Opinion
Analysis
Federal
It hasn't been pretty, but this is a workable compromise on an ugly issue
A majority of members of Parliament have supported an outcome most Australians could live with.
- by David Wroe
Latest
Analysis
Federal
How the first day of the political year threatened to end the Morrison government
When Speaker Tony Smith finished reading the legal advice he had received, MPs held their collective breath.
- by Tony Wright
Opinion
Cricket
Big crash league?
The Big Bash League's numbers have plateaued, which means much hangs on the finals series starting on Thursday night.
- by Greg Baum
Opinion
Asia
Hakeem al-Araibi: international pressure forced Bahrain to blink
International scrutiny forced the despotic regime to back down, as they could not act with impunity.
- by Sayed Alwadaei
National
In dismissing his sister's ambitions, the Thai king shows where his loyalty is
Thailand thunderstruck as king's big sister stands, albeit briefly, in opposition.
- by Peter Hartcher
National
Australian stories must be told by us
We should be deeply concerned by the University of Melbourne’s decision to change the MUP publishing strategy
- by Barnaby Joyce
Opinion
Companies
If JB Hi-Fi is the best in breed how will other retailers fare?
If JB Hi-Fi is the canary in the coal mine for investors trying to gauge the damage of a slow Christmas, the result would have provided some comfort - but only at first glance.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Banking & finance
How removing two letters could have hurt financial system
Kenneth Hayne was urged to make a small change to the wording of a law that could have damaged the financial system. Thankfully he declined.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
National
We can balance compassion and safety as a country
Amendments do not contradict the government's stated policy on offshore detention.
- by Kon Karapanagiotidis and Jana Favero
Opinion
National
It's not me, it's you: my Valentine no more
The early years were truly exciting. I was so proud to show you off to friends and family, but you have taken me for granted.
- by Meena Evers
Letters
NSW
Pyne’s complaints about political culture a bit rich
Christopher Pyne is just as guilty of destabilising politics as the rest of the Coalition hard-right.
Opinion
National
Our social security system hurts women with young children
ParentsNext: If you want to continue getting your payments, you better turn up to your kids' swimming lessons.
- by Jenna Price
Life & relationships
Do popular kids peak too soon?
'The assumption that popular kids are, by definition, mean failures-in-waiting strikes me as, well, mean.'
- by Kasey Edwards
Opinion
NSW
In the Herald: February 12, 1929
Europe suffers cold, alleged slander, noisy motor boats.
- by Jacqui Martinez
Analysis
National
Bahrain blinks, but Hakeem al-Araibi should have never faced this ordeal
What began as a honeymoon turned into a two-month nightmare, but at last his ordeal is over.
- by Michael Ruffles
Analysis
Soccer
FFA finds new ways to shoot itself in the foot
The dispute over Alen Stajic's sacking is about the Matildas - but it is also, in many ways, a metaphor for the way the FFA so often misjudges situations.
- by Michael Lynch
Opinion
Federal
Scott Morrison's booklet reveals recipe for a pumped-up scare campaign
The PM consults his new booklet on safety and security and discovers the recipe for an election scare campaign.
- by Tony Wright
Analysis
AFL
Shallow and deep pools: AFLW's problem
The women's competition is staring down a problem of its own making.
- by Daniel Cherny
Analysis
Asia
As millions of Indians take a dip, Modi chases their votes
The Kumbh Mela festival is the biggest gathering of humanity on the planet. This year, it also coincides with India's national elections.
- by Jeffrey Gettleman and Hari Kumar
Opinion
Technology
Google bets billions on future beyond advertising
Waymo driverless cars and other schemes are burning cash, but the web giant can afford it.
- by Margi Murphy
Opinion
The economy
The eurozone hell that haunts Brussels
The eurozone is an unsustainable construct - just one bad election, one geopolitical event, one sovereign downgrade, one eurozone bond crisis away from a "hell" of its own.
- by Liam Halligan
Analysis
Technology
What Spotify's big podcast purchases mean for the future of the medium
The purchase of Gimlet and Anchor will make Spotify the first true competitor to Apple in the podcast space.
- by Peter Wells
Opinion
South America
Why South America is the battlefield in a new cold war
The political crisis in Venezuela shows that Latin America has again become an arena in which rival powers struggle for influence and advantage.
- by Hal Brands
Opinion
Life & relationships
There's a difference between helicopter parenting and plain old love
'We want the same as all good parents ever – simply for our kids to be secure and safe.'
- by Wendy Tuohy
Opinion
NSW
Baird a ludicrous choice to ‘restore confidence’
The present NSW government’s ineptitude, arrogance, lack of consultation, and dishonesty is a continuation of his policies and his methods.
