Comment

SMH Editorials

Barnaby Joyce wants more federal government functions moved to regional centres, like Armidale in his electorate.

Toss another pork barrel on the barbie

Ad hoc attempts from the top down to decentralise departmental functions are unlikely to succeed at any time, and especially when there is no co-ordinated approach including state and local governments.

Daddy, we still hardly know you

Sun-Herald editorial dinkus.

We all know about motherhood issues – motherhood being a proposition no one can oppose. But what about fatherhood? On this issue, it seems our society's views are more equivocal.

Tribal drums herald Giants v Swans clash

The Giants' Shane Mumford and the Swans' Kurt Tippett square off in the semi-final last September.

Tribalism is the foundation of AFL club loyalty in the southern states. Babies are born into their team's colours. The Swans and the Giants need that if they are to challenge the century-plus dominance of rugby league in Sydney.

Putting science at the centre of society

Chief scientist Alan Finkel says science once again seems under threat.

While there are concerns about the framing of the March for Science in Australia, the Herald hopes it will contribute to a strengthening of rationality and scientific expertise in public policy.

Targeted solutions needed for unaffordable housing

Home ownership is out of reach for increasing numbers of city dwellers.

The steps taken now should be closely tuned to fairness and equity, to help the people who'll have trouble buying a place of their own even if the median Sydney house price stalls at the current level of more than $1.1 million.

Trump strikes at Assad and Putin

Syrian President Bashar al Assad and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

Should these air-strikes lead Moscow to the negotiating table and force it to accept a solution for Syria without Bashar al Assad's involvement, then the US could claim a victory. However, last year Donald Trump warned that attacking Mr Assad risked starting "World War III" with Russia.