Afternoon Update: betting giants deny drug and sex worker allegations at inquiry; Alan Jones trial continues; and going down with the ship

Want to get this in your inbox every weekday? Sign up for the Afternoon Update here, and start your day with our Morning Mail newsletter.Good afternoon. The parliamentary inquiry into Labor’s gambling legislation heard extraordinary testimony yesterday from anti-gambling campaigners Tim Costello and Luke Bateman, who alleged that problem gamblers had been supplied with cocaine, alcohol and sex workers. Giving evidence today, betting giants Sportsbet and Tabcorp said there is no evidence to substantiate the allegations.Later in the hearing, the independent senator David Pocock asked the industry’s lobby group, Responsible Wagering Australia, about one betting platform’s promotion which featured children. Pocock claimed the gambling industry always blamed others for children’s exposure to gambling ads, and said: “This is exactly why Australians are sick and tired of the BS you try and tell us.”Alan Jones paid student athlete he is accused of indecently assaulting $110,000 over a decade, trial hearsPublic urged to avoid hospital unless ‘life might be in danger’ after record day for Sydney emergency departmentsWhat Ben Carroll’s cabinet cuts say about his ‘new direction’ for VictoriaAustralian swimmer Isaac Cooper leaves leadership role after drinking sessionUS states sue Trump administration over new tariffs on 60 trading partners including Australia Continue reading...