Morning Mail: Bernardi split and Abbott feud, Q&A recap, chief scientist likens Trump to Stalin

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Tuesday 7 February 2017 g Chief scientist compares Trump to Stalin on climate censorship Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Among the stories leading our website this morning: Australia's chief scientist, Alan Finkel, has slammed Donald Trump's attempt to censor environmental data, saying the US president's behaviour was comparable to the manipulation of science by the Soviet Union. "The Trump administration has mandated that scientific data published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency from last week going forward has to undergo review by political appointees before that data can be published on the EPA website or elsewhere. It defies logic. It will almost certainly cause long-term harm. It's reminiscent of the censorship exerted by political officers in the old Soviet Union." Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Cory Bernardi's planned exit from Liberal party revives feud with Tony Abbott Former prime minister denies leaking against colleagues as poll shows Coalition losing support to One Nation Q&A: refugees put a human face on debate over Trump's travel ban Return of ABC's panel show is dominated by discussion of Australia's resettlement deal with the US and Trump administration's climate change policy Donald Trump should not be allowed to speak in UK parliament, says Speaker Government sources describe John Bercow's comments about US president as 'hugely political and out of line' Joost van der Westhuizen, South Africa rugby great, dies aged 45 Joost van der Westhuizen, the former South Africa rugby World Cup winner has died aged 45 LNP's tougher bail proposal 'already available' for Gold Coast murder accused Police document suggests David Bradford could have been placed in a show cause position when he applied for bail Australian news and politics Peter Dutton calls Cory Bernardi's defection a 'betrayal' – politics live The conservative Liberal is leaving the party in a move that will blow a hole in the Coalition agenda on the first day of parliament Elijah Doughty's alleged killer wants trial heard in home town The man allegedly ran down the 14-year-old in his ute as the Indigenous teenager teen rode a stolen motorcycle Tanya Plibersek demands Coalition reveal post-2018 schools funding proposal Education minister Simon Birmingham has said federal schools funding will increase to $20bn in 2020 while most states have cut their budgets Wrestling DVD playing during fatal South Australian crash, court told Driver Mitchell Deane Franklin was distracted by DVD when he smashed into the back of Harvie Spencer's car, killing the 86-year-old, court alleges Centrelink staff to strike over debt scandal, budget cuts and pay Union says problems 'far deeper' than welfare agency's controversial automated debt recovery system Victims say Catholic church data on child abuse underestimates scale of offending Broken Rites and Care Leavers Australasia Network say true scale of sexual abuse is likely beyond that in damning statistics Catholic church told of 4,444 abuse claims in 35 years, says royal commission – video Royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse hears that 4,444 allegations related to more than 1,000 separate institutions Around the world François Fillon admits error but refuses to quit French presidential race Rightwinger insists taxpayer-funded jobs he gave to his family were real and not illegal but apologises for employing them May refuses Netanyahu's call to impose new sanctions on Iran The prime minister of Israel called on all 'reasonable countries' to follow Trump's lead after Iran carried out missile tests Trump tries to salvage travel ban amid numerous legal briefs to block it More than 100 tech companies and various former top officials ask courts to strike down ban as Trump also faces fight over Besty DeVos's nomination Furious Trump says judge who defied him has put US 'in peril' Despite rebukes over criticism of judge, president sends angry tweets about suspension of order on refugees and travel from Muslim-majority countries Israel likely to pass bill retroactively legalising Jewish settlements Benjamin Netanyahu appears to signal support ahead of vote on Monday despite international opposition to proposals

One last thing 'Wanna pet my roo?': Yellow Tail's Super Bowl ad 'humiliates' Australia The wine brand Yellow Tail has been accused of embarrassing Australia on the international stage with its Super Bowl advertisement featuring a DJ kangaroo, a 'fun guy' in a yellow suit and Ellie Gonsalves in a white bikini.But it wasn't the only ad in the Super Bowl. Here are some more:• Super Bowl commercials: best and worst of 2017• Super Bowl ads trolling Trump: 'The world is more beautiful the more you accept'• Super Bowl ad prompts Trump supporters to #BoycottBudweiser• Super Bowl ads: a guide to new TV and film trailers Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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