Morning Mail: Centrelink debt exclusive, News Corp sacks most subs and photographers, reef loss could cost $1tn globally

View in browser

Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Wednesday 12 April 2017 g News Corp to sack most of photographers and subeditors Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Among the stories leading our website this morning: Rupert Murdoch's Australian tabloids are making the majority of their photographers and subeditors redundant in a radical cost-cutting move designed to keep the ailing newspaper business afloat. The Daily Telegraph, the Herald Sun and the Courier-Mail are set to lose dozens of staff each – the Queensland masthead alone will cut 45 – although the company is not revealing the total number of job losses. As many as 40 jobs are expected to go from the Herald Sun, where staff were told News Corp "is in a fight for its life". The Australian appears to be immune from this round. The news comes after Fairfax announced last week that it was cutting $30m from the company's annual editorial budget. Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Almost half of all Centrelink robo-debt notices sent to private debt collectors Exclusive: New figures show referral of debts to private collectors has soared from 12.5% to 43% since controversial automated system began Loss of coral reefs caused by rising sea temperatures could cost $1tn globally Loss of Great Barrier Reef alone could cost north Queensland 1m visitors a year, imperilling 10,000 jobs and draining $1bn from economy Sean Spicer faces backlash after claim: 'Even Hitler didn't use chemical weapons' Lawmakers condemn press secretary, who sought to clarify comparison to Assad, saying Nazi leader who gassed millions did not target 'own people' Borussia Dortmund explosions: police find letter claiming responsibility for attack – live updates Borussia Dortmund's Champions League match with Monaco has been postponed after their team bus was hit be three explosions? Paul Doyle has the latest Australia needs courageous leaders to create prosperity, economist says Chris Richardson outlines three scenarios for country's future: 'You can fight uncertainty with better information' Australian news and politics Australian governments have failed Indigenous peoples, says Oxfam Report calls for reestablishment of a national elected representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Run-off pollution from Cyclone Debbie flooding sweeps into Great Barrier Reef Damage comes after many coral reefs in Whitsundays were pummelled and broken by extreme weather event Grassroots Greens launch calls for party to look beyond wealthy city voters Australian Greens should stop 'being careful' and broaden appeal by pursuing more radical progressive economic policy, according to new group Russell Street bomber challenges legal change that denies him parole Craig Minogue would have been eligible for parole last year, 30 years into his life sentence for a fatal bombing of police station in Melbourne Voters aren't buying the Coalition's business-as-usual approach – and anger is radioactive A government too busy gazing at its own reflection has left the market to run the show – but trickle-down economics is failing Australians Officer sorry for putting eight-year-old Indigenous boy into police van to teach him a lesson Remote sergeant Marcus Lees called to a school on 24 March after a row between the boy and another student escalated Centrelink robo-debt 'abject failure' and arguably unlawful, Victoria Legal Aid says Scathing assessment comes as system again put under the microscope, this time by external auditors PwC Australia Around the world Putin hardens Moscow's support of Syria regime before Tillerson visit Russian president claims Assad's opponents intend to carry out false-flag chemical attacks to justify more US strikes Borussia Dortmund's team bus hit by explosions before Monaco tie Borussia Dortmund's game against Monaco has been suspended until Wednesday after their team bus was involved in an explosion ahead of their Champions League quarter-final tie, with defender Marc Bartra reported to have been taken to hospital Hundreds of refugees missing after Dunkirk camp fire About 900 people in temporary accommodation but 600 still unaccounted for, including unaccompanied children United Airlines CEO calls dragged passenger 'disruptive and belligerent' Oscar Munoz defends staff in letter over man forcibly removed from overbooked plane saying they followed procedures Developing nations' demands for better life must be met, says World Bank head Jim Yong Kim says there is greater risk of war, terrorism and increased migration if aspirations of poorer countries are not met

One last thing Easter egg taste test: raiding the nest to crack Australia's best Australia's favourite Easter eggs go shell-to-shell on looks, taste and value – but there is one clear winner. As you can see, it was very serious judging business, meaning we ate all the chocolate so you don't have to. Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

Guardian News & Media Limited - a member of Guardian Media Group PLC. Registered Office: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9GU. Registered in England No. 908396