Opinion
Opinion
Sharemarket
The coronavirus is a human credit crunch, and there's no quick fix
It is the flow of people, as much as money, that keeps the global economy ticking over. The sudden halt to the movement of workers, shoppers and tourists should worry us just as much as the drying up of credit during the global financial crisis.
- by Clara Ferreira Marques
Latest
Opinion
Pacific diplomacy
Ocean degradation falls heaviest on those least responsible
The President of Palau writes that the oceans are not a level playing field, but making the use of their resources more equitable will be critical to sustaining them.
- by Tommy Remengesau Jr
Coronavirus outbreak
Our HIV lesson: exclude politicians and trust the experts - and the people - to confront coronavirus
One of the architects of Australia's successful response to HIV-AIDS warns we must repudiate some foolish elements of current thinking about coronavirus.
- by Bill Bowtell
Opinion
Nuclear energy
Why small nuclear reactors could be NSW's energy - and emissions - solution
A cross-party upper house inquiry has recommended lifting the prohibition on uranium mining in NSW - and the Deputy Premier writes why this is the state's chance to move to nuclear power.
- by John Barilaro
Opinion
NRL 2020
NRL issues reminder that Shane Flanagan can't coach until 2022
The Dragons assistant coach cannot even apply for a reduction in his ban in the next two years.
- by Andrew Webster
Opinion
Work in Progress
Should workplaces ban sugary drinks?
Does our obsession with soft drinks need a paternalistic approach?
- by James Adonis
Opinion
The lowdown
BP decision struck a blow for employees' right of free speech
Fair Work Commission's reinstatement of a refinery worker has put a handbrake on growing levels of employer control
- by Anthony Forsyth
Letters
Coronavirus: Paying the price for years of cost cutting
Readers continue to discuss the impact of coronavirus, including medically and economically.
Opinion
Coronavirus outbreak
Morrison's coronavirus stimulus plan may be just the start
The months ahead will be a murky period of economic and social uncertainty, with nobody sure when the coronavirus will peak, nor when it might pass.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
Gender pay gap
If governments really cared about the gender pay gap, they'd value the jobs women dominate
Women account for about 80 per cent of the caring workforce, yet these jobs remain stubbornly underpaid. On International Women's Day on Sunday, this is a serious point for politicians to consider.
- by Cassandra Goldie
Editorial
Coronavirus outbreak
World must come together to fight coronavirus
Finger-pointing about who is to blame only makes it harder for countries to share knowledge about controlling the epidemic.
- The Age's View
Editorial
Coronavirus outbreak
World must come together to fight coronavirus
Finger pointing about who is to blame only makes it harder for countries to share knowledge about controlling the epidemic.
- The Herald's View
Analysis
Please Explain podcast
Coronavirus this week: biosecurity up, toilet paper down
On this week’s episode of Please Explain, Tory Maguire talks to China correspondent Eryk Bagshaw about the federal government's messaging tactics. Later on the show, The Age's health reporter Melissa Cunningham discusses mass panic around toilet paper.
- by Tory Maguire
Opinion
Royal family
Meghan and Harry: is something unravelling behind the scenes?
One thing is certain: neither the words nor the sentiments in The Statement appear to be those of a happy young couple, reveling in the joy of each other and their nine-month-old baby.
- by Celia Walden
Opinion
Coronavirus outbreak
Are children super spreaders? Of course they are!
It is in children’s nature to spread everything they have in their possession, from germs to information and even possessions.
- by Nicola Philp
Opinion
Retail
Myer's seemingly ugly result is history now the coronavirus is here
Myer has produced a first-half profit that is either ugly or, beneath its headline, respectable in the conditions. With the coronavirus epidemic darkening the outlook for retailers, however, the result is irrelevant as a guide to future profitability.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Analysis
US votes 2020
Why Michael Bloomberg's expensive failure is Joe Biden's gain
Bloomberg's departure cements Biden as the only moderate candidate left in the Democratic race - and the clear favourite to take on Trump in November.
- by Matthew Knott
Opinion
Ask an expert
Unwinding a reverse mortgage can be difficult
One option might be to do nothing. Property prices are growing again in most areas so, even though the debt on your home may be growing, so too is its value.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Opinion
Big four
The trouble for Mike Baird at NAB was he was the former CEO's man
Corporate management teams are almost as factionalised as political parties. Baird, who will leave his lucrative job running the National Australia Bank’s retail bank next month, belonged to the wrong faction.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
The Venture
Beware epidemic of unscrupulous management
Risk that some companies mischievously use coronavirus threat to cut worker pay, conditions.
- by Tony Featherstone
Analysis
NRL 2020
'Butchered, terrible': Singo's barrage over NRL ad revealed
Ad man John Singleton and author Thomas Keneally have differing views on whether the NRL's new ad is Simply the Best.
- by Roy Masters
Opinion
AFL injury ward
The changes that could go a long way to fixing AFLW's ACL problem
I'm no sports doctor or researcher, so I will leave that to the experts, but I would like to raise some of my thoughts on why, potentially, the rates of ACL injuries are higher for women.
- by Emma Kearney
Analysis
World markets
Trump’s economic cheerleading faces a huge test
It's easy to work out why Trump has played down economic damage from the coronavirus and dismissed Wall Street plunge - they threaten to undermine the most effective story he tells about his presidency.
- by Jim Tankersley and Ben Casselman
Opinion
Coronavirus outbreak
The double whammy that threatens the global economy
Coronavirus coupled with inflation may be the perfect storm that destroys growth around the world.
- by Russell Lynch
Opinion
Body language
'Helping no one': The role we all play in the obesity epidemic
Blaming individuals for finding themselves stuck in a spiral is as futile as it is short-sighted.
- by Sarah Berry
Opinion
Superannuation
Why I'm a super party pooper: we need extra cash to buy homes now, not to retire on
While retirees hoard too much wealth, the rest of us don't need to plough any more of our incomes into superannuation. We need it to buy homes and to live on.
- by Jessica Irvine
Opinion
Coronavirus outbreak
The delicate balance of enforcing coronavirus quarantine laws
Australia is rightly acting with tough measures to control the COVID-19 outbreak, but it is not an excuse to suspend fundamental human rights.
- by Xavier Symons
Opinion
Work therapy
Work therapy: When 'higher-ups' do the wrong thing
There are respectful and thoughtful ways to call out inappropriate behaviours.
- by Jonathan Rivett
Opinion
Veganism
Nobody is forcing you to eat a meat-free pie
Just because brands are making their products more accessible to others, doesn't mean you're being forgotten.
- by Matt Bungard
Opinion
Coronavirus outbreak
Our economy needs serious help, and it needs it now
Not since the oil crisis of the 1970s has the world faced a supply side shock of this nature.
- by Angela Jackson
Opinion
Courts
As family violence peaks, we should not be cutting volunteer funding
Court Network has been providing valuable non-legal support in the family law system since 1990. Now it faces closure for the sake of $130,000.
- by Marcia Neave
Letters
Cash supply tinkering won't fix the economy
Age readers discuss the need for a federal government stimulus package.
Editorial
Waste
More light a must in dark landfill chapter
It's essential that Brimbank City Council, the EPA and the state government commit to all necessary measures for thorough monitoring and remediation in the case of the Sunshine Landfills mess.
- The Age's View
Opinion
NRL 2020
Put simply? NRL has grown up and it's for the best we all follow suit
History will show that the NRL's positions on the allegedly contentious parts of the Simply The Best ad were correct.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
Coronavirus outbreak
Iron ore miners starting to recover after shares infected early by coronavirus
Early signs are emerging that investors are starting to take a fresh look at Australia’s large iron ore exporters - and through a rosier lens.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Analysis
US votes 2020
Generational rift exposed as Joe Biden stages a comeback for the ages
With Biden's campaign back from the dead, the Democratic Party faces an almighty schism, with older and younger voters divided on how to defeat Donald Trump.
- by Matthew Knott
Opinion
Australian Women's cricket team
Is the Australian women's team playing too much cricket?
I never thought I'd pose the question. But looking at their recent schedule, I'm not surprised to see so many injuries, or some players struggling with burnout.
- by Lisa Sthalekar
Opinion
Media & marketing
A day in the life of an AAP journo (pre-extinction)
A long-time journalist with the news agency finds a decades-old diary entry. It is a rich insight into the tireless work of AAP staff, who learned this week that it will shut down in June.
- by Greg Truman
Analysis
Film awards
When Roman Polanski wins a directing award, does the #MeToo movement lose?
At France's equivalent to the Academy Awards, convicted rapist Roman Polanski won the best director prize for his latest film, An Officer and a Spy.
- by Michael Phillips
Opinion
Coronavirus outbreak
Panic breeds panic: The Fed gave the markets what they wanted and the markets tanked
The Fed's surprise move was supposed to boost markets - but it had the opposite effect as investors smelt panic.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Analysis
Coronavirus outbreak
Europe's 'let's think about it' coronavirus response can't last much longer
The most striking part of how Europe has responded to the economic threat is the lack of real action.
- by Bevan Shields
Analysis
Coronavirus outbreak
How the coronavirus could lead to a recession
The global outbreak has caused upheaval in stock markets and disrupted supply chains around the world. But what would it take to lead to a recession?
- by Ben Casselman
Opinion
Investing
Warren Buffett is waiting for one last big score
He is considered by some to be the world's greatest investor. Now he is eyeing one more big deal
- by Nir Kaissar
Opinion
Reality TV
Dating shows are about something much darker than love
Like every other dating show, Netflix's 'Love is Blind' claims to be about love. But, like every other dating show, it is actually about feelings. Dating shows often work by forcing contestants into serious emotional turmoil, then they mine this emotional turmoil – these "feelings" - for juicy moments of entertainment.
- by Kerri Sackville
Analysis
NRL 2020
Will suburban grounds really bring back NRL crowds?
Data suggests romantic memories of bumper attendances at suburban grounds like Belmore, Kogarah and Leichhardt ovals may be built on an illusion.
- by Roy Masters
Opinion
US votes 2020
Why I'm voting for Joe Biden on Super Tuesday
There are only imperfect candidates to take on Trump so I'm looking for the anti-Bernie with the best chance to beat him.
- by Bruce Wolpe
Opinion
Diversity
Burundi friendship reveals the sharp truth about Margaret Court
Life is a nightmare for gay men and lesbians in Burundi.
- by Greg Callaghan
COMMENT
Letters
Tinkering at the edges of a system that is broken
Age readers discuss federal changes to the school funding system.
Opinion
Coronavirus outbreak
Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow the virus won't get you
Crazed by an overexcited world media, Aussies have gone into panic mode well before the threat has materialised.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Crime
Clarke family murders highlight the failings of our custody system
Once women are separated there is some notion that children will magically be safe and nurtured by domestically violent fathers.
- by Cathy Humphreys