Students sit on the lawn near at the University of Sydney

01/05/2023

Student loan ‘scam’ targeted ‘poor kids’, Sudan fighting spreads, coronation oath row

Charlotte Graham-McLay

Good morning. Graduates say they’re still struggling to pay off debts racked up under Australia’s controversial 1990s student loan scheme. It was a “scam” by the government that targeted “poor kids”, one tells Guardian Australia. Now in their 40s and 50s, they’re being chased for money they borrowed under an initiative that urged low-income students to take out loans for their living costs – even though the federal government ditched the scheme two decades ago.

Meanwhile, fighting in Sudan spreads to the fragile Darfur region and Australians scramble to cover the basics as food prices rise again.

Australia

‘Educated and exploited’ | Nadia Sheriff’s $35,000 loan, which she took out as a student, has only reduced to $32,800 after 20 years.

Justice | Legal Aid lawyers were left in the dark about a damning government-held report which cast doubt on a tool used to lock up or control their clients on the basis that they might commit a future terrorist offence.

Grocery bills | “I mean it’s one banana. What could it cost? $10?” Not quite, but things still aren’t great: the cost of groceries increased by 8% year on year.

Infrastructure uncertainty | Hundreds of projects in Australia’s $120bn infrastructure investment program will be reviewed as the Albanese government accuses the Coalition of leaving them as “fiscal time bombs” in the budget.

Bird flu | Conservationists are warning Australia is poorly prepared for the potential arrival of a deadly form of avian influenza that’s killing birds and mammals abroad.

World

The market of El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, as fighting continues in Sudan between the forces of two rival generals

Sudan conflict | The UN refugee agency is “extremely concerned” about the effect of fighting that has spread to Sudan’s Darfur as evidence emerges of widespread destruction in the already “fragile” region.

‘They say I’m ancient’ | “I believe in the first amendment, not just because my good friend Jimmy Madison wrote it,” quipped Joe Biden in a speech at the White House correspondents’ dinner, at which he roasted himself for being 80.

Refugees | The first three months of 2023 were the deadliest for people trying to cross the central Mediterranean Sea since 2017, and Tunisia is running out of space to bury the dozens of refugees washing up every day on its shores.

King Charles | A British cabinet minister said he “hopes people do” swear a proposed oath to the king on the day of his coronation. Republicans described it as “an offensive and tone-deaf gesture that holds the people in contempt”.

Cancer | Doctors, scientists and researchers have built an artificial intelligence model that can accurately identify cancer in a development they say could speed up diagnosis of the disease and fast-track patients to treatment.

Full Story

A Labor MP on breaking ranks over jobseeker

Amid the cost-of-living crisis, a growing chorus of Labor MPs are calling for the government to raise the rate of jobseeker – now sitting at $50 a day. The south-west Sydney MP Michael Freelander tells Laura Murphy-Oates about the groundswell of support within Labor for raising the rate and why he believes change will occur within the year.

In-depth

A staff member works at a CSIRO vaccine lab in Melbourne

Only 86% of Australia’s science graduates in 2022 reported having found employment within four months of graduating – compared with pharmacy grads at 97%. Despite exhortations for young people to study natural and physical sciences, science and technology graduates fare only slightly better than “starving artists” when it comes to getting a job.

Not the news

The feeling that you’re not getting enough shut-eye is one that many … well, lose sleep over. Joel Snape has a few tips for good-quality Zs – including deep breathing and keeping a consistent routine, even at weekends.

The world of sport

A-League women | Sydney FC romped to the A-League women’s title with a grand final win over Western United.

Formula One | Sergio Pérez won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Premier League | Liverpool 4-3 against Tottenham; Newcastle 3-1 against Southampton; Bournemouth 4-1 against Leeds; Man City 2-1 against Fulham; Man United 1-0 against Aston Villa.

Media roundup

Military experts are urging the government to let foreigners fight for Australia to combat the ADF recruitment crisis, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Year 12 students who fail exams and assignments are still passing maths and English subjects, as state curriculum bodies push down pass marks to below 50%, according to the Australian. The Daily Telegraph says more than 80 underworld players have left Sydney as police turn up the heat on gang conflict.

What’s happening today

Voice to parliament | A select committee will begin its final round of public hearings in the parliamentary inquiry into the Indigenous voice referendum.

Tesla collision | A woman who says her Tesla was driving on autopilot when she hit a Melbourne nurse boarding a tram will appear in court today.

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Brain teaser

And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.

Quick crossword

Cryptic crossword