Opinion
Opinion
China relations
Fragility, not strength, at the heart of Chinese politics
A new book claims that cultural anxiety, insecurity and paranoia lurk just beneath the surface of contemporary China's politics.
- by Peter Hartcher
Latest
Opinion
AFL 2020
Free agency a disaster of the AFL's making
Jeremy Cameron wanting to go to Geelong is a disaster for the AFL. Worse, it is a disaster of the AFL’s making.
- by Michael Gleeson
Opinion
Casinos
Walls are closing in on Packer and Crown as pressure piles on
Crown Resorts’ woes are cascading, its share price is collapsing and the wealth of its major shareholder James Packer is shrinking.
- by Elizabeth Knight
NZ election
Ardern's catch of the day: moral support from a good bloke
Women don't need men to succeed in politics but if they are choosing one, there is now a fully-functional template in New Zealand.
- by Jenna Price
Opinion
Real Footy Podcast
'A great subplot for the grand final'
This week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall preview the grand final.
Analysis
Please Explain podcast
Please Explain podcast: Victorians rejoice as some coronavirus restrictions ease
In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by The Age's state political reporter Summeyya Ilanbey to discuss the Victorian government and its critics as the state flattens the coronavirus curve.
- by Tory Maguire
Opinion
Brownlow Medal
Where's Charlie? The Brownlow's cringe moment
The question used to be asked at the beginning of AFL grand final week: "who will take Charlie home?" This year the more pertinent question was not who would take Charlie home. It was: "actually, where is Charlie?"
- by Michael Gleeson
Analysis
US votes 2020
Is Facebook really ready for the 2020 election?
Facebook insists it has learnt its lesson after the 2016 election that saw Russian agents and other opportunists attempt to manipulate the result. But critics are not so sure.
- by Barbara Orturay and David Klepper
Opinion
NZ election
I was a non-believer, but now I too want a hug from Jacinda
Ardern had just been made deputy leader when I decided to give her a few words of advice. She politely rejected them. I'm glad she did.
- by Pam Corkery
Opinion
Best Games ever
Sydney Paralympic Games were different for reason close to my heart
I watched as they built the Olympic Stadium. I drove my car around the athletics track when it was still dirt. A couple of years later, I would win gold twice on that same soil - my home turf.
- by Louise Sauvage
Opinion
Federal budget
This one-year, fold-away budget won’t do the trick
The federal government's decision to turn the stimulus off early may yet prove to be a great error of political – and economic – judgment.
- by Ross Gittins
Analysis
NZ election
Ardern's win poses questions over the Greens and challenges for the centre-right
Jacinda Ardern's re-election poses questions for centre-right governments around the world about what voters want and expect from their leaders.
- by James Massola
Opinion
Media & marketing
Murdoch's sway on politics warrants royal commission
Rupert Murdoch is not just any old businessman. He’s not just interested in money – and the habits of a lifetime lead him to destroy anybody who gets in his way.
- by Kevin Rudd
Opinion
MyCareer Education
The secret to teaching is understanding your students
Science teacher Tim Sloane believes interpersonal skills and an ability to engage with the teenage mindset are critical to success.
- by Tim Sloane
Opinion
Childcare
Build childcare around the needs of parents, not childcare centres
No one disputes that kids need to be looked after when parents are working. That’s easy. It’s what comes next that's harder.
- by Amanda Vanstone
Tight Five
Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies can only blame themselves after letting golden opportunity slip
Pressure caused some of the Wallabies' mistakes, but Dave Rennie will demand more of his players upon their return to Australia. It wasn't good enough.
- by Paul Cully
Analysis
AFL Grand Final
Contrasting styles collide in grand final like no other
That the Tigers and Cats have qualified for the last game of the year should not be understated given they've played almost all of the season on the road as a result of the coronavirus crisis in Victoria.
- by Daniel Cherny
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
NFL and college football seasons in jeopardy with rising COVID rates
The NFL season has never been so imperiled. Yet it and college football plow ahead, proclaiming continued confidence in the protocols and safeguards they have in place.
- by Larry Stone
Opinion
US votes 2020
What if everyone is wrong - and Trump wins?
The groupthink is firmly predicting a Joe Biden victory. But nothing is ever certain in US politics - and Trump has four factors in his favour.
- by Bruce Wolpe
Opinion
Renewables
WA could miss the chance to capitalise on renewable energy boom
Even in the absence of a clear energy policy, renewable energy solutions are winning the race against coal and gas in WA.
- by Maggie Wood
Opinion
Wellbeing
The 'aha' moment that made me quit booze seven years ago
I won’t deny that a couple of drinks works wonders on both the relaxation and networking front – but these days I can’t imagine not being drink-free.
- by Odette Barry
Opinion
ICAC
Berejiklian and Andrews have one thing in common: they want to brazen out their crises
The two premiers know there is no voter appetite for a change of leader in the midst of the pandemic and a recession.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Opinion
Gladys Berejiklian
NSW can't sustain a Premier Schultz with so many 'I know nussink!'s on her record
Gladys Berejiklian is fighting for survival, but there are politicians in Canberra who deserve greater scrutiny.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
Money Makeover
It's not too late to save for a debt-free Christmas
There's no better feeling than paying for something with money you carefully set aside for a specific purpose.
