Turnbull's phoney war with a rabble and a zombie
Paul Sheehan 9:00 PM Rather than convert his sweet spot into political gold with an early election, Malcolm Turnbull is likely to try to charm the Senate rabble and milk the zombie status of Bill Shorten.
Latest Comment
An easy fix for a stupid Sydney problem
Tim Dick 9:10 PM The plan to reform an array of tiny fiefdoms into more sensible councils is the best thing to happen to local government since wheelie bins.
An Indigenous achievement to shout about
Jakelin Troy 9:11 PM It's a decisive moment in our nation's story – but don't be surprised if you didn't hear about it.
Stoner Sloth misses target in war on drugs
Benjamin Veness 9:11 PM All and sundry decried the idiocy of the campaign, rather than its anti-marijuana message being embraced and shared.
Education delivers a lesson in market failure
9:00 PM For reasons that have little to do with the noble goals of education, and a lot to do with filthy lucre and the chance to get rich quick, vocational education has become the fastest growing industry in the land.
DECEMBER 21
Letters to the Editor
9:00 PM The Baird government's forced amalgamation of councils is a win only for the state government and for businesses who prefer to deal with a lesser number of entities.
Column 8
9:00 PM "I'm not sure if George Richards would impress his neighbours by displaying his empty bottles," writes Craig Leonard, of Unanderra (Column 8, Friday). "Doesn't everyone on the upper North Shore drink Veuve Clicquot?"
Hark the diversity
Josephine Tovey Anyone who's tasted Starbucks' coffee might have thought it was an abomination, but this festive season, the coffee chain found itself at the centre of an actual religious dispute.
Bully shaming is coming to a site near you
Wendy Squires The actions of Overweight Haters Ltd in London have inspired other self-adoring narcissists around the world, but some of their "victims" are now pushing back.
Rates review offers relief to pensioners
Kirsty Needham The quarter-acre block has gone grey. So George Gergely, 91, doesn't see why pensioners should pay twice the council rates that flashy young apartment owners do.
In praise of useless presents
Gareth Hutchens An abundance of Christmas gifts shows international relations are positive and resources are being diverted to peaceful pastimes.
Lazarus sisters rise again
Charles Waterstreet The Independent Commission Against Corruption has lost much of its swagger.
Entrenched anti-vaccination views difficult
12:05 AM The risk the unvaccinated pose to the community is real but so is the risk of unintended consequences.
DECEMBER 20
Letters to the Editor
The continuing racist/non-racist action that continues to simmer under police escort is damaging not only to 'the Shire' by association, but to all Australians.
Previously in Comment
Highlights
The Australian fair go is dead
Elizabeth Farrelly: Why are we OK with this? How did the fair go slip so seamlessly into tooth and claw? Or was it always thus?
Captain's speech doesn't represent the Ravenswood I know
Throughout my time at Ravenswood, I experienced an environment that encouraged hard work, equality of standing, humility, and gratitude – virtues that I believe are the very foundation of the school itself.
Where to now for a newly unseated PM
Peter Hartcher: The government may have moved on, but Tony Abbott is still adjusting to his new reality and coming to grips with life beyond the prime ministership.
Big karma hits big pharma
Paul Sheehan: When a venture capitalist bought the rights to a drug and increased its price by 5500 per cent, there was widespread outrage. Now comes corporate revenge against corporate evil.
Islamic State thrives as big boys squabble
Waleed Aly: Force will not wipe out Islamic State because it is a byproduct of a much bigger conflict that needs to be resolved first.
Why Turnbull will be our longest-serving PM
Elizabeth Farrelly: It is a relief to have a leader who uses intelligence to connect with us.
The only thing worse than having your family murdered
When Ann O'Neill woke up in hospital after her estranged husband had shot her and killed their two children, she wasn't prepared for the public response.
A photo diary of France's week of terror
For photographer Andrew Meares, a dinner in Berlin turned into a week of terror after attacks ripped through the heart of Paris.
Why I won't be changing my Facebook profile
I am a self-confessed Francophile. I speak French; have a degree in French; in my 20s I did the obligatory year as an au pair, in Limoges, working for the family of a famous French porcelain house.
Turning hateful tweets into a force for good
Susan Carland: Bombarded with hateful tweets from trolls, it was only natural that my response would be rooted in the fact that I am Muslim.
