Opinion
Analysis
AFL 2024
‘It’s bigger than that’: The match the AFL wants to revive after a decade in the wilderness
The AFL is pushing to stage an Indigenous exhibition game on the eve of next season in a bid to address the decline in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander footballers playing the game.
- by Caroline Wilson
Latest
Opinion
Alcohol
This Mother’s Day, watch out for the dark side of ‘Mummy Wine Culture’
Here’s why we need to rethink our easy assumptions and our go-to celebrations as we recognise the women who keep it all together – at a cost.
- by Sarah Rusbatch
Opinion
The Fitz Files
Time for an Australian sporting superstar to be roasted
If it’s good enough for the great Tom Brady, it’s good enough for one of our own.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
Super Rugby
Rebels have handed RA an all-time hospital pass
Australian rugby has plenty of issues, but as the Rebels’ shambles shows, many have been self-inflicted.
- by Paul Cully
Opinion
Workplace culture
Many of us aren’t engaged at work. What’s so bad about that?
A significant number of the workforce have always seen work as a means to an end, rather than an end in and of itself.
- by Jim Bright
Opinion
Cash
Cash is dead. Why are we still pretending it isn’t?
Cash will be gone in just seven years time, but many of us are still trying to hold on to the past. It’s time we move forward and embrace it.
- by Bec Wilson
Opinion
Home loans
The five best quality home loans charging under 6 per cent
With rate cuts now not likely until next year, anyone who hasn’t already optimised their interest really ought to.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Opinion
Hiring
Should you hire for equity or for excellence?
Should the focus of recruitment be on ensuring fairness and inclusion, or on securing the highest level of individual talent? Is there a way to hire for both?
- by Lauren Anderson
Opinion
Federal budget
Chalmers has navigated a steady course. But can he nail a tricky landing?
Like a pilot negotiating fierce crosswinds, Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ dexterity will be judged on whether the economic landing is soft or hard.
- by Peter Hartcher
Analysis
UK politics
One more time, with feeling: The reinvention of David Cameron
The former British prime minister’s shock return to politics was cynically received by the public. Now he’s got less than a year to rewrite his legacy.
- by Rob Harris
Opinion
WordPlay
When it comes to names, does Elon Musk have the X-Factor?
The decision to ditch a brand name that has become part of the vernacular has sparked lively debate on a social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
- by David Astle
Opinion
AFL 2024
Latest allegations should spell the end of Tarryn Thomas’ career
If new allegations of harassment against former Kangaroo Tarryn Thomas are verified, his case to return to play AFL football must be ruled off for good.
- by Greg Baum
Analysis
US Votes 2024
‘It could boomerang’: Stormy Daniels testimony on sex, lies and money is risky for both sides
The porn actor’s account was explosive in her indignant delivery and in the details of a sexual encounter with Donald Trump that at times sounded non-consensual.
- by Shayna Jacobs, Perry Stein, Marianne LeVine and Devlin Barrett
Analysis
Population
Chalmers wakes the baby debate the country needs
Jim Chalmers is not planning a fertility police squad in next week’s budget, but his comments on the birth rate go to an issue the world needs to debate.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Donald Trump
Can Trump survive a Stormy sex scandal? Just ask Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton accustomed the American people to political scandal. Donald Trump may benefit from their consequent ambivalence to politicians behaving badly.
- by Nick Bryant
Opinion
NRL 2024
Why Wayne Bennett loves the game, but doesn’t chase the game
He’s into his fifth decade as an elite coach, but Wayne Bennett’s traits suit the way the modern game is played.
- by Roy Masters
Analysis
NRL 2024
‘You know I barrack for Queensland?’ How Roosters won race for Fifita
Fed up with waiting, Roosters supremo Nick Politis was contemplating pulling the four-year, $3.3 million offer on the table to David Fifita. Then his phone rang.
- by Michael Chammas
Opinion
Wall Street
Warren Buffett has a $285 billion problem
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has become too big, and it’s getting bigger by the day. It makes it a lot less exciting.
- by Justin Fox
Opinion
NRL 2024
‘It’s not personal’: V’landys dismisses talk of Gould fallout after NRL breach notice
But the ARL Commission chairman has promised greater scrutiny on club officials who slam the game in their media roles.
- by Andrew Webster
Opinion
Work therapy
I didn’t get a job because I’m Gen Z. Why did that happen?
It might seem like your potential employer was discriminating against your youth, but the truth is probably more complex.
- by Jonathan Rivett
Analysis
Workplace culture
Why open-plan offices are bad news for ADHD workers
Bright overhead lighting, noisy phone calls, unpredictable office temperature and smells from the kitchen are all triggers that can overload workers with ADHD.
- by Adam Mawardi
Opinion
GDP
The economy’s just the means to an end. So, are we getting our money’s worth?
Our materialism puts us on a “hedonic treadmill”. We think buying a bit more stuff will make us happier and, at first, it does. But pretty soon the thrill wears off.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
WA budget
WA is finding it hard to admit it has a spending problem
Most of WA’s increased spend is demand-driven thanks to roaring population growth placing pressure on housing, education and health budgets.
- by Hamish Hastie
Move over, Met Gala: Labor’s budget night bash the big ticket in town
Tickets to a Labor budget night fundraiser have sold out. The Liberals, meanwhile, can’t fill their tables.
- by Kishor Napier-Raman and Stephen Brook
Opinion
Domestic violence
Why you won’t find this woman’s name on the list of Australian victims of domestic violence murders
Her partner pleaded guilty to doing “an act as a result of which the life, health or safety” of his victim “was likely to be endangered”.
