Politics

Afternoon Update: why police whistleblower broke ranks; Trump backs Epstein files release; and our annual summer gift guide

Guardian Australia has launched a major investigation into police and coronial handling of domestic homicides

Afternoon Update: why police whistleblower broke ranks; Trump backs Epstein files release; and our annual summer gift guide

Good afternoon.
This morning Guardian Australia launched a major investigation, two years in the making, into police and coronial handling of domestic homicide.
Earlier today we revealed that potentially critical mistakes were made in the murders of Hannah Clarke and her three children. Now, you can read about the two women who made that investigation possible and why they decided to break ranks.
Kate Pausina, a former senior detective with Queensland police, alleges she was ordered while working on a different case to protect the organisation’s reputation “at all costs”; and an anonymous whistleblower from within the Queensland coronial system claims she was warned she would be “pulverised” if she ever spoke out.
Top news

Trump tells Republicans to vote to release Epstein files, saying ‘we have nothing to hide’
Moderates rally around Sussan Ley as Liberal leader says she has been underestimated for much of her life
Paige Greco, Australian Paralympic gold medallist, dies aged 28
Dugald Saunders steps down as NSW Nationals leader with speculation the Liberals’ Mark Speakman could follow
More than 70 ACT public schools closed over health fears from asbestos-contaminated children’s play sand
‘Courageous’ Mary Fowler praised for revealing mental health struggles

In pictures
A lighter moment from the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine features in our photo editors’ selection of the weekend’s best shots from around the world.
What they said …
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“The memory was never properly transferred, or at least institutionally transferred, to the younger generation.” – Nathanael Gratias Sumaktoyo, assistant professor of political science at the National University of Singapore
Most Gen Zs – born after 1997 – weren’t alive when late Indonesian strongman leader Suharto was ousted. So while some have seen the recent decision to name him a national hero as “blatant whitewashing”, many others have responded with indifference and even nostalgia.
Full Story
Broken Trust: how police failed Hannah Clarke and her children
Today we launch a Full Story special, as part of the Broken Trust investigation, which looks at the national crisis of domestic violence in Australia. In this series, Queensland correspondent Ben Smee uncovers evidence and allegations of serious police failures in several cases involving intimate partner violence, including the murder of Hannah Clarke and her children.
Listen to episode one in your Full Story podcast feed today, and look out for episode two tomorrow.

Before bed browse
We’ve spent the year seeking out delicious, delightful, thoughtful and – critically – affordable presents. There are 55 ideas here under $55 that work for family, friends and obligatory recipients like your kids’ educators or office secret Santas. Search by what you want (from edible to wearable gifts) or by who it’s for (classy, grumpy, sporty … or boring).
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: ANTE. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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