Opinion
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
AFL reveals the start time of this year’s grand final
This year’s grand final will remain in its traditional Saturday afternoon time slot. The AFL Commission has signed off on league chief Andrew Dillon’s recommendation today.
- by Andrew Wu and Jon Pierik
Latest
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
A new leader, an assassination and the nuclear option: Why world is sweating on Iran
The new Iranian president had been in power for just 10 hours when a senior Hamas leader was killed on the country’s soil. The world has held its breath for retaliation since.
- by David E. Sanger and Farnaz Fassihi
Shortly after my divorce, I made an impulse purchase. It saved me
Every family needs something different to rebuild them after a marriage breakdown. We were rescued by a cat.
- by Kerri Sackville
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The threat of an all-out regional inferno hangs over the Middle East
Israel’s decision to kill a top leader of Hamas on Iranian soil poured petrol onto a bonfire. The ramifications could be far-reaching and painful for us all.
- by Amin Saikal
Opinion
Workplace culture
Four simple ways to make meetings more productive – and less painful
Meetings can sap the joy from our workdays and consume precious time that could be better spend on meaningful tasks. Here’s how to fix them.
- by Shadé Zahrai
Opinion
Olympics
Some of Paris Games commentary has been an Olympic fail
Much like the Olympic sports themselves, mastering the art of great commentary is not as simple as it seems.
- by Michelle Cazzulino
Opinion
Casinos
Reaching for the Star: Second inquiry on casino group fails to shock
Could it be that the casino regulator in NSW was a little trigger-happy when it ordered yet another inquiry into the Star’s suitability to hold a licence?
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Interest rates
Donald Trump is on a collision course with an old foe
Donald Trump tried to fire Jerome Powell during his presidency before discovering he didn’t have the authority. Now the Fed chairman is set to throw a spanner in the works heading into November’s election.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Kamala Harris’ superpower is bringing out the worst in Trump
Daring to question Kamala Harris’ black identity, Donald Trump is becoming more Trumpian – and playing into Democrats’ hands.
- by Nick Bryant
Webster in Paris
Paris 2024
Why Australian athletes should be the last to whinge about the Olympic Village
In the pursuit of making these Games as green as possible, Paris organisers have forgotten why we’re all here.
- by Andrew Webster
Opinion
AFL 2024
The Cats gave Tyson Stengle a chance – it might be the last one he gets
No one can argue with Tyson Stengle’s talent, but he has a history of making bad choices off the field or following poor influences. A long-term contract at his third club is unlikely to save his career if he makes another big mistake.
- by Kane Cornes
Opinion
Child abuse
Why hasn’t this abandoned WA ‘molestation sanctuary’ been bulldozed to the ground?
Festering in an unremarkable corner of the Great Southern historic town are rows of drab red brick buildings just waiting for someone to do the right thing and bulldoze the lot of them.
- by Gary Adshead
Analysis
Paris 2024
This was classic backs-to-the-wall Matildas – and that was the problem
An Olympic campaign sputtered to an end in Marseille as the Matildas succumbed 2-1 to the US, their forever nemesis. It was an unprepossessing way to go out.
- by Greg Baum
Opinion
NRL 2024
I thought the Broncos would win the title this year – but it all went to their heads
They almost had two hands on last year’s trophy, but this year the Broncos have been awful. Only two players can hold their heads high.
- by Andrew Johns
Opinion
Political leadership
Whatever his achievements as PM, another rate rise would just about bury Albanese
Anthony Albanese has been road testing his themes for the election. So has Peter Dutton, who says that the PM is a good bloke. But of course, there’s a catch.
- by Niki Savva
Opinion
Universities in crisis
Students are starving. One man could fix it with a keystroke
If you have any influence on the next generations, tell them not to do an arts degree – at least until the federal government fixes its fee problem.
- by Jenna Price
Opinion
Paris 2024
Why I still have faith that the Matildas can keep their Olympic dream alive
Australia is pretty quick to dump on an underperforming team, but there are two reasons why I think the Matildas can reach the knockout phase from here.
- by Elise Kellond-Knight
Opinion
Aviation
Why Rex must be saved from its egotistical self
Rex must become a public company. Not doing this and selling the remnants will mean even bigger monopolies.
- by Jeremy Burfoot
Analysis
Inflation
Why the price of your breakfast might point to the Reserve Bank’s next decision
Muesli and milk was becoming a luxury as inflation soared. But there are good signs the nation’s inflation pressures are finally starting to abate.
- by Shane Wright
Analysis
Paris 2024
Why the brain is just as important in gymnastics as physical strength
Gymnasts are known for their physical feats, but it’s their split-second decision-making that separates the medal winners from the ones going home empty-handed.
- by Tony Blazevich
Analysis
NRL 2024
Could Mitchell Moses be next? Why there may be more bad news for embattled Eels
Still reeling from the news that Blaize Talagi is on the move, Parramatta must now face the prospect of Mitchell Moses following suit.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Opinion
Psychology
We demand this attribute of our Olympians, yet it has become a dirty word
The world’s top athletes are desperately pursuing their best performance at the Paris Games. They know the tiniest slip can mean the difference between a place on the podium and a painful defeat. We shouldn’t be afraid of ambition.
- by Robert James Stove
Analysis
Paris 2024
The swimmer and her dodgy Quarter Pounder: Inside the latest Chinese doping scandal
It is hypocritical for anyone who welcomes Shayna Jack’s involvement in Paris to begrudge Tang Muhan’s participation.
- by Chip Le Grand
Opinion
National security
Neither Dutton nor Pezzullo convinced me to set up Home Affairs
I must correct my former colleague. I was persuaded to set up the Department of Home Affairs, in the end, by my own team.