Opinion
National
Tim Wilson should quit or be dumped
The pre-eminent principle that positions of public office are positions of public trust has been trashed by Mr Wilson’s misuse of a key parliamentary committee to pursue a political agenda.
Opinion
Banking & finance
Politicians and economists will determine whether bank misbehaviour stops
In the wake of the Hayne report on financial misconduct, many are asking whether the banks have really learned their lesson, whether their culture will change and how long it will take. Sorry, that’s just the smaller half of the problem.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
National
Writing proper English: let's call it an act of resistance
Rule one: some rules should be broken. An English style guru has some tips for today's writers.
- by Benjamin Dreyer
Opinion
Companies
'It is understood': How oblique sourcing is hurting Australian media
As the media confronts another critical juncture, and with trust in the press still low, it is time for a new approach.
- by John McDuling
Opinion
Climate change
Coal miners derided climate action 'sideshow'. Now it's the main event
A court ruling blocking a proposed mine in NSW will have ramifications across Australia and possibly the world as nations confront global warming.
- by David Morris and Brendan Dobbie
Opinion
Life & relationships
Terrorism is rare, but intimate partner violence is an everyday event
'Public violence is taken far more seriously than private violence.'
- by Jane Gilmore
Opinion
NSW
In the Herald: February 11, 1949
Cat headed fish brings £25, fumbling the power problem, horror films parent’s responsibility.
- by Jacqui Martinez
Opinion
Federal
Franking credits policy is coming back to bite Labor
Whatever its merits, Labor’s attempt to put an end to a tax giveaway to people who have paid little or no tax in the first place is turning into a political liability.
- by Tony Walker
Opinion
National
The crucial first question for the new chair of the ABC
There will be one question that will stand out for its potential impact on not just quality broadcasting but confidence in our public institutions: is the ABC biased?
- by David Alexander
Opinion
Rugby Union
Why England's deal with the devil will cripple World Cup chances
The England team that demolished Ireland is not going to show up to a semi-final against the All Blacks. It will have been smashed to pieces by then.
- by Mark Reason
Analysis
Asia
Thailand puzzles over political surprises from royals
It was widely assumed that Ubolratana Mahidol, thought to be close to her brother King Maha Vajiralongkorn, had at least received his approval for her action.
- by Grant Peck
Opinion
National
'Staggering': Cash incentives improve kids' learning, research shows
Cash rewards can vastly improve kids' learning, but only under the right circumstances, writes Richard Holden
- by Richard Holden
Opinion
National
Why Warringah should send me back to Canberra
Only a die-hard Labor voter would want to deprive the Liberal Party of an effective political warrior.
- by Tony Abbott
Opinion
Federal
The caretaker government where little care is being taken
No one in Morrison's government thinks they can win the election. Sometimes fatalism can be freeing
- by Jacqueline Maley
Analysis
National
Venal power of political donations and poker machines
Tasmanians did not find out until this month just how much money from pokies flowed into the state election campaign.
- by Nick O'Malley
NSW
'Barren and bleak building site': Is North Sydney at risk of overdevelopment?
A group of north shore residents opposed to the construction of a tower over a new metro station have earned a sharp rebuke from North Sydney mayor Jilly Gibson.
- by Andrew Taylor
letters
NSW
Extreme summer heat proof of climate change
Despite the report about how fortunate NSW has been to dodge the worst fire weather this summer, reading the latest monthly report shows that what we are experiencing is worse than dire.
Analysis
NSW
In the battle for the bush, the Liberals are scared
After eight years in government, the Liberals are suddenly warning of the dangers of voting for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers.
- by Alexandra Smith
Opinion
National
Clive Palmer just texted to say: 'You love me'
The would-be political force is back at it, sending unwanted texts to voters.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
National
Jolly tick-tock of Canberra’s Paradise Clock
Readers, for you what is the time, now, on the Canberra Paradise Clock?
- by Ian Warden
Opinion
National
Why being an Australian citizen doesn’t mean others will believe you truly belong
The popular and cultural definition of who is authentically Australian remains, for the most part, a white European one.
- by Tim Soutphommasane
Opinion
The economy
Storm-o-nomics: Why Australia should be more prepared for extreme weather
We need to prepare for more frequent, and more intense, extreme weather events.
- by Matt Wade
Opinion
Federal
Negative gearing changes will affect us all, mostly for the better
Despite all the talk about negatively geared nurses and property baron police officers, 90 per cent of taxpayers do not use negative gearing.
- by Danielle Wood