Morning Mail: Adani faces environmental fines, Dutton's powers 'unchecked, unjust', Abbott's whistles for 'western civilisation'

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Thursday 4 May 2017 g Adani faces fines up to $3.8m for environmental breaches Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Among the stories leading our website this morning: Adani faces a possible multimillion-dollar fine for environmental breaches over floodwaters released from its Queensland coal port after Cyclone Debbie, which contained more than eight times the level of sediment allowed from the Abbot Point terminal. Adani has rejected claims by conservationists that coal-laden water has contaminated the nearby Caley Valley wetlands and possibly coastal waters near the Great Barrier Reef marine park, but conservationists claim their visit with government scientists to the site last week showed it was "evident Adani had allowed coal to pollute the sensitive Caley Valley wetlands". The Queensland environment department took sand samples to see if coal was present, with test results expected from next Monday. Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Dutton's powers unchecked and unjust, former Liberal immigration minister says Ian Macphee calls for Peter Dutton's powers to be reined in and for bills to expand them further to be stopped 'At least I'm not outside': how the cost of housing exposes women to family violence In 2015-16, 106,000 people experiencing violence sought help from homelessness agencies, 38% of the total demand Australia's journalism is in mortal danger. Politicians should join the fight to save it Redundancies at Fairfax, hot on the heels of cuts at News Corp, are not just devastating for the journalists. They will hurt the communities they serve, too Steve Bannon's giant to-do list revealed in photo with rabbi Picture posted on Twitter by Israeli rabbi show the administration's wall-sized checklist of goals – but how much has been checked off? Tony Abbott: Liberals must resist 'cultural cowardice' and stand up for western values Former PM in speech to WA branch says the 'march of identity politics' has captured centre-left politics and conservatives must provide an alternative Australian news and politics Pauline Hanson, James Ashby and One Nation's turbulence over a small plane Whatever the Australian Electoral Commission ruling on the plane, it's unlikely to trigger anyone's downfall Tony Abbott says Gonski 2.0 needs to get through Liberal party room Greens and Labor indicate potential support for changes to school funding, but former PM says there will be vigorous internal debate first Immigration department says it spent $200,000 on border force guns Department tells Senate estimates it has bought 332 Glock pistols in the past three years – the vast majority last financial year Labor plans to triple cost of temporary work visas to ensure Australians are hired first Opposition says it would also introduce new visa to ensure highly skilled migrants are still attracted to Australia From Gillard to Gonski 2.0: the twists and turns of education funding explained How has the federal government changed its proposed funding of schools, and what is coming next? Is Gonski 2.0 skilful trickery or chance to get schools funding right? Expert panel responds Education experts react to the Coalition's proposed deal, with some convinced it would entrench inequality and others deeming it 'brave but the right call' Petition calling for Safe Schools replacement withdrawn after LGBTI backlash Organiser of open letter, which had been signed by Troye Sivan, Guy Pearce and Missy Higgins, apologises for offence Around the world Trump tells Abbas 'we will get it done' on Israel-Palestinian peace deal US president welcomes Palestinian leader to White House for meeting aimed at relaunching talks and achieving lasting pece Macron and Le Pen square up for French presidential debate Verbal battle royal expected but televised event may not be the 'decisive' moment being portrayed in the country's media 'Everything is in chaos': night of violence reveals depths of Venezuela crisis In the working-class neighbourhood of La Valle, residents are angry and afraid, and hostility towards Nicolas Maduro's government is unlikely to diminish soon Yemen hunger crisis leaves refugee chief 'shocked to the bones' Leading humanitarian official Jan Egeland condemns 'gigantic diplomatic failure' as funding shortfall threatens to make food aid unavailable to millions by July Authorities haven't found 'even a dollar' of El Chapo's $1bn drug fortune US authorities investigating jailed drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán have still not been able to trace a single trace of his ill-gotten gains

One last thing Brad Pitt speaks about his divorce from Angelina Jolie and his heavy drinkingBrad Pitt has opened up for the first time about his divorce from Angelina Jolie, admitting to heavy drinking and pot smoking and a lifetime of cutting himself off emotionally from others. The 53-year-old actor told GQ Style in an extensive interview released on Wednesday that he had quit drinking and was undergoing therapy. Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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