- by Malcolm Turnbull
Opinion
Paris 2024
Fun and Games: Take a bow Paris, the opening ceremony … and Arnie
Paris has so far dished up a most-French start to an Olympic Games. And, I’ll tell a man, I’m here for it.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
Aviation
A hex on Rex: The real reason it has hit the decks
The chat in aviation circles is that the government is expected to take part-ownership of Rex conditional on the airline shrinking back to its regional roots.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Olympics
The Paris Olympics have been fine. Here’s how they could be improved
In the swimming, I’d like to see the inclusion of sharks.
- by Richard Glover
Opinion
Ask an expert
Does ATO need to know how I spend my pension?
While all regulated super funds have to report members’ pension payments to the ATO every three months, what happens when you manage your own super?
- by Noel Whittaker
Analysis
Financial planning
How to avoid the ‘oldest daughter’ effect when inheriting money
Women in Australia are increasingly being tasked with managing the finances not just for their immediate family, but also for their parents.
- by Grace Bacon
Analysis
US Votes 2024
Days away from a crucial decision: Who will Harris choose as her White House running mate?
Kamala Harris’ pick as her potential vice president has taken on greater significance since the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and could sway a close election.
- by Farrah Tomazin
Opinion
Aviation
Back to the future: What Rex needs to do to survive
Rex has become the latest to discover just how difficult, if not impossible, it is to crack the Qantas/Virgin duopoly. But all may not be lost.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Analysis
Collectables
Love it or loathe it, 1980s architecture is back in the frame
Whether it’s the return of big shoulder pads or the Memphis movement from the early 1980s, sometimes it’s difficult to pinpoint when and where there’s a shift in direction.
- by Stephen Crafti
Opinion
Investing
Why get-rich-quick schemes are doomed to disappoint
The boosts of dopamine, validation and adrenaline that come with short-lived wins can still leave you in a hole when it comes to securing your financial future.
- by Paridhi Jain
Opinion
National security
‘Judgment was sacrificed to ambition’: Malcolm Turnbull’s ASIO folly rightly reversed
Despite the warnings of Australia’s most senior national security professionals, Peter Dutton and Mike Pezzullo convinced Turnbull to act in error.
- by George Brandis
Opinion
Paris 2024
Global rugby loves this women’s team - all of Australia should too
The Australian women’s sevens team hasn’t just energised the fans at Stade de France this week - they have become the beacons of hope for Rugby Australia.
- by Alicia Lucas
Opinion
Aviation
Rex offered cheap and reliable flights. I knew it couldn’t last
If the government wants to do better for consumers in a cost-of-living crisis it should talk less and act more and embark on reform of the airline industry that allows competition to flourish.
- by David King
Opinion
Interest rates
The tale of Mrs Watanabe and two central banks
If the Bank of Japan ends up raising rates even as the US fed is contemplating a cut, it will unleash an unprecedented level of volatility in currency markets.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Analysis
Inflation
Why Wednesday’s inflation figures mean the RBA faces its toughest decision in a generation
Some economists believe the result of tomorrow’s consumer price index is all the RBA will need to push the official cash rate to a fresh 12-year high.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Veep is funny, but the danger of Trump no laughing matter
I wrote the sitcom Veep, and its fictional take on politics is no guide to the actual threat the US election outcome poses.
- by Armando Iannucci
Opinion
Autism
My surprising mid-life diagnosis makes me proud
Being told I was neurodivergent was like discovering you’ve been wearing a silly hat since the day you were born, though no one ever thought to mention it.
- by Mike Knapp
Opinion
Paris 2024
Believe the hype, Kookaburras can soar to gold
Good judges all agree that a medal is the bare minimum and gold is the true standard for the Australian men’s hockey team.
- by Jamie Dwyer
Analysis
Film & TV production
Could Deadpool & Wolverine have hit No.1 without an underage audience?
Deadpool & Wolverine has broken R-rated records box office records. But when it comes to R-ratings and movie tickets, almost anything goes.
- by Michael Idato
Analysis
AFL 2024
The race for the AFL top eight is looking for a premiership hero
The Western Bulldogs have injected a sense of energy into the finals contest which still has 12 teams jostling for position. Will your team make it?
- by Katie Bice
Opinion
AFL 2024
The harsh truth about the MCG and what it should do with its newfound wealth
Sporting bosses often have tricky problems to solve. Those running the MCG, however, have a delicious challenge to contemplate.
- by Andrew Jones
Opinion
Donald Trump
Trump’s deluded desire for a lower US dollar
Weakening the US dollar would inject massive uncertainty and volatility into the global economy and will be bad news for open economies like Australia’s.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Inside China
China has a solar problem that is not going away
China has come to dominate the global market for solar energy, but it’s a different story at home.
- by Keith Bradsher
Opinion
AFL 2024
Fremantle fight off Eagles to get closer to double chance finals
In a bruising, combative and highly entertaining Western Derby, it’s what the Dockers were eventually able to prove.
- by Paddy Sweeney
Opinion
Australia Day
Bigger and better than Australia Day, let’s have the Australia Long Weekend
It is for the Australian people, individually and collectively, to make the decision when and how we want to celebrate our nation. It is up to us to create our own history and help unite the nation.
- by Elizabeth Elliott, Geoff Cousins and Phil Jenkyn
Analysis
Paris 2024
The 10-minute game that helped Jess Fox calm her nerves before elusive gold
Having snuck through to the women’s kayak singles final, but not without some drama, Jess Fox needed to zone out and focus. So she opened her phone.
- by Rob Harris
Science of Sport
Paris 2024
Jess Fox and the almost impossible balance between speed and precision
Fox’s stunning success in the canoe slalom relies on a combination of supreme athleticism and an intricate understanding of fluid dynamics.
- by Tony Blazevich