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Editorial
Euthanasia

Now is not the time to alter Victoria's assisted dying laws

Without further examination of how the laws are working in practice, it would be unwise to begin unpicking legislation that was carefully and sensitively framed over several years.

  • The Age's View

Latest

Ashleigh Barty
Opinion
Australian Open

Back off the Barty bandwagon: Enjoy the ride, temper the expectations

The young Australian is doing a mighty job. Let's not cash the cheques before they are written.

  • by Greg Baum
Thousands of kilograms of carrots and sweet potato were delivered to endangered brush-tailed rock wallabies in NSW during the bushfire crisis,
Opinion
Biodiversity

A long history of failing our endangered species

In the wake of the bushfire crisis, fully implementing all the recovery plans for endangered species is the very least that is needed.

  • by Tim Beshara
US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell. The Fed's response to the seizure in the US "repo" market last September that has driven sharemarkets to new heights.
Opinion
World markets

US Fed is caught in a trap - if it tries to escape all hell breaks loose

Stock markets are surging despite weak economic growth. The reason is the usual suspect - the Fed.

  • by Stephen Bartholomeusz
When do you stop worrying? Well the bad news is ...
Parenting

When do you stop worrying about your kids? Perhaps at the end of time

My pregnant daughter asked me when you stop worrying about the wellbeing of your children. There is no short answer.

  • by Jenna Price
Illustration: Cathy Wilcox
Letters

Victoria: State of environmental mismanagement

Readers discuss issues relating to Victoria.

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Disability

Proposals for a better NDIS need to be heeded

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is fantastic when it works, but for many people who need it, it's still far too hard to use.

  • by The Age's View
de marigny.
Analysis
A-League

Wanderers' next move is crucial with team facing identity crisis

Since Tony Popovic's departure, the Wanderers have hired coaches with character. What they need now is a team with one.

  • by Dominic Bossi
Merchandise for the potnential "Sussex Royal" brand.
Opinion
Royal family

Is Brand Monarchy losing momentum after 68 years?

Will Brand Monarchy outlive Brand Sussex?

  • by Tony Eades
Parkrunners get cracking in Tuggeranong, one of the Canberra Parkruns called off due to excessive smoke.
Opinion
Bushfires

Economic effect of disasters runs deeper than we think

The bushfire disaster has given the country a crash course in forces beyond economic control.

  • by Shane Wright
A screen demonstrates facial-recognition technology at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China. Companies are being forced to innovate.
Privacy

Privacy concerns over facial recognition technology

Artificial intelligence could be a strong tool for security bodies but it would be dangerous in the wrong hands.

  • by Nicole Stephensen
Hassan Rouhani is seen as the kinder face of the Iranian regime. Even he feels free to taunt Europe.
Opinion
Middle East tensions

Every day Europe dithers, Iran's uranium enrichment program grows

Europe has been talking tough about potential US tariffs on vehicles. If only they were as tough on Iran about its nuclear ambition.

  • by Bobby Ghosh
Illustration: Vintage Andrew Dyson
Letters

The sport rort: Why waste time with a selection process?

Readers continue to discuss the bias in how federal grants were allocated to sporting clubs.

Bridget McKenzie says an audit into her sports grants program found no rules were broken.
Opinion
Government grants

Why the sports grants findings are so serious

Trust in government, which should be central to a healthy democracy, is at a historical low in Australia.

  • by Maria O'Sullivan
Harry and Meghan: Forging their own path.
Opinion
Royal family

When it comes to being a royal, there are certain non-negotiables

While the events of the past 10 days will undoubtedly have taken their toll on the 93-year-old monarch, Her Majesty's decisive action over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex not only reminds us who is boss - but why.

  • by Camilla Tominey
A firefighter works through the night to prevent a blaze crossing the Kings Highway between Nelligen and Batemans Bay, on the NSW South Coast, on January 2.
Opinion
Bushfires

Profile of a firefighter arsonist

Thousands of people have volunteered to help fight the bushfires, but a rigorous screening process is vital.

  • by Clive Williams
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U.S. President Donald Trump, addresses a plenary session during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP)
Opinion
Trade wars

Trump's speech at Davos is putting chill down European spines

The last time Donald Trump spoke at Davos he foreshadowed an aggressive approach to ''unfair trade.'' China was the target but will it be Europe's turn now?

  • by Stephen Bartholomeusz
A homeowner in the Kiribati Islands rebuilds a sea wall to protect his house on the island of Tarawa.
Opinion
Climate policy

Climate refugees cannot be forced back home

The UN has found it is unlawful for governments to repatriate people to countries where conditions are life-threatening.

