Afternoon Update: Labor and Greens do nature laws deal; Barnaby Joyce quits Nationals; and cricket’s real-life Field of Dreams

Good afternoon.
Anthony Albanese ended the parliamentary sitting year with a big win after securing a deal with the Greens to pass Labor’s overhaul to the federal environmental protection laws. Under the deal, Labor agreed to prevent the fast-tracking of coal and gas projects and subject native forest logging to national environment standards over 18 months.
Sussan Ley claimed the “dirty” deal on what she deemed a “bad bill” would drive up energy prices. Malcolm Turnbull used the unveiling of his official prime ministerial portrait as an opportunity to declare – with Ley in attendance – that “energy policy should be determined by engineering and economics, not ideology and idiocy”.
Top news

Environmental activist Ben Pennings declares ‘massive victory’ after Adani drops its years-long legal pursuit
Lilie James victim of ‘calculated premeditated killing’ by ex-boyfriend, coroner finds after inquest
New rules crack down on high risk loans as Australian property market heats up
Large bull shark kills woman and injures man in attack at NSW beach
Trump orders more troops to Washington DC after shooting of national guard members
Perth pitch not the problem for England in first Ashes Test as it receives highest ICC rating

In pictures
Cricket Willow is a “Field of Dreams-like shrine to the game”, writes Stuart Walmsley of the boutique oval and museum in Victoria’s Central Highlands. His photo essay uncovers its interconnected layers – from bat making to Swiss-Italian heritage and doll collecting.
What they said …
***
“So after 30 years with the National party, I am resigning from the party. And that leaves me with a heavy heart.” Barnaby Joyce
The former deputy prime minister has confirmed he is leaving the Nationals, saying he is “strongly considering” a move to One Nation. Watch his announcement speech here.
Full Story
Australia’s most notorious fugitive: where is Dezi Freeman?
Dezi Freeman remains missing three months after he allegedly shot and killed two police officers and wounded a third in Porepunkah. Justice and court reporter Nino Bucci tells Reged Ahmad about the unease felt by those living in the Victorian town, and police’s theories of where Freeman could be.
Listen to the episode here.

Before bed reading
Guardian Australia is running a poll in the new year to determine the ultimate before bed read – the best Australian children’s picture book of all time. Nominate your favourite here.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: MOB. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Afternoon Update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or start your day with a curated breakdown of the key stories you need to know with our Morning Mail newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland.