Morning Mail: Super for housing 'embarrassing', Erdogan claims Turkey victory, North Korea tensions, Abbott welcomes axing of Safe Schools in NSW

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Monday 17 April 2017 g 'Embarrassing free-for-all' Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Among the stories leading our website this morning: Former Labor MP and economics professor Dr Craig Emerson has heavily criticised the Turnbull government's economic credentials, saying he can't believe some senior ministers now believe young people should be allowed to access their super to buy their first home. "There's basic laws of economics about supply and demand, [and] the problem is that demand is outstripping supply," he said on Sunday. "And what do these people want to do? Increase demand. I mean, you wouldn't read about it really." With senior government ministers openly arguing for and against the proposal, former federal Liberal leader and economics professor John Hewson described it as an "embarrassing free-for-all", saying the government "should know better than to argue for an increase in demand when the problem is excess demand, I mean you're just compounding the problem". Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Turkey referendum: Erdoğan wins vote amid dispute over ballots – live updates Turks narrowly vote in favour of president's plan for sweeping constitutional changes, but opposition parties cry foul Great Barrier Reef tourism: caught between commerce and conservation alarm More people than ever are coming to see the reef and those who make a living showing it off want the world to know it's still a natural wonder. But they worry about its future, and that of their 64,000-strong industry US officials warn tensions with North Korea are 'coming to a head' US national security adviser pushes for peaceful resolution after country's failed missile test, as Donald Trump hopes for Chinese intervention Australia's housing market and the great intergenerational tax rort Soaring house prices are driving young people to borrow ever greater sums of money, which is transferred straight to older people UK attorney general in bid to block case against Tony Blair over Iraq war Jeremy Wright QC argues crime of aggression does not exist in English law, even though his predecessor reportedly claimed otherwise Australian news and politics The great divide: what will $1m buy you in Australia's property market? From inner-city apartments to suburban cottages or a few acres in the rainforest, the answer depends on where you're buying Coalition's housing affordability push defies economic sense, former MPs say Craig Emerson attacks idea of letting young people access superannuation as John Hewson gives Matt Canavan a 'fail' mark NSW police announce first bomb amnesty – but just don't bring them in Police seek to cut volume of dangerous explosives by giving six-month legal immunity to those who call them in Tony Abbott welcomes axing of Safe Schools anti-bullying program in NSW Labor leader Bill Shorten says program had been used as a 'political football by conservative critics' Churches demand Manus Island asylum seekers be evacuated Advocates want those detained brought to Australia after violent clashes alleged between asylum seekers and naval personnel on Friday evening 'The only way we can send a message is the hunger strike' – The Messenger podcast After months of interviews, Aziz finally sits facing an immigration officer and an interpreter, about to find out whether he's been granted refugee status. But he's too angry to talk about that. What he'd rather know is why he's just spent weeks locked in a jail cell in Lorengau, before being abruptly released without charge. In this episode Aziz talks about the hunger strike that lead to his imprisonment, and why he continues to pursue big and small acts of resistance – despite the consequences Queensland environment minister defends toxic foam leak health advice Advice not to fish or eat seafood from area affected by Monday night spill not released until Friday Around the world Erdoğan clinches victory in Turkish constitutional referendum Electoral board says Turkey has backed constitutional amendments, but opposition parties say they will contest some of the results 22,000 years of history evaporates after freezer failure melts Arctic ice cores Around 13% of cache of ice cylinders extracted from glaciers in Canadian Arctic exposed to high heat in new storage facility at University of Alberta 'Sixty-eight children among dead' of suicide bombing attack in Syria Blast targeted convoy transporting evacuees from Fuaa and Kafraya under deal between Assad regime and rebels Hassan Rouhani faces tough re-election race as candidate list closes Iran's moderate president will have to see off various heavyweight conservative critics of his nuclear deal with the west United Airlines changes crew flight policy after forcible removal fiasco Airline says it will ensure off-duty crew are allocated seats an hour in advance to avoid customers being turfed off flights

One last thing Terry Jones: 'I've got dementia. My frontal lobe has absconded' "Towards the end of our interview, Jones reaches out to grasp Palin's hand, giving it a good squeeze. The pair hold hands for a couple of minutes, a gesture that perfectly reflects their 50 years of friendship – and its importance in sustaining Jones through his tribulations." The Monty Python star talks about learning to live with his illness Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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