was to deliver aid, including food, and medical, sanitary and educational supplies.
En route, all vessels were intercepted by the IDF, who detained the activists.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video of their detention, showing troops shove and push the detainees. Israel then deported the group.
Allegations
Upon their arrival in Australia, multiple activists alleged that while in custody, IDF soldiers assaulted them.
Speaking to media at Melbourne Airport, Violet CoCo alleged: “Israel beat, tortured and sexually assaulted me and my fellow humanitarian peace activists for days.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong was asked about the allegations on 4 June at Senate Estimates, saying her “position is to always believe women when allegations of sexual assault are made”.
Investigation
This week, activists Neve O’Connor, Luca Lamont, Juliet Lamont, and Gemma O’Toole met with Wong and Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly.
In a statement to TDA, a spokesperson for Wong said the ministers requested the AFP be present in the meeting and “explain investigative options to the group.”
The spokesperson added: “Minister Wong has condemned the actions of Israeli authorities and the behaviour of Israeli Minister [Itamar] Ben-Gvir who we have already sanctioned. Minister Wong has raised these allegations multiple times and made clear directly to Israel that Australia expects an independent, transparent investigation.”
AFP powers
The AFP has posts in 40 countries, including four in the Middle East, though not in Israel.
It has the power to investigate breaches of international law overseas, such as crimes against humanity. Sexual violence is considered a crime against humanity if it is carried out “as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population”.
Response
On Wednesday morning, Israeli ambassador to Australia Hillel Newman told ABC Radio National the activists alleging the IDF had assaulted them were “professional provocateurs.”
Newman said it is a “terrible world where you can... be accused of rape without any credible evidence”.
“[The AFP is] wasting their time on such a futile accusation,” Newman said.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
A message from Dry July
Going alcohol-free for a month does wonders for you. But with Dry July®, it does something for someone else too.
Sign up to Dry July and your month off alcohol does something even bigger. The funds you raise support Australians affected by cancer, funding the support services that make a difficult time a little easier.
Taking care of yourself while helping Aussies in need. It’s a no-brainer.
Give me some good news
Credit: Getty
Aussie teen sprint sensation Gout Gout has set a new under-20 world record at an event in Czechia.
The 18-year-old ran 150 metres in 14.96 seconds to finish third at the Ostrava Golden Spike on Wednesday. Gout not only broke the under-20 world record, but he also set a new national record. Gout’s efforts this week secured him his second recent under-20 world record, after he completed the 200m sprint in just 19.67 seconds in April. Middle-distance runner Peter Bol also appeared for Australia at the Golden Spike, with his 1000m win setting a new Oceania record.
Reporting by George Finlayson.
TDA titbit
Credit: Glue
If you grew up in the 2000s, this one might hurt.
Australian fashion retailer Glue Store has officially closed for good after 27 years in business. The brand, which stocked labels like Stüssy, Vans, and Lee, was bought by Accent Group in 2021. But after posting an $8.4 million loss earlier this year, it has now been wound down.
The good news? Other Accent-owned brands aren't going anywhere, including Platypus, Skechers, Nude Lucy, and Vans.
Reporting by Pavitra Ravi.
TDA asks
