Morning Mail: Trump to give Congress speech, Asio given access to journalists' data, report into 18C race hate laws, US tourism's 'Trump slump'

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Wednesday 28 February 2017 g Mem Fox on being detained in US: 'In that moment I loathed America' Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Among the most read stories on our website this morning is an exclusive from celebrated Australian children's author Mem Fox, on being detained and aggressively questioned by US border control: "I heard things happening in that room, happening to other people, that made me ashamed to be human [..] I kept thinking that if this were happening to me, a person who is white, articulate, educated, and fluent in English, what on earth is happening to people who don't have my power? That's the heartbreak of it. Remember, I wasn't pulled out out because I'm some kind of revolutionary activist, but my God, I am now. I am on the front line. If we don't stand up and shout, good sense and good will not prevail, and my voice will be one of the loudest. I will not be quiet [..] I thought I was an activist before, but this has turned me into a revolutionary. I'm not letting it happen here." Read her comments in full. Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Wayne Swan: Labor must consider 'Buffett rule' as part of inequality agenda Exclusive: Former treasurer will say Trump victory shows party must be 'unrelenting in defending the economic interests of working people' Adele's first Australian show review – Perth succumbs to charm and glory 'I don't know if I'll ever tour again,' the star says – but for 48 hours she held a city in the palm of her hand US tourism experiences a 'Trump slump' Analysts estimate that President Trump has cost the US travel industry $185m in lost revenue, with significant drop in flight searches and bookings One Nation economic adviser brings free market and Trump tactics to party Darren Nelson, apparently a contradictory choice for the protectionist One Nation, could be a harbinger of greater far right influence Universities Australia chairman warns of public hostility to 'evidence and expertise' Barney Glover says public debate overrun by 'extremists and polemicists' and expertise needed to solve world's problems Australian news and politics Asio given access to journalists' phone and web records Spy agency head tells Senate hearing that 'small' number of journalist information warrants granted in first such admission Welfare crackdowns ineffective at generating Australian budget savings, says auditor Australian National Audit office finds that four of seven initiatives between 2012 and 2016 failed to make their savings target Liberal infighting begins after 18C report fails to suggest major changes to race hate laws Bipartisan report into Racial Discrimination Act stops short of making clear recommendations after committee members fail to reach consensus Report on free speech recommends fixing Racial Discrimination Act complaints process – as it happened Recommendations include providing more parliamentary oversight to the Human Rights Commission. As it happened Woman who killed son 'out of great love for him' to be released in months Judge accepts Kim Margaret Earle, 49, was of diminished responsibility when she killed her 18-year-old son in 2013 Man charged in NSW town of Young over alleged missile advice to Isis PM announces arrest of man later named as Haisem Zahab, who faces foreign incursion charges over alleged advice to Isis on 'high-tech weapons capability' George Christensen free to cross floor after resigning as National party whip Departure of outspoken backbencher raises concerns among government MPs that move could ultimately hasten Christensen's exit from the Coalition Around the world MEPs vote to lift Marine Le Pen's immunity over violent Isis images Committee waivers right, paving way for French prosecution of Front National leader after she tweeted pictures of killings French police officer accidentally fires gun during Hollande speech Official says two people injured by marksman during presidential address at opening of high-speed railway line NFL players claim London nightclub denied them entry for being 'too urban' NFL player Mark Ingram claims he and three of his New Orleans Saints team-mates were denied entry to a London nightclub on Monday evening for being 'too urban' Trump to detail 'promises made and promises kept' in speech to Congress Democrats issue 'prebuttal' saying president's actions will desert the working people he purports to favor as Trump prepares to lay out his economic vision Formal arrest of Die Welt journalist Deniz Yücel in Turkey condemned Opposition MPs and rights groups lambast court decision as German foreign ministry summons Turkish ambassador to Berlin

One last thing Disney's 'clean' Star Wars release could have a sting in the tale Many of George Lucas's additions to the special edition Star Wars trilogy were heinous. But those keen to see such tweaks reversed should be careful what they wish for. Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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