Lobby groups tell Victorian inquiry legitimate churches could be caught up in any proposed crackdown on coercive practices * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Two Christian lobby groups have pushed back against any new laws to protect vulnerable people from cults, with a Victorian inquiry told of a “palpable fear” they could affect mainstream churches. The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) and Freedom for Faith were among witnesses to appear before the parliamentary inquiry into cults and organised fringe groups on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Labor backbencher is calling for drastic intervention to secure supplies for the east coast * Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The Labor backbencher Ed Husic is demanding an intervention to combat Japanese gas companies re-selling Australian exports to other markets, breaking ranks from the government and risking diplomatic blowback from Tokyo. The former industry minister said the government must send a “powerful signal” to overseas multinationals, in particular in Japan, to stop “playing us off as mugs” by profiting off the resale of Australian gas while households and industry on the east coast face high prices and potential supply shortages. Continue reading...

The European Parliament has voted to ban meat-related terms like “burger” and “sausage” for plant-based products, prompting backlash from consumer and environmental groups.

Executives at the startup notified talent agencies and studios over the last week.