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Good morning!
It’s been just over a week since the Treasurer handed down the Government’s budget and… it’s been a noisy week.
Today, we published our interview with Treasurer Jim Chalmers. In it, we cover:
Does the budget create a two-tier system, where older Australians keep the tax benefits, and younger Australians are shut out?
How is taxing shares at a higher rate helping young Aussies?
Why didn’t the Government consider implementing a higher tax on gas exports?
Listen to the full interview on Spotify here, or watch it on Apple here or YouTube here.
I’ve got 10 seconds
The quote: “I think some of them are very flattering. I thank them for picking very nice photos of me.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on AI-generated memes circulating online depicting him as a business partner in Australian companies whose founders are critical of the government's proposed capital gains tax changes. Some are arguing the changes would reduce the returns investors receive when selling shares in start-ups, making it harder for young companies to attract early funding.
The stat: 69,000. The number of motor collision claims NRMA Insurance received this year. Rear‑end crashes and failing to give way are the most common causes of incidents on Australian roads.
The big question:
How do you feel about Australia's future as a country?
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
On Monday (U.S. time), three men were shot and killed at a mosque called the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD). Police also found the bodies of the two suspects, aged 17 and 18, who are believed to have died by suicide. Police were also alerted about a landscaper close to the scene who was shot at, but not hit. Police said they are “considering this a hate crime” until proven otherwise. FBI Director Kash Patel said all resources will be made available to assist local partners to investigate the incident. ICSD announced it would be closed until further notice.
An accused triple-murderer appeared in court on Tuesday after the bodies of his wife and two children were discovered in a southwest Sydney home. Police were called to an address in Campbelltown on Monday night, where they found the bodies of two boys, aged four and 12, and a 46-year-old woman inside. Investigators said they had no prior knowledge of domestic violence incidents at the home. A 47-year-old man was arrested, was refused bail and appeared briefly at a local court on Tuesday. The man’s lawyer told reporters his client is “distraught”. Speaking outside the court, he added: “It's obviously a tragic set of circumstances for the victims, the community and the family of the victims”. The suspect did not apply for bail in court, and the matter has been adjourned until July. If this story has raised any issues for you, help is available via 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Together with AAP.
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I’ve got 1 minute
Married at First Sight UK has been removed from streaming services after allegations of rape and sexual assault during production.
It comes after three women shared allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by their on-screen ‘husbands’ in a BBC investigation this week.
The show’s broadcaster, Channel 4, has disputed the claims, but has launched an external review of the show’s welfare protocols.
Allegations
Three women shared allegations of sexual abuse with BBC reporter Noor Nanji.
One woman told the public broadcaster her ‘husband’ raped her, then threatened her with an acid attack if she reported it. The man’s lawyers deny the allegations.
Another woman alleged that despite telling producers once filming had finished that her ‘husband’ had raped her during production, the show went on to air her season.
A third woman, who chose not to be anonymous, also alleged she was the victim of a non-consensual sexual act.
Response
The BBC said the show’s broadcaster, Channel 4, had previously disputed the claims.
In response to this week’s reporting, Channel 4 said it had commissioned an independent review last month into whether the show failed to properly protect cast members behind the scenes.
Channel 4 said CPL, the production company that makes the show, has “some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry”.
Every season of MAFS UK has now been removed from streaming platforms, including in Australia.
If this story has raised any issues for you, help is available via 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Reporting by Achol Arok.
Quick hits
🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, Editor-in-Chief Billi interviews Treasurer Jim Chalmers on the Budget.
🥊 Sign up to TDA Sport here to read our exclusive interview with the Aussie boxer set to fight at the Pyramids of Giza.
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I’ve got 2 minutes
Credit: Global Sumud Flotilla
Israeli forces have intercepted a group of activists, including Australians, on an aid flotilla sailing to Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) and Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) left Türkiye last week, in an attempt to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had intercepted a “malicious plan”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was confirming the welfare of detained Australians.
Background
In 2009, Israel announced it had instituted a naval blockade of Gaza.
Over the following years, and particularly after a ceasefire fell apart in early 2025, flotillas have repeatedly sought to penetrate this blockade and deliver symbolic aid to Gaza by sea. None have reached Gaza.
Since October 2025, international aid has entered Gaza under a ceasefire deal. However, in April this year, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported food consumption in Gaza is “critically low”.
Mission
Last week, dozens of GSF and FFC boats began a mission from Türkiye.
Each boat carries non-perishable food, medicine, sanitary products, education and construction materials. They are also carrying emergency nutrition products to help people recover from malnutrition.
Over the weekend, the flotillas published footage of IDF soldiers boarding their boats and detaining people, including 11 Australians.
The flotillas said 41 boats were intercepted and 10 are still sailing.
GSF shared videos from their livestreams of the boats being intercepted, including the vessel Australian Neve O’Connor was aboard.
Israel’s response
Netanyahu praised IDF naval crews for intercepting the boats.
“You are doing an outstanding job and neutralizing a malicious plan designed to break the isolation we are imposing on Hamas terrorists in Gaza,” he said.
The PM added that he “would love to be out there with you.”
Australia response
A DFAT spokesperson said staff are “urgently seeking confirmation of the welfare of Australians we believe have been detained.”
“We understand people want to respond to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but we... urge Australians not to join others seeking to break the Israeli naval blockade as they will be putting themselves and others at risk of injury, death, arrest or deportation,” the spokesperson said.
Next steps
The flotilla has a livestream from each boat, and is tracking their locations. At the time of publication, there are 10 vessels en route to Gaza.
If they arrive, the activists plan to distribute aid on the ground.
DFAT said it will continue to provide consular assistance to Australians, where possible.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
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Give me some good news
A newly discovered fish species has been officially named after a Sesame Street character.
Australian marine biologist Dave Harasti was diving in Papua New Guinea in 2003 when he spotted a “strange, shaggy” red fish. After decades of trying to match it to any known species, Harasti made a breakthrough in 2020 when he found a male-female pair on the Great Barrier Reef.
With help from the Australian Museum and his collaborator Graham Short, Harasti’s discovery has now been formally recognised as a seventh ghost pipefish species (a relative of the seahorse). The NSW-based scientist named the fish after Big Bird’s best friend, Mr Snuffleupagus, because of its “long snout, shaggy filaments, [and] whole vibe”. There have now been multiple recorded sightings of the Solenostomus snuffleupagus across the southwest Pacific.
Reporting by Emma Gillespie.
TDA titbit
Shakira has been awarded more than €55 million ($AU90m) from the Spanish Government after a court overturned the singer’s 2021 tax fine.
Confused? Well, in case you missed it, Spain's tax agency has been pursuing a fraud case against the Colombian pop star for years. Authorities in the Mediterranean country argued she spent enough time in Spain in 2011 to be considered a resident for tax purposes, and therefore owed €14.5 million in income tax. Shakira appealed a fine over the unpaid tax, and will now be reimbursed with interest.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Shakira said: “After more than eight years of enduring brutal public targeting, orchestrated campaigns to destroy my reputation, and sleepless nights that ultimately impacted my health and my family’s well-being, the National High Court has finally set the record straight. There was never any fraud.”
Hips really don’t lie.
Reporting by Pavitra Ravi.
TDA asks
