Morning Mail: PIs used in family violence cases, Republican dismay after debate, Clover Moore rejects ‘ageism’

Martin Farrer
<span>Jack and Jennifer Edwards were killed by their father, John Edwards, who had used a private investigator to follow their mother, Olga.</span><span>Photograph: SUPPLIED/PR IMAGE</span>
Jack and Jennifer Edwards were killed by their father, John Edwards, who had used a private investigator to follow their mother, Olga.Photograph: SUPPLIED/PR IMAGE

Morning everyone. In our top story today we ask why John Edwards, who killed his two children in 2018, was able to hire private investigators, despite his long history of domestic violence.

Plus: a new survey shows nearly half of young people gambled in the past year, what to make of Elle Macpherson and the wellness industry, and we have reports and analysis on the fallout from the US presidential debate.

Australia

  • Clover in? | Clover Moore says ageism and sexism are at play as she seeks a record sixth term as the lord mayor of Sydney after the “most desperate” campaign she has experienced in decades of public life.

  • Doxing bill | The Albanese government is introducing a new bill to outlaw online doxing – the malicious use or exposure of personal data – with the offence punishable by up to seven years. But Labor has backed down on its proposal to outlaw hate speech and vilification against minority groups.

  • Gambling | About a third of young adults who gambled in the last year started punting before the age of 18, a new survey shows, and those who started young experienced greater harms from gambling as an adult. It also shows almost half of 16- to 35-year-olds had a bet in the past year.

  • Melbourne clashes | While violent clashes between anti-war activists and police raged outside, the scene inside Melbourne’s weapons expo was much more serene, writes Nino Bucci.

  • Education | All high school students in New South Wales will be studying Aboriginal people’s experiences of colonisation by 2027, including the Frontier Wars and the concept of terra nullius, under the state’s reformed syllabuses.

World

Full Story

Elle Macpherson, misinformation and making sense of the wellness industry

Our medical editor, Melissa Davey, speaks to Nour Haydar about the controversy over Elle Macpherson’s cancer treatment and how to make sense of the claims and products pushed by the wellness industry.

In-depth

John Edwards (pictured inset), who murdered his two children in 2018, had a long history of family violence. He also had a habit of using private investigators – an under-scrutinised industry with few obligations to screen clients for AVOs or family violence risks. A number of firms are even selling spyware specifically marketed to catch “cheating spouses”, and a report from the NSW Crime Commission found some may be “wilfully blind to their client’s criminal involvement and intentions”. Ariel Bogle takes a look at the risks, and why there are calls for regulation of the industry to change.

Not the news

We spend roughly a third of our lives sleeping and yet a lot of us still don’t know how to do it right, according to Madeleine Aggeler. She offers 10 tips on how to get a better night’s shuteye, including not eating or working in bed, winding down properly with a book or such before hitting the hay, and trying not to worry too much about not being able to sleep.

The world of sport

  • Cricket | Travis Head top scored with 59 as Australia set England 180 to win the first T20 in Southampton this morning. In reply the hosts got into trouble early. Check out the score at our live blog.

  • Football | Graham Arnold says the draw against Indonesia was “not a disaster” but failing to beat either them or Bahrain leaves the Socceroos boss – and the wider Australian game – with a lot of thinking to do.

  • Paris Olympics | The Australian hockey player Tom Craig has been banned for 12 months, with six months suspended, after he was arrested in Paris for buying cocaine during the Games.

Media roundup

The Herald Sun reports on what it calls the “moment Melbourne CBD became like a war zone” when anti-war protesters clashed with police. Labor faces a strong challenge from independents as it tries to hang on to power in Newcastle, the Herald reports. Work has started on “massive” changes to transform Brisbane airport, the Courier Mail says, offering a “first look” at what it might look like.

What’s happening today

  • Canberra | Trade minister Don Farrell to address the China Business Council.

  • Western Australia | Trial in Broome for man accused of assaulting three Indigenous children with cable ties.

  • Arts | The winners of the prime minister’s literary awards will be announced at the National Library of Australia.

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Brain teaser

And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.

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