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Journey into the criminal underworld with Australia’s most formidable crime reporter - John Silvester.
Morning Edition
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
Rape-accused cabinet minister preparing to break silence
The federal cabinet minister accused of a decades-old rape is preparing to make a public statement on Wednesday to declare his innocence.
NSW Liberals will not ‘tolerate’ sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination
The NSW division of the Liberal Party’s inaugural mandatory Code of Conduct and Ethics requires members to “treat others with dignity, courtesy and respect”.
‘Heartache’ for stranded Australians as border ban extended until June
The federal government has extended Australia’s border closure, bringing the total time of the ban to 15 months.
Harvey Norman among companies urged to return JobKeeper money
A raft of high-profile businesses have been slammed over their decision to pocket millions in JobKeeper subsidies.
Exclusive
National security
Breakthrough in troubled $90b French submarine deal
After reports Australia was willing to walk away from the deal after cost blowouts and delays, new in-principle agreements all but lock in the French submarines.
Exclusive
Education
Private school principals to meet with petition organiser over sex assault claims
Chanel Contos, who started a petition calling for better sex and consent education in schools, said she would be raising issues such as victim blaming and sexual coercion.
State’s $330m tutoring program begins in four out of five schools
A small-group tutoring program is designed to help students who fell further behind than anticipated due to remote learning forced by COVID-19 last year.
Opinion
Vale
From Kylie to Barnesy, Gudinski put Australian music on the map
Michael Gudinski did a great deal to change perceptions of what Australian musicians could do on the stage, in the recording studio and in the business.
Shaun Carney
Columnist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
Six Dr Seuss books will no longer be published due to racist images
The books – including And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street and If I Ran the Zoo – will stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery, Dr Seuss Enterprises said.
Accused killer drove around smoking ice with a body in the back of his car, court told
Alex Dion is on trial accused of killing another man in May 2018. He denies killing him, but says he did dump the body.
Jo believes ‘the human rights of [her] two sons are being violated every day’
The Disability Royal Commission has heard that people with a disability are over-medicated because medical staff aren’t trained to communicate with them.
NSW Rugby considers coach options as Whitaker pleads for patience
Senior figures at Rugby Australia are growing increasingly concerned with the dire state of the Waratahs.
Outside the frame: Behind the Britney doco that shook Hollywood
A stunning documentary breaks down the misogynistic culture which has left the star a prisoner of her own fame.
Koroibete set to make multi-million dollar move abroad
The winger has received significant offers from international clubs which will almost certainly price Rugby Australia and the Rebels out of discussions.
The young Panther who passed on Craig Bellamy and the Storm
Not many players knock back the chance to join the Melbourne Storm when it arises, but Penrith prop Spencer Leniu did just that before Christmas.
Sydney
Human remains found on Mollymook Beach ‘do not belong to Melissa Caddick’
Forensic analysis of remains found on the NSW South Coast on Friday has determined they are human, but belong to a man.
‘Further steps’: ICAC investigation into Maguire continues
The former boyfriend of Premier Gladys Berejiklian remains under investigation by the corruption watchdog.
The state’s environmental watchdog is muzzled on forests
Forestry NSW is logging fire-ravaged areas but the environmental watchdog is powerless to stop it, able to act only after the damage is done.
Golden Sheaf Hotel denies COVID-19 breach over crowd photo
A large group of people were photographed queueing outside the hotel in July 2020, but the venue says it believes it was COVID-compliant.
Critically low blood banks spark urgent call for 22,000 donors
Australia’s blood banks are running critically low as hospitals plough through the backlog of procedures delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Politics
Abbott laments lack of substantive figures in public life compared to Howard era
Former prime minister Tony Abbott says the current generation of politicians must accept that the Howard government was far superior to them.
Business
Miners vow to come clean as First Nations, climate pressure builds
Australia’s mining companies will sign up to new social and environmental monitoring guidelines amid deepening concerns about their treatment of First Nations communities.
World
China’s deputy ambassador warns ‘it’s now a sin to be a friend of China’
Wang Xining said Australia’s children will be ashamed of those who sabotaged the friendship with China and urged business leaders to reset the relationship.
Opinion
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RBA holds rates at record lows as house prices soar
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the official interest rate at a record low of 0.1 per cent, but there is speculation rates could rise sooner than expected.
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On the road to Gundagai? Big revival story of a miniature town
The small town of Jugiong could easily have gone belly-up when a bypass stopped the flow of visitors, but it refused to be extinguished.
Life & Culture
‘My heart is broken’: Kylie, Springsteen and more mourn Michael Gudinski
Tributes have poured in from some of the biggest names in music in response to the shock news of the death of the Australian music industry legend.
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Sport
‘Doing it tough’: Hooper finds it hard to watch Waratahs’ woes as Gordon backs Penney
Injured skipper Jake Gordon says the players must take responsibility after the Waratahs went down to record defeats in their first two Super Rugby AU matches.
Tigers reckon PNG prospect Gebbie worth the wait
COVID-19, police checks, visa issues and a lack of phone reception meant the Wests Tigers recruit arrived five months later than hoped.
Western Sydney 0 Melbourne City 2
Match report
Maclaren at double as depleted City down woeful Wanderers
City overcame the loss of two key imports - one in the warm-up - and the absence of coach Patrick Kisnorbo in an impressive victory.
Wallabies star Koroibete set to make multimillion-dollar move abroad
The winger has received significant offers from international clubs which will almost certainly price Rugby Australia and the Rebels out of discussions.
Updated
FIFA World Cup
Socceroos to be sidelined until June with Nepal clash called off, AFC confirms
The longest period of inactivity in almost half a century for the Australian national team is set to stretch out a few months longer.
‘It wasn’t ideal’: Silver Ferns give groggy Diamonds a wake-up call
An exhausted Diamonds side went down 49-44 in the opening clash of a four-game Constellation Cup series, with the loss heavily blamed on hotel quarantine.
The young Panther who passed on Craig Bellamy and the Storm
Not many players knock back the chance to join the Melbourne Storm when it arises, but Penrith prop Spencer Leniu did just that before Christmas.
Have Your Say
NRL’s neck-to-knee financials can’t conceal broadcast revenue hit
ARLC boss Peter V’landys appears to be trying to shield the discount given to broadcast partners in 2020. But a few simple calculations paint a clearer picture.