- by Gary Adshead
Opinion
Concussion crisis
Five ways to kick off the concussion debate without stopping the game
This problem is too complicated to reduce it to the kick-off debate.
- by Michael Morgan and Anthony Boyd
Opinion
Federal budget
If Chalmers gets the budget wrong, interest rate rises may kill his government
For Treasurer Jim Chalmers, this budget is existential. Bad decisions could increase unemployment or provoke more interest rate rises. Both would be political nails in the government’s coffin.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Mother's Day
By cancelling Mother’s Day, this school is so inclusive it excludes mums
Hunter Valley Grammar School has cancelled its Mother’s Day gift stall for children in K-6 and replaced it with a “Family Gift Stall”.
- by Brad Emery
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Biden had hoped to send a quiet message, then Israel leaked it
The US decision to pause the delivery of bombs represents a significant turning point in its relationship with Israel. But it may not necessarily be a breaking point.
- by Peter Baker
Opinion
Big four
CBA lowers the curtain on a profit season banks would rather forget
This season was not one that banks will be crowing about – all experienced a fall in profits and the themes were remarkably similar.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
When uni students endorse terror, it’s time for political intervention
The university protests in Australia arising from the Israel-Gaza conflict have moved beyond a debate about free speech.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
AFL 2024
Homophobic and dumb: Why the punishment is right for Powell’s slur
Gold Coast player’s language shows that changing behaviour takes both time and decisive action.
- by Peter Ryan
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Uni protests are messy, but they prove that campuses have come back to life
A sad legacy of lockdowns is that too many of us are unable to stop and listen to another side. But the noise of the encampments shows that campuses have come back to life.
- by Alexandra Wake
Opinion
Gadgets
Apple’s tone-deaf iPad ad triggers our darkest AI fears
Apple has made its worst marketing faux pas since it forced everyone to listen to U2.
- by Dave Lee
Opinion
Energy
It’s not easy being green for UK and European oil giants
The oil super majors are eyeing shifting their primary stock exchange listings to New York as a stronger push to reduce fossil fuels in their home markets weighs on their share prices.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The world’s turned a blind eye, but I’ve seen Gaza’s horrors
More than half a million children are sheltering in Rafah. Families I spoke to there as an Australian aid worker told me they were terrified, wondering how they will protect their kids.
- by Sacha Myers
Opinion
AFL 2024
Why AFL needs to embrace the coaching merry-go-round
In overseas sports, head coaches often transition swiftly between roles, quitting or being fired from one franchise to resurface as the head coach at another. The AFL’s landscape with more entrenched coaches underscores the need for more open minds on changing clubs.
- by Kane Cornes
Analysis
WA budget
$3.4 billion drip feed means no surprises expected in Saffioti’s first budget
This budget will be Treasurer Rita Saffioti’s first after she was elevated to the position in June last year following the retirement of former treasurer and premier Mark McGowan.
- by Hamish Hastie
Opinion
Concussion crisis
Why I will continue to argue for concussion victims – past and future
The column written by my colleague last week shocked me, but this issue is far bigger than a difference of opinion.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
NRL 2024
Why this is the most important three weeks of Nicho Hynes’ career
Over the next month, the Sharks have a golden chance to shake their tag as flat-track bullies – and their star man can prove he belongs at Origin level.
- by Andrew Johns
Analysis
AFL 2024
Courage, a near miss and a shoulder hanging by a thread: The 20-second passage of play that shook the MCG
We break down the key moments from a play Blues fans will never forget the last time their side took on the Demons at the mighty MCG.
- by Andrew Wu
Analysis
Tax deductions
Why sorting your tax early this year is more important than ever
You need to look for every tax deduction and defer any income you can, and take advice on your particular circumstances so you don’t overdo it.
- by Julia Hartman
Opinion
Political leadership
Albanese’s is an ‘experimental’ government – and it looks like the experiment is failing
It’s the first federal government I’ve seen that has sought to build most of its political and policy mandate after winning office rather than before it.
- by Shaun Carney
Opinion
Cars
COVID’s over, but used-car dealers still have Perth by the wheel nuts
During the pandemic new car supply dried up, borders slammed shut, driving in WA was our only holiday choice and dealers knew it. So how are things looking now?
- by Brendan Foster
Opinion
Sunday Life
Mums, learn to put yourself first for once in your life
“Motherhood is as easy as climbing Everest in high heels and hotpants, carrying a disco ball.”
- by Kathy Lette
Opinion
Parenting
How do you know if you were ‘raised right’? I’ve always felt like I’m missing something
To be brought up with money, power, beauty and status are advantages few of us are lucky to have. But to be “raised right” is a scarcer, more valuable privilege.
- by Wendy Syfret
The Scoop
AFL 2024
Roos unable to ‘meaningfully change’ Tarryn Thomas’ behaviour: CEO’s email to rival clubs
The midfielder completed four different behavioural programs before being sacked by North Melbourne once the league’s ban was announced.
- by Sam McClure
Opinion
Private schools
What are the consequences of being a ‘wifey’ or ‘unrapable’? I hope those girls never find out
When my own high school rating list came out, that ranking stayed with me forever. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
- by Katy Hall
Opinion
Mergers & acquisitions
‘A joke’: The $2.2b deal with no detail that has left investors fuming
Hostilities have broken out over wealth powerhouse Perpetual’s deal to sell two of its major divisions and brand to private equity giant KKR.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Analysis
China relations
PM’s rinse-and-repeat response to China jet incident will do little to deter aggression
How stable are relations with China if the People’s Liberation Army is regularly putting the lives of Australian military personnel at risk?
- by Matthew Knott