Morning everyone. Australia’s online safety watchdog says big tech companies are not doing enough to stop young people accessing “heinous” images as she announces new industry codes aimed at protecting children from inappropriate content.
Sussan Ley is struggling to contain the fallout from Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s comments about Indian migrants. And we look at Australians fixated on the soaring price of gold.
Plus: the Guardian’s UK team has a fascinating investigation into Boris Johnson’s post-office business ventures.
Australia
Photograph: James Ross/AAP
Crime ‘cancer’ | Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, has promised to fight against the “cancer of youth gang crime” after the families of two South Sudanese children allegedly murdered in Melbourne’s outer west said they were “shattered” and the community “terrified”.
‘Heinous abuse’ | Australia’s eSafety commissioner says none of the big technology companies are doing enough to stop images of “the most heinous abuse to children” from being shared online. It comes as codes designed to prevent under-18s from accessing “lawful but awful” content have been announced.
Liberal strife | As Sussan Ley tries to contain the fallout from Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s comments about Indian migrants, our political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy says the Liberal leader faces “a long and difficult task” to rebuild trust with the diaspora and perhaps an even harder job to prevent Price speaking out again.
Finn warning | China and Russia are increasingly working “in tandem” to disrupt and interfere in free societies, and undermine faith in governance, Finland’s political state secretary for foreign affairs and defence has told us as he begins a visit to Australia.
Lehrmann suit | The embattled former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has lodged legal action against the head of a corruption watchdog and a federal minister despite being on the brink of bankruptcy.
World
Composite: Getty Images/Guardian Design
Exclusive | A trove of leaked data from Boris Johnson’s private office reveals how the former British prime minister has been profiting from contacts and influence he gained in office in a possible breach of ethics and lobbying rules. These include seeking business with Saudi officials, being paid £240,00 for a meeting with the president of Venezuela, and dining with a Tory peer who paid for a refit of his Downing Street flat during lockdown.
Hanks attacked | Donald Trump has launched a vitriolic attack against Tom Hanks for supposedly being “destructive” and “woke” after the actor was snubbed by West Point. Meanwhile Democrats on the House oversight committee have released a scanned copy of a “birthday note” that Trump allegedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein.
Bayrou falls | The ousted French prime minister Francois Bayrou will submit his resignation to president Emmanuel Macron after losing a confidence vote. Parliament is likely to remain divided and deadlocked no matter who Macron chooses as Bayrou’s successor.
Jerusalem attack | Palestinian attackers opened fire at a crowded bus stop in the northern outskirts of Jerusalem, killing six people and injuring 12 others, Israeli officials have said.
Bansky bash | A painting by Banksy of a judge using a gavel to beat a helpless protester has appeared on the walls of the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Full Story
Composite: Joel Carrett/EPA
Nino Bucci on the sentencing of Erin Patterson
Justice and courts reporter Nino Bucci tells Nour Haydar how Justice Christopher Beale arrived at his decision and how Patterson reacted when she learned her fate.
Full StoryNino Bucci on the sentencing of Erin Patterson
Sorry your browser does not support audio – but you can download here and listen $https://audio.guim.co.uk/2025/09/08-17477-FS_SENTENCING.mp3
In-depth
Photograph: Brent Shannon
Gold has nearly doubled in value since early 2023, prompting many Australians to sell jewellery and coins. Victorian prospector Brent Shannon says the bush is awash with detectorists hoping for a lucky find, but he think people should hang on to their assets for now as global financial uncertainty pushes the price higher.
Not the news
Photograph: Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis/Getty Images
Dacre Montgomery rocketed to fame in Stranger Things but the Australian admits his new celebrity “scared the shit out of me”. Having avoided many subsequent roles, he tells Jared Richards why a part in New Zealand-set drama Went Up the Hill was a perfect way to make his return.
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Sport
Photograph: David W Černý/Reuters
Athletics | The emergence of Gout Gout has supercharged Australian interest in the World Athletics Championships, which get under way this week in Tokyo.
AFL | Hawthorn have the momentum going into their do-or-die clash with Adelaide on Friday, with the minor premiers suddenly under pressure.
Formula One | Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have said that protecting their teammates was central to McLaren’s use of team orders at the Italian Grand Prix where they were instructed to switch places.
Cricket | Brendon McCullum has ramped up the Ashes hype by describing England’s pursuit of the urn they last won a decade ago – and have brought back from Australia just once since 1986-87 – as “the biggest series of all of our lives”.
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has blocked the release of documents underpinning her plan to legislate a right to work from home, according to the Australian. One in 10 high school pupils in New South Wales are suspended from class, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Phil Gould will remain at in power at the title-chasing Canterbury Bulldogs for another seven years, the Daily Telegraph reports.
What’s happening today
Adelaide | Public hearing at Seacliff into the algal blooms on the South Australia coast.
Brisbane | Environment minister Murray Watt addresses the Smart Energy Council conference.
Orange | Wiradjuri elder challenging trespass charge over refusal to leave Charles Sturt University on the grounds that sovereignty was never ceded.
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