• COMMENT
• Amanda Vanstone

The election of independents and minor party candidates is taken as an indicator that the major parties are "on the nose". It's a mistake to look at this trend as merely a symptom of the major parties' current inability to connect with voters. It is that. But it's a lot more.

• Tim Dick

When so much of the Olympics show is about money, it's difficult to criticise those, such as Telstra, who skip the expensive razzmatazz.

• COMMENT
• Clem Bastow

There was something unpleasant about The Bachelor I couldn't place - until now.

• Peter O'Brien

To do a great right, do a little wrong. The Northern Territory government has already perpetrated a great wrong. 

• COMMENT
• Tanya Gadiel

Standing up for myself and other former Parramatta board members might not be popular. My efforts so far have been met with appalling vilification on social media.

A proposed use for redundant ticket machines

• 1 August

In his article ('Malcolm Turnbull in fear of his party is a bad omen", July 30-31) Peter Hartcher says: "Australia should nominate an Australian for a global competition and wish him (sic) luck."

The sky's the limit if the Democrat can shed her insider image and get supporters out to vote.

• Peter FitzSimons

The most touching thing at the well-organised Centenary Pozieres, which TFF attended, was the enduring bond between the Australians and the French who attended.

• COMMENT
• Mark Kenny

The unforeseen Northern Territory royal commission notwithstanding, Malcolm Turnbull's reform dance card is hardly full.

• COMMENT
• Peter Martin

Anyone who doubts that the Northern Territory is different should look at the number of police per 100,000 residents.

• Michael Short

There is now footage from inside Australia's offshore detention centres. It's as distressing as the NT images that triggered a royal commission.

How much the campaigns raise from the general public is in itself an expression of public opinion.

• COMMENT

Perhaps parents should consider installing an inwards facing Dash Cam in their teen's car as a condition of letting them drive so their every action - and that of their passengers - is recorded.

• COMMENT
• Julia Baird

What I was not expecting was that it would add a sweet new dimension to my relationship with my kids, especially my seven-year-old boy.

• COMMENT
• Elizabeth Farrelly

Among the 50-odd portraits in this year's Archibald, two are stand-out, although not in a good way. Both depict sitting politicians but together they reveal us, or what is embarrassingly close to becoming an Australian world-attitude: dominate, exploit, go. Eat, shoot, leave (the rubbish).

• COMMENT
• Garry Linnell

Surely assisted suicide heads the topics we should be debating given our ageing population and the increasing number of slow and lingering deaths that will result.

• COMMENT
• Jacqueline Maley

Is there anything better than a good downfall story? Harriet Wran's tale has it all – drugs, murder, mental illness and the essential binding ingredient of sex.

• COMMENT
• Jonathan Bradley

Rather than pine for someone warmer or more charismatic, the Clinton campaign has decided to be proud of the candidate it has.

• SATIRE
• Andrew P Street

Here's the official transcript of Thursday's cabinet meeting that was meant to decide if Australia would support Kevin Rudd's bid for the top UN job. Please burn after reading.