Morning Mail: One Nation’s NDA for donors; Russell Brand found guilty; and how it all went wrong for David Jones

Good morning. It’s been revealed that One Nation is asking donors attending a $3,000-a-ticket Sydney fundraiser to agree to “non-disclosure agreements” in order to keep what is being discussed under wraps.

We hit the streets in Melbourne’s working-class western suburbs, where One Nation has been turning heads before Victoria’s election. And we look at what went wrong for David Jones as it enters administration.

Overseas, the actor and comedian Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault after a high-profile trial. And the finger-pointing continues for the Republicans after their disastrous US midterms results.

Australia

• Victorian election | High costs and unkept promises could flip Melbourne’s Labor heartland to One Nation. Some Labor voters are feeling abandoned – and wooed by Pauline Hanson’s party.

• ‘Worrying precedent’ | One Nation is attempting to gag donors from ever revealing details of discussions at an invite-only $3,000-a-ticket fundraiser with the party’s senior leaders in Sydney.

• Analysis | Australians are yet to see the benefits of AI and datacentres – but the US midterms show how they could be political kryptonite. Anthony Albanese should tread carefully, Josh Butler writes.

• Stalking case | A 40-year-old woman accused of stalking and attempting to extort Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has been ordered to stay away from him after being granted bail by a Western Australian court.

• Beau Lamarre-Condon | The former police officer admitted to going through Jesse Baird’s phone and pouring water into his fuel tank, as he gave evidence in his double-murder trial.

World

• US midterms | The Democrats have flipped four more House seats; Republicans hoping to succeed Donald Trump in 2028 have dissected the reasons for their midterm rout; and progressives have hailed “blue wave” victories as top Democrats push for unity. And Rebecca Shaw writes that seeing Trump lose so spectacularly is powerful schadenfreude for millions across the globe.

• Pathway to power | Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, will meet with Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival, Gadi Eisenkot, to decide which of the two men should first try to form a government.

• Guilty verdict | Actor and comedian Russell Brand has been found guilty of raping a woman and sexually assaulting three others. “Justice has been served” for Brand’s victims, the senior crown prosecutor has said. And flashbulbs, lies and victim blaming: how Russell Brand’s trial unfolded.

• Flight disruptions | A new wave of hoax bomb threats has caused further diversions and emergency landings for flights across Europe, raising hybrid war fears. What do we know so far?

• Thomas Markle Jr | The Duchess of Sussex’s half-brother has been named as a “person of interest” in the Philippine authorities’ inquiry into child sexual abuse image allegations made against her father.

• Arms deal | Russia has arranged to supply Iran with 90 launchers for advanced guided missiles, according to leaked documents revealing the depth of military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

Full Story

Alan Jones on trial: The journalist who broke the story speaks | Week 13

When the investigative reporter who broke the allegations against Alan Jones took the witness stand, the courtroom gallery was packed. Under cross-examination over interview recordings, headline phrases and text messages with police, what did Kate McClymont’s evidence reveal about how the story unfolded? Amanda Meade joins Nour Haydar to unpack McClymont’s testimony.

In-depth

David Jones – the arbiter of Australian taste – abandoned prestige for expansion, Jonathan Barrett writes. But now it has collapsed into administration after falling behind on rent, and emergency talks with lenders and landlords have unravelled. Some 6,000 staff across 38 stores have been left fearing job cuts as “difficult decisions” loom. Can the 188-year-old retail institution keep the lights on for Christmas?

Not the news

On Saturday New Zealand gets to decide which Chris (Luxon or Hipkins) will rule them all. From gangs, gaffes and minor parties set to be kingmaker: here’s why columnist Clarke Gayford is glued to the 2026 New Zealand election.

Sport

• AFLW | Lulu Pullar, the AFLW player who juggles life as a doctor and charity founder, says “finals is my least busy time of year”.

• Rugby union | The Wallabies’ pay dispute with Rugby Australia has overshadowed the Nations Championship finale, Jack Snape writes; Tom Curry is a major injury doubt for England with twin Ben poised to step up against Australia.

• Football | Cristiano Ronaldo has called time on his Portugal career after 234 caps and 146 goals. Ronaldo is the latest example of a great player who couldn’t let go, Jonathan Wilson writes. Plus: follow today’s Europa League action.

• Tennis | The WTA has issued an apology after a hot mic captured Jessica Pegula’s “diva” remarks about Mirra Andreeva.

• Golf | LIV Golf is to liquidate after a last-ditch financing rescue deal fell apart.

• AFL | Sydney Swans are engaging external advisers to review their embattled club’s culture.

Genomic profiling is offering hope to cancer patients as extra funding has been secured for thousands of Australians, ABC reports. Pressure is mounting on Canberra to stop petrol and diesel refined from Russian crude oil in third countries from entering Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. China Southern Airlines has axed its Darwin-Guangzhou direct service after failing to fill enough seats to make it viable, the NT News reports.

What’s happening today

• Business | Qantas and Coles are holding their annual general meetings.

• NSW | A public hearing is scheduled in the NSW parliamentary inquiry into emerging combat sports.

• ABS | The Australian Bureau of Statistics is set to release its yearly statistics about births and fertility rates.

• NSW | The trial of broadcaster Alan Jones continues in Sydney.

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