Latest comment and opinion
The young white male has lost his advantage
Paul Sheehan 10:11 PM Their once dominant position is being eroded incrementally, in measurable ways, with each passing year.
Malcolm and Lucy: Two for one?
John Warhurst 7:47 PM One fascinating aspect of federal politics next year will be how much more of a public figure Lucy Turnbull, wife of the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, becomes. She already has a prior public profile greater than any other prime ministerial partner, serving for a time as Lord Mayor of Sydney. Add to that she has just been appointed by the New South Wales state government to head a new Sydney metropolitan planning body, the Greater Sydney Commission.
We need to go back to basics
Ben Roediger 8:00 PM Australian scientists and engineers are among the most inventive and resourceful individuals on the planet. Any initiative that enables their ideas to see the light of day and be tested in the marketplace should be lauded for the forward-thinking policy it is.
Concerned aide moved Lewinsky to get her away from president
Sam Roberts 6:41 PM Evelyn Lieberman was the first woman to serve as a deputy chief of staff to a US president.
The Australian fair go is dead
Elizabeth Farrelly 6:38 PM Why are we OK with this? How did the fair go slip so seamlessly into tooth and claw? Or was it always thus?
Don't let competitive grandparenting spoil Christmas
Cari Rosen 5:51 PM Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year. And if you're a grandparent or an in-law, deciding who spends dinner where can easily spiral into a war of the (Cadbury's) Roses.
What does it mean to be educated?
Rosemary Follett 4:03 PM Education is about "expanding the mind", "discovery" and freeing the mind from the "tyrannies✓ of unexamined opinions, current fashion and inherited prejudices".
View from the Street: Who even needs stupid arts or dumb healthcare?
Andrew P Street 4:02 PM And we ask the question "Scott Morrison does know how to add up, right?" Your news of the day, reduced to a snarky rant.
"Something in me snapped": the silent fury women feel
Jill Stark 3:37 PM How are women meant to know the difference between the nice guy and the monster?
Revisiting Love Actually after midnight
Emma Freud 3:01 PM We got near-hysterical at the school Nativity scene, where our then seven-year-old daughter literally owned the non-speaking role of Second Lobster.
Don't forget children when talking about domestic violence
Kim Oates 2:51 PM Our awareness of the extent of domestic violence has been slow in coming. But we must remember children are victims too.
Cutting carbon may require downsizing our consumer appetites
Christopher Flavelle 1:40 PM Our love of big homes, big cars and long-distance travel may need to be curtailed if we're to meet the Paris targets.
The climate benefits of light rail
Will Steffen 11:34 AM Urban transport is one of the most important sectors for reducing emissions, and Canberra is at the forefront.
Don't put road blocks in the way of Uber drivers
David Rohrsheim 9:08 AM Ride sharing gives people a flexible way to earn extra income and they must be able to do so without excessive regulation.
Just let the kids be kids, will ya!
Alan Stokes 11:42 PM Charlie Brown's new film transports us back to a time when children were free to confront life for what it brings, rather than have it thrust down their throats to suit the corporate world, social media or parents who cannot envisage failure for their offspring.
We do have to speak frankly about Islam
Anthony Bergin We need to work with moderate Muslims to defeat jihadists – not alienate them.
The evolving heart of modern marriage
Ross Gittins I've never been impressed by those economists who think they can use their little pocket model of the economy to explain every aspect of life.
Medical career stymied by war, Latvian refugee wove a new life
Gunda Druva Latvian student Rasma Druva wanted to be a doctor, but her ambitions were shattered when she was sent to Germany for "work experience" by the occupying German forces.
The heart-rending morning I can never forget
Christoph Hensch 11:00 PM Aid workers put their life on the line for others, but then often suffer residual trauma.
Queensland finances decidedly not world class
Bill O'Chee 12:00 AM COMMENT: If you believe the Queensland government's own spin, everything it is involved with is world class - everything that is, except the finances.
View from the Street: Scott Morrison's budget-lite, or 'who's getting it in the neck?'
Andrew P Street And Tony Abbott is all sad in his feelings-place about people thinking his failure is somehow his fault. Your news of the day, reduced to a snarky rant.
Hillary: is she unbeatable?
Lesley Russell 10:45 PM Donald Trump's bid to secure the Republican presidential nomination has taken attention away from the other half of the political equation – the Democrats' candidates.
Assisted dying: Sorting the facts from the half-truths and the misleading statements
Ross Fitzgerald 10:45 PM These days it is increasingly difficult to have a reasoned and thorough public debate about government policy.
Budget update fails to map out a road to surplus
Ross Gittins There is nothing in the mid-year budget update to be alarmed about, but nor does it suggest Malcolm Turnbull will do any better than his predecessors at getting the budget back to surplus.
I didn’t give a stuff about exams, I just wanted babies
Jean Flynn They made me dux of year 12, but I wanted to go to uni to find a husband, not a career.
The tax increase imposed by stealth
Michael Potter Forget the GST - bracket creep is the tax increase we should be worried about.
Time doesn't heal wounds from Bush v Gore
Stephen Carter A victory that hinges on a recount will never satisfy both sides of the political divide.
A toothless treaty can't stop climate change
Leonid Bershidsky Our success in dealing with climate change depends on scientists and markets, not political leaders and diplomats.
