Good morning. It's Friday. Thomas Morgan here with your AM NewsMail.

As Australia's childcare sector faces tough questions over standards of care, the federal government is set to implement a national criminal history tracker for people working with children. But will states sign on?

But first, moderate Liberals on what the dumping of net zero means for their party's chances in inner city seats. Plus, we break down what Australia's first treaty with First Nations people means, meet the man spray-painting smileys all over Tasmania, and bring your the Friday quiz.

Liberals dump net zero: Can the Liberal Party sell its "compromise" on climate action? Insiders are mulling over that question after Sussan Ley's announcement yesterday, with some moderates quietly fearing electoral oblivion in metropolitan seats. Teal independents have seized at the news, labelling the Liberals a "party without conviction".

Policy questions: The opposition leader is promising her way will lead to lower power prices. Experts are challenging that stance . And the deteriorating viability of coal is just one of the factors at play.

Analysis with Michelle Grattan: The Liberals's net zero battle saw ideology triumph over pragmatism. But lessons from history should be a warning to the party — that such an ethos typically leads to ruin at the ballot box.

• Childcare in crisis: A national criminal history tracker for people with working with children checks is set to be established. Shocking allegations of abuse within the early childhood sector have prompted action a decade after a royal commission recommended such a system.
• Treaty explained: Victoria has signed Australia's first ever treaty with First Nations people. So what does that mean? Our Indigenous Affairs Team breaks down what treaties in other countries look like, and what Victoria's will do.
• 50-year mortgages: The US president has floated the idea of longer home loans as the solution to housing affordability. But can they work? In short, there are some drawbacks and obstacles in the way.

• Epstein latest: The convicted sex offender wrote in an email that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor had his photo taken with accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre. The former prince has long denied ever meeting her.
• Battle of the seasons: The chance of a rare November cyclone, supercell storms, even snow and frost — the weather forecast across Australia has it all. Our meteorologist Tom Saunders breaks down what's happening.
• Berry impact: Farmers say new pesticide regulations could see fewer blueberries harvested. The changes come after concerns about children being exposed to dimethoate, which is used to control fruit flies.

— That's George (not his real name), a Tasmanian graffiti artist who specialises in tagging various places around the state with smiley faces.

While not strictly legal, the little "hobs" have been popping up everywhere across the Apple Isle with some residents telling the ABC they're not opposed to "beautiful, happy faces" adding brightness to an "otherwise plain brick wall".

A new study out today suggests poodles have a much more prehistoric origin than previously thought.

Well, not specifically poodles. But scientists say their research suggests dog breeds began to emerge upwards of 10,000 years ago, pawing back on the commonly held belief that they're a development of just the past couple of centuries.

PLUS: It's that time of week again. Here's our Friday quiz to put your news-consuming noggin to the test.

And that's it for today! Thanks for reading. We'll be back at the same time on Monday with more. Have a great weekend!

Thomas and the ABC News Digital team.

While many Liberals who wanted to keep net zero say they are happy with the position the party has landed, some despondent moderates fear electoral oblivion in metropolitan seats.

The Liberal conservatives' success in forcing their party to dump its commitment to the net zero emissions reduction target has been a triumph of ideology over pragmatism.