Refugee payout reflects government's guilt
The move is a concession that the treatment of asylum seekers in mandatory offshore detention is indefensible.
The Age Editorials
Bollards useful but attack risk will remain
While bollards are a necessary part of comprehensive security, they should not create a false sense of security.
Tax isn't our enemy but reform sorely needed
The Age is not accusing people of acting irrationally. We are saying taxation and other laws are leading to unfair outcomes and so are not in the public interest.
Fairness central to the new world order
The conventional political cleavage of ‘‘left’’ and ‘‘right’’ is obsolete, and those terms are all but meaningless.
Advance, Australia, but remember to be fair
The fundamental reason far fewer women than men are nominated for honours is that men continue to dominate positions of power throughout the nation.
The mob is revolting
The outcome does become confusing when the view of the majority is less than resounding.
Report paves way for end of climate plan war
Plan is politically palatable proxy for a carbon price – a clean energy target.
The bus route to a better urban future
We believe buses should be used to alleviate the lack of public transport servicing Melbourne's urban sprawl.
China must be clear on rules of the game
Mutual understanding and trust are crucial in forging an enduring bond between any two countries.
Sober, strong, united terror response needed
This is a time for sober consideration, for wisdom and resoluteness from lawmakers and community leaders.
History shows terrorism is destined to fail
At the international and national level, defeating terrorism requires strong, smart and proportionate security systems. At the community level, it requires confidence, steadfastness and rationality.
Reasons for optimism on Victorian economy
The state's economy is being underpinned by high levels of population growth. This is creating demand for goods and services, which in turn creates jobs.
PM wrong to lift Medicare levy on all
Adding a 0.5 percentage point margin to the Medicare levy on all levels of taxable income is regressive and based on an incorrect premise.
Planet will pay the price for Trump's climate move
Trump's decision is an extraordinary setback to global efforts to tackle climate change.
Citizenship test moves political, not practical
The Turnbull plan to ask aspiring citizens about forced marriages, genital mutilation and family violence is reminiscent of the old trick question, "When did you stop beating your wife?"
Trump yet to match rash talk with courage
It would be misguided to overreact to the US president's windy belligerence.
Court's shot a service to marriage equality push
The only thing that will happen when people in love are no longer denied their right to marry is people in love will get married.
We all need decent care when we are old
End-of-life care can be confronting and emotionally charged. But the pivotal person is the one commissioning and receiving the care; their voice must be determinant wherever reasonable.
The coral in the direct action coalmine
It's time the government listened to calls for a carbon pricing scheme.
Collapse a warning for struggling TAFE
The Andrews government should conduct an overarching review of the TAFE system in Victoria and needs to urgently sort out ministerial oversight for training and skills.