  • by Jane McAdam
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who looked at these photos and hoped my husband still feels that way about me after 28 years of marriage.
Opinion
Marriage

What the Obamas can teach us about happy marriage

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who looked at those photos and hoped my husband still feels that way about me after 28 years of marriage.

  • by Kasey Edwards
Thomas Markle during the interview for an upcoming documentary that will cause more grief for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Opinion
Royal family

It was only a matter of time before Thomas Markle cashed in on Megxit

It would seem elements of the British press haven't learned anything from the violent death of Princess Diana in that Paris tunnel two decades ago.

  • by Bevan Shields
Sydney barely recognisable under heavy smoke ... the health impacts are real.
Opinion
Climate policy

The warming planet is already killing people, so health policy must catch up

Ignoring the science behind illnesses caused by climate change would be akin to supporting anti-vaxxers, writes Labor's federal health spokesman.

  • by Chris Bowen
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe will be contemplating cutting interest rates further.
Opinion
Interest rates

RBA should stop pretending there is any more it can usefully do

If the Reserve Bank cuts interest rates again in a fortnight’s time, in whose interests will it be acting?

  • by Ross Gittins
The bushfires have refocused attention on Australia's climate change policy.
Opinion
Bushfires

The last thing we need is another bushfire royal commission

At the end of a difficult bushfire season, a rehashing of old recommendations only to gather dust on parliamentary shelves is pointless.

  • by Peter Marshall
The Valentino Rockstud became an instant modern cult item.
Opinion
Style

So far, it's been a summer of denim

One of the main reasons I love denim is that it is practically indestructible – the very opposite of fast fashion.

  • by Clare Boyd-Macrae
Volunteers sort food donations during a tour of Foodbank Victoria by federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese in Yarraville, Melbourne last Friday.
Opinion
Bushfires

Is all giving really good giving?

There is no denying the current call to action to support those impacted by Australia’s bushfires is not only critical but urgent. But before opening your wallet (digital or otherwise), take the time to carefully consider what you are hoping to achieve.

  • by Emma Sakellaris
Editorial
Electric cars

If Morrison wants climate credibility, he should be pushing electric vehicles

The concept that electric cars don't suit Australia because of the long distances is largely a furphy.

  • The Age's View
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The decision to strip Harry of his military appointments may be considered harsh.
Analysis
Royal family

Queen's message to Harry and Meghan couldn't be clearer: It's over

The most experienced British monarch in history knew her subjects would never have let the couple have their cake and eat it.

  • by Camilla Tominey
Dalila Jakupovic retires after suffering a horrendous coughing fit and breathing difficulties in the heavy, polluted air in Melbourne. Awful scenes
Opinion
Australian Open

Nobody wants to watch the Australian Chokin’

As the Australian Open starts, the world’s eyes are on Australia for a reason besides that whole ''apocalyptic inferno'' thing.

  • by Dom Knight
The Australian flag on a property at Oakdale with smoke from the bushfire approaches.
Opinion
Australia Day

Why it's shocking to feel 'embarrassed to be Australian'

There is a no doubt there are a lot of complex and divisive issues we need to work through as a nation, but we should feel good about who we are and what Australia stands for.

  • by Claire Kimball
Harry and Meghan
Opinion
Royal family

Is 'Megxit' the royals' greatest feminist act?

Meghan Markle most likely thought she could handle being part of the royal family. Hell, if you can make it in Hollywood how much harder can it be? But she underestimated some important elements.

  • by Maria Lewis
Under cover: Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex  take shelter at a community picnic in Dubbo, 2018.
Opinion
Royal family

I said to Meghan: 'Why don't you just jack it all in?'

Prince Harry has always been a wildcard and this next chapter in his story is really no shock.

  • by Bryony Gordon
The internet cloud. iStock Photo File #19668905 Computers. People. iPad. Phone. Generic. Cloud, multiple devices, multi platform, iPad, smartphone, laptop. Credit: iStock
Opinion
Social media

Feeling anxious and powerless? Australia's only saint had advice

The 2010s felt like a series of great and sudden changes, of immense disruption, of death and rebirth.my impotence. And now, I worry about my future in a way I could never have imagined, and my impotence to change it.

  • by Jan Fran
Coptic Orthodox Christians pray.
Opinion
Religion

Religious persecution a growing global problem

The legacy of colonialism leads many people to believe that Christians are the ones in power doing the persecuting, but that is not so.

