Good morning,
I'm Maddy Morwood here with you from the breaking news desk.
This morning we're looking at the brewing furore around the census. We're now up to six Labor MPs who have told the ABC the government should reverse its decision to axe questions that would (for the first time) give a number on how many LGBTQIA+ Australians there are.
Here's what's also making the news:
But let's get back to the simmering tensions over the census questions.
"It comes around every five years and gives the nation an idea of who we are — but next census, they won't ask about who we love or how we identify." That's our very own breaking news reporter Esther Linder saying it best.
And the Albanese government is facing, shall we say, a bit of internal backlash for its decision to quietly exclude questions surrounding identity and sexuality in the 2026 edition of the national survey.
Our political reporters Krishani Dhanji and Tom Crowley take us inside Parliament House for the unfolding story, as six Labor MPs, including assistant health minister Ged Kearney, have vented their dismay.
Labor MP Josh Burns told the ABC's Afternoon Briefing the census was "an important exercise [in] telling people that you count and that you matter" in more coverage from our political reporter Maani Truu.
I'll leave you with this:
Current estimates put LGBTQIA+ people as representing 11 per cent of the population. "Data informs public policy, and if we have the right data we can make better public decisions," said Independent MP for Wentworth Allegra Spender.
- Paralympics: While you were sleeping (I've missed saying that!), Australia has taken home four medals, including our first gold when Thomas Gallagher powered home to win the men's S10 50m freestyle final. This morning in the wheelchair basketball, Australia was taking on the Netherlands.
- Weather: There are fire warnings for Sydney, Wollongong and Mildura, while temps are set to approach 40C in parts of Queensland. Meanwhile Victorians are copping damaging winds courtesy of a cold front and whatever we did to upset the weather gods, we're sorry.
- Father's Day: Put down those socks and step away from the checkout. You still have time to get dad something good. (I will also say — on Sunday, cheers to all those we love in our life.)
- Harris and Walz: US Vice-President Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz sit down for their first joint interview. This video tells you what to expect, plus we'll be blogging all the action live from 10am AEST.
- Big four: The CEOs of ANZ, CommBank, NAB and Westpac are up again before the House economics committee. You will be able to catch it all in our live business blog today (recap yesterday's appearance here).
- Pacific Islands Forum: The regional summit wraps up today. Anthony Albanese has already departed but our colleague Stephen Dziedzic and Marian Kupu are still there and they'll bring you news of the final communique when it's released.
"People shouldn't have to suffer in pain and agony for years. cannot work, cannot socialise."
—That's an anonymous plea heard during a Senate committee's inquiry into the cost of living, which heard how dental health has become a luxury for many Australians.
Dental practices across Australia said they were concerned about cost of living pressures holding back patients from visiting a dentist regularly, and that could just mean trips to the emergency room later on. And most dentists expect their costs are only on the rise this year.
This story looks at who is most affected and what those risk factors actually are.
As Australia prepares for the government to finalise its gambling advertising restrictions, our friends at ABC RN have taken a look at what's happened in Belgium where bans have already been implemented. (Spoiler: It hasn't quite gone to plan!)
Belgium banned gambling ads through direct marketing, and on free-to-air television, radio and social media. But loopholes remained, e.g. companies can still sponsor teams, so their logos appear on jerseys and in stadiums.
The laws are tightening next year to restrict that, but an advisor to the government in the lead-up to restrictions told us it shows how weaknesses will be exploited, and that's something you can expect to happen here too.
In fact, you can bet on it.
See you next week
As always, you can see our full list of top stories below and catch the latest news on our website.
Before I go — comedian Hamish Blake revealed he got some of the best advice of his life from which famous figure? Test yourself in our weekly new quiz.
Catch you on Monday!
Maddy and the ABC News team
