What next for Fatima Payman; big gains for French far-right; schools in ‘disgraceful’ disrepair

Good morning. The WA senator Fatima Payman has given voice to many who condemn the Gaza crisis but it appears her career as a Labor politician is all but over after she vowed to cross the floor again. We take a look at her indefinite suspension from the caucus and what options remain as she eyes the future.

There are calls for the Albanese government to restart infrastructure funding for public schools as data reveals facilities are in rapid decline and “disgraceful” disrepair with problems such as black mould, holes in walls and broken air conditioning.

And early estimates have put the far-right National Rally in the lead in the first round of France’s high-stakes election.

New laws are coming into effect today as Australia becomes the first country to ban the sale of vapes outside pharmacies. The domestic manufacture, supply, commercial possession and advertisement of disposable and non-therapeutic vapes are banned under the reforms, meaning vapes will only be available behind the counter at a pharmacy. E-cigarette packaging and flavours will also be tightly restricted – and until October adults will need to get a prescription from their GP to buy a therapeutic vape.

If you own or rent one of the many homes across Australia built 30 years ago or more, the words “coldest start to winter” can be especially depressing. Older dwellings are leaky, rely heavily on heating and cooling, and emit more carbon than modern homes. This exacerbates health problems, spikes bills and notches up emissions. But retrofitting for better energy efficiency often doesn’t require dramatic change. We look at simple steps that can make the world of difference.

An underground inferno is pumping out huge clouds of black smoke at the Grosvenor coalmine in Queensland, reports ABC News. The Minns government says it will deliver 250 social and affordable homes at the Carriageworks precinct, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. A failure to foresee the runaway pace of population growth in Melbourne’s outer west has left a local council hundreds of millions of dollars short, reports the Age.

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