  • by Barney Zwartz
Illustration: Matt Golding
Letters

Flames and fury: No wonder so many of us are starting to shout

Reader discuss Michael Leunig's call for ''humility and common decency''.

Melbourne city blanketed by smoke. Spotswood. 14th January 2020. Photo by Jason South
Analysis
Pollution

Why is air pollution so harmful? DNA may hold the answer

Scientists are still figuring out how air pollution causes so many ailments - and why some people are resilient to this modern onslaught.

  • by Carl Zimmer
Payments for volunteer firefighters will be sped up as the federal government frees up more cash for the bushfire response.
Opinion
Australian economy

Finally, some good news for the government (and for our economy)

The government can count its blessings that in a two-week period it managed to suffer two failures that put them and the country on a better path.

  • by Angela Jackson
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Is race a factor? Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, plan to exit Britain.
Opinion
Royal family

Two women, two very different tales of repressive regimes

I feel for Meghan Markle in a personal sense. I just can’t join those who champion her as a feminist cause, emblematic of all “strong women” who take on a stuffy institution.

  • by Julie Szego
Former Liberal leader Matthew Guy conceding defeat in last year's state election.
Opinion
Victoria Votes

Labor’s radical social reform agenda is actually its soft underbelly

Soaring enrolments in Christian schools are a telling sign of what parents really think about public education in Victoria.

  • by Asher Judah
Alen Stajcic was removed as Matildas coach in January 2019.
Analysis
Matildas

A year on from Stajcic's sacking, what's changed for the Matildas?

Too many, indeed most, have argued their case as black and white when really much of the reason for Stajcic's dismissal falls somewhere in the grey.

  • by Anthony Colangelo
The sky turns red as fires close in on Omeo in Victoria earlier this month.
Editorial
Bushfires

Give willingly and wisely to bushfires relief

There are rip-off merchants who abuse people’s generosity.

  • The Age's View
Brodie Grundy with teammate Ben Reid at Collingwood training.
Opinion
AFL 2020

Sport Thought: Is signing Grundy for seven years too big a risk?

Collingwood's decision to give ruckman Brodie Grundy the seven-year deal he desired is worth debating.

  • by Peter Ryan
Thailand and China are just two countries where women’s cricket is blossoming, as the game goes truly global.
Analysis
Australian cricket

How women are helping cricket become the new world game

Cricket is growing at such a rate through central Africa, Asia and the Pacific that the women's T20 World Cup could have featured far more than just 10 nations.

  • by Geoff Lawson
Switzerland's Roger Federer holds his trophy aloft after defeating Croatia's Marin Cilic during the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Analysis
Australian Open

Long live the three kings of men's tennis

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have dominated tennis for more than a decade. Don't be in a hurry for it to end.

  • by Neil Breen
Forging their own path: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
Opinion
Royal family

I don't like Meghan. That doesn't make me racist

The Duchess of Sussex is a world leader and a public figure. While that doesn't take away her right to any privacy, it also does not exempt her from criticism.

  • by Christine M. Flowers
Several neighbours complained to police about the flag.
Opinion
Racism

The law against racial hatred that can't be used to stop the advocacy of Nazism

There's never a good reason for going soft on hatred, except when all good intentions cannot be supported by the full force of the law.

  • by Tim Soutphommasane
David Watson is Professor of Ecology at Charles Sturt University.
Opinion
Bushfires

Welcome aboard, denialists: now let's stop fiddling and start fixing

For many, the bushfire crisis has brought a radical change in thinking. People are realising they were wrong. The climate really is changing.

  • by David Watson
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Futurology is a fascinating, if inexact, science.
Analysis
Good Weekend

Meet the futurist with 2020 vision

Where is the year heading? The Future Exploration Network's Ross Dawson has a few ideas

  • by Greg Callaghan
Larry Fink ... "We will see changes in capital allocation more quickly than we see changes to the climate itself."
Opinion
Climate policy

The big money leaves coal for dust

While Australia clings to coal, global investors are moving to abandon it - not necessarily for ethical reasons, but because of the risk.

  • by Nick O'Malley
The populist backlash sweeping the advanced economies in recent years – think Trump, Brexit and Pauline Hanson – has produced some soul searching in the discipline, says Professor Rodrik.
Opinion
GDP

Populist revolt against their failed policies making economists rethink

Failed policies and a hierarchical male-dominated culture are causing soul-searching among economists.

  • by Ross Gittins
Jay Munro is head of career insights at Indeed.
Sponsored
Careers

How to stay connected with managers and co-workers as a remote worker

Remote work has many selling points, but it is also important to understand the potential pitfalls.

  • by Jay Munro