Please Explain podcast
Expert daily insight into the stories that drive the nation.
The Booklist newsletter
A weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger.
Money with Jess newsletter
Jessica Irvine helps you budget, earn, invest and enjoy your money.
Breaking
Coronavirus pandemic
Stadium capacity gets 25 per cent boost in major changes to WA restrictions
On Friday WA Premier Mark McGowan announced that capacