‘Cruel joke’ of school tax perk, Trump praises Nato, Abbott spruiks Advance bequests | The Guardian

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A general photo of Geelong Grammar school

26/06/2025

‘Cruel joke’ of school tax perk, Trump praises Nato, Abbott spruiks Advance bequests

Martin Farrer

Morning everyone. We’re reporting on calls for the Albanese government to end tax breaks for private school donations and a huge survey on teenagers and social media. Meanwhile, Tony Abbott is spruiking a drive to encourage people to bequeath money to the rightwing lobby group Advance in order to “protect the values and country that we cherish for the next generation”. Overseas, Hamas has killed seven Israeli troops and Donald “Daddy” Trump praises Nato.

Australia

The peak body for independent schools says criticism of donations incentives is overblown and that tax-deductibility is ‘essential’ to build campus infrastructure.

‘Cruel joke’ | The Albanese government has been urged to end an “outrageous” and “cruel joke” that incentivises donations to Australia’s richest private schools in return for a tax deduction. In 2023, $106m was donated to 60 schools.

‘Freedom fight’ | Advance will court donations from deceased estates with the blessing of longtime supporter Tony Abbott as part of its latest fundraising efforts. The rightwing lobby group says bequests will help fight for “freedom, prosperity and security”.

ABC ‘panic’ | Four of the key ABC figures involved in the decision to take Antoinette Lattouf off air have since left – but their “panic” has been examined by justice Darryl Rangiah’s forensic 185-page judgment on her unlawful termination case. Away from the bureaucratic machinations, Lattouf’s post-case speech suggested the issue came down to being able to talk about the suffering of the people of Gaza.

Breaking ranks | The Labor MP Ed Husic yesterday suggested the Israeli strikes on Iran that sparked the latest Middle East conflict were not justified, breaking ranks from his senior colleagues to criticise the Netanyahu government.

Levy call | The New South Wales opposition will call for cuts to levies that add to the cost of building homes in the state and likely propose changing government fees to try to improve the viability of major residential projects.

World

NATO Summit - Day 2epa12197014 A handout photo made available by the Presidential Press Service of Ukraine shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and US President Donald J. Trump (R) attending a meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, 25 June 2025. The Netherlands, for the first time in NATO’s history of existence, is hosting a NATO summit. EPA/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

‘Daddy’ Donald | Donald Trump praised Nato countries for being willing to lift defence spending to 5% in his first public remarks at the military alliance’s annual summit in The Hague. The mood shift was helped by the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, defending to Trump over his four-letter outburst the day before, saying “Daddy has to sometimes use strong language”. Trump also made more positive noises about support for Ukraine after meeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Hamas attack | Seven Israeli soldiers have been killed in a Hamas attack in the southern Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said, after militants planted a bomb in their vehicle. A Palestinian surgeon has described how his 16-year-old nephew was killed at a food point in Gaza, leaving his body mutilated as health officials said Israeli attacks have killed 74 people in the Palestinian territory over the past 24 hours.

Iran doubts | Trump and his defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, have admitted to some doubt over the scale of the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear sites by the US bombing at the weekend. An independent assessment will be harder after Iran’s parliament agreed to suspend all cooperation with the UN nuclear inspectorate.

Kenya clashes | At least 16 people have been killed and 400 injured in Kenya as a nationwide demonstration to honour those killed during last year’s anti-government protests turned chaotic, with police clashing with protesters.

Grand theft | A huge theft of cable near Lille has caused severe disruptions on Eurostar services between France and the UK, with passengers advised to cancel or delay their trips.

Full Story

A Palestinian flag is seen behind Antoinette Lattouf as she speaks tot he media during a doorstop at the Federal Court of Australia, Sydney

Antoinette Lattouf wins against the ABC

Our media correspondent, Amanda Meade, and senior reporter Kate Lyons talk to Matilda Boseley about the Antoinette Lattouf verdict means for her, the ABC and the Australian media.

In-depth

Smartphone bansFile photo dated 03/01/18 of social media apps displayed on a mobile phone screen. Smartphone bans have little or no impact on education, online bullying and wellbeing among students, according to a study by Dublin City University (DCU). Last week, new national guidance was issued to schools on restricting mobile phone use. However, researchers from DCU’s Anti-Bullying Centre found that the stricter the phone ban, the more students look for ways to subvert it. Issue date: Wednesday June 18, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Australian teenagers who spend between one and three hours on social media a day report similar or better mental health outcomes compared with those on for less time, a new survey shows. It’s perhaps a slightly counterintuitive finding and contrasts with a column today by Van Badham, who describes mobile phones as “handheld doom machines”. She argues they are causing young people to invent what she feels is a misplaced nostalgia for the 90s.

Not the news

The comic Dan Rath is this week’s provider of the 10 funniest things he has ever seen on the internet, and clips of standups from Zach Galifianakis to Joan Rivers, and Damien Power to Robby Hoffman provide some light relief today.

Sport

CRICKET-AUS-WIS-1ST-TESTBeau Webster of Australia bowled by Shamar Joseph of West Indies during the 1st day of the 1st Test match between West Indies and Australia at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 25, 2025. (Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Cricket | Australia’s new-look top order has been blown away by the West Indies pace attack as they slumped to 180 all out on the first day of the first Test in Barbados. The England and Wales Cricket Board has joined forces with the Board of Control for Cricket in India to try to thwart a new global Twenty20 league backed by Saudi Arabia.

Tennis | The 19-year-old Maya Joint fought off a strong comeback by home favourite Emma Radacanu to claim a 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory and move into the quarter-finals at Eastbourne.

Rugby union |