Your morning Briefing: States climb an $180bn debt mountain

Your 2-minute digest of today’s top stories and must-reads.

Hello readers. State debt is exploding by more than $100bn, and Sam Kerr fires for the Matildas.

SA Treasurer Rob Lucas hands down his 2019/20 Budget papers at Parliament House in Adelaide, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AAP Image/Kelly Barnes) NO ARCHIVING

$180bn debt mountain

Debt across the states will explode by more than $100bn, as governments boost spending on infrastructure and public servants.

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Albo can’t afford to lose

The labour movement cannot be held hostage by a rogue union boss who has contempt for the law, writes Troy Bramston. Meanwhile, the CFMEU in WA has joined the union’s NSW and Victorian branches to back John Setka, increasing pressure on national officials.

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Rearview shot of a group of young students embracing on graduation day

Aussie unis among best

The majority of Australian unis rose in the global top 50 ranking — except one which slid five spots.

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Australia's Sam Kerr, top left, jumps for the ball with Jamaica's Khadija Shaw, center, during the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Jamaica and Australia at Stade des Alpes stadium in Grenoble, France, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Kerr’s quadruple

Striker Sam Kerr nets the first hat trick from an Australian at a World Cup as the Matildas book place in round-of-16.

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Kudelka’s view

Jon Kudelka Letters Cartoon for 19-06-2019.Version: Letters Cartoon (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.