- by Jessica Irvine
Analysis
AFL 2020
Ablett delivers the biggest blows when it matters most
Gary Ablett, who entered the game not knowing if this preliminary final would be his last or second last game, landed the most important blows for the Cats
- by Jake Niall
Analysis
NRL 2020
Panthers win the physical and mental battles to make decider
Ivan Cleary, up against a coach who knows something about timing your run, ensured his men produced a performance just as compelling as the 16 which preceded it.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Opinion
Air travel
Fight for Jeststar cash refunds continues unabated
The only way to get a cash reimbursement is to fight, fight, fight – and hold and hold on the phone – and refuse every offer of a credit voucher.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Opinion
Ask an expert
'Thank you Australia': An immigrant success story
After arriving from Zimbabwe 12 years ago with just $3264 and the clothes on their backs, a couple built a modest but happy retirement.
- by George Cochrane
Analysis
NZ election
Victory an endorsement for Jacinda's steady hand in unsteady times
Jacinda Ardern has claimed victory in the 2020 election. But much tougher challenges lie ahead over the next three years.
- by James Massola
Analysis
AFL 2020
North's hard options if Shaw departs club
Rhyce Shaw's decision to step away from coaching and the prospect that he won't return has North Melbourne facing one of the most daunting searches for a coach of recent times.
- by Jake Niall
Analysis
US votes 2020
Trump fatigue: Are Americans turning the channel on Donald's show?
Joe Biden's TV town hall scored higher ratings than Donald Trump's. It's a worrying sign of "Trump fatigue" for Republicans ahead of election day.
- by Matthew Knott
Opinion
Friendship
Has lockdown 2.0 turned us into crappy friends? Maybe, but there's hope
It’s a strange dichotomy: we’re hungry for social connection and yet we are pushing it away.
- by Sophie Aubrey
Analysis
Naked City
Just hang on: the A to Z of pandemic politics
If ministers are to be believed, private security guards just turned up in uniform at the quarantine hotels like European wasps at a picnic.
- by John Silvester
Opinion
Maguire inquiry
I was stunned by the number of women who declared 'Je suis Gladys'
The problem is Gladys Berejiklian is the Premier.
- by Julia Baird
Opinion
US election
Trump defeat will transform US in way we haven't seen in decades
Joe Biden's radical agenda should scare Middle America. However, the stench of failure around Trump is so great and the mood of the nation is so grim that there is a growing sense that this election is Biden’s to lose.
- by Tom Switzer
Opinion
Crown Unmasked
Investors have had a gutful of Crown and its 'butt-covering' board
Crown chairman Helen Coonan lack of remorse about the casino giant's culture and behaviour won't go down well with investors who've had a gutful.
- by Adele Ferguson
Opinion
MyCareer
The pitfalls of positive thinking
Positive thinking can get you only so far. Ultimately you cannot outrun reality, however much you try.
- by Jim Bright
Opinion
Life in Lockdown
Will the sun really come out tomorrow? Maybe Annie lied to us
You might think it's an uplifting song, Justin Timberlake, but I don’t want sunshine in my pocket, the sun is 15-million degrees.
- by Danny Katz
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Dear Dan: Many of us are not doing well. Something has to give
As much as I have been a champion of lockdown, there is only so much seclusion and isolation a human can cop.
- by Wendy Squires
Analysis
Richmond
Tigers reign in wet to end Port parade
The best side of the era beat the best side of the year. You wouldn't have it any other way in a preliminary final.
- by Greg Baum
Opinion
Democracy
Democracy is fragile. Handle with care
Events in Australia in the past week have demonstrated just how fragile our own democracy can be. We can no longer count on America to be our "beacon on the hill".
- by Peter Hartcher
Analysis
Bledisloe Cup
Shrewd awakening: How Rennie has the Wallabies matching the All Blacks
The penalty the Wallabies won in the 81st minute of last week's Bledisloe opener was a classic example of the sort of play Australian fans feel they've been subjected to for years by the All Blacks.
- by Paul Cully
Opinion
Spectrum
Inspirational art: from photocopies to seductive selfie magnets
A major survey of Lindy Lee's work charts a journey from photocopied creations to alluring large-scale public sculptures made with metal and soldering irons.
- by John McDonald
Analysis
Please Explain podcast
Please Explain podcast: What will Virgin Australia look like under Hrdlicka and Bain Capital?
In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by business reporter Patrick Hatch to discuss Bain's 'hybrid' vision for Virgin: neither budget nor premium.
- by Tory Maguire
Opinion
Trump's America
Trump feels great. But what about the 215,000 Americans who died of COVID?
Donald Trump's account of his coronavirus infection shows little interest in how horrific the disease has been for many of his fellow Americans.
- by Warwick McFadyen
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Thank god for failure and bouncers with a sense of humour
What is the silver lining to your lockdown tale, asks Richard Glover.
- by Richard Glover
Opinion
Bledisloe Cup
Eight crowded minutes show rugby the way ... but where's the will?
For a few minutes, the game felt like life and death. What allowed that to happen? Paul Williams, appreciated the stakes and kept his whistle in his pocket.
- by Malcolm Knox
Opinion
Federal budget
No 'bang for buck': Budget is big on political correctness, weak on job creation
The budget spends a mint of money – which it should - but its measures have been chosen based on how well they fit the government's "core values", not on whether they’re likely to deliver "bang for buck".
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Child safety
'Why would they put me in a house with a rapist?' Sex assault victim questions department 'care'
My name is Macie and I am 17 years old. Child protection has owned me since I was three. I don't know why they would put me in a house with a rapist when they know that I have been sexually assaulted before.
- by Macie
Startups
Would you ever give staff 100 per cent autonomy?
Should bosses let staff go ahead with new ideas even if they think they're destined to fail?
- by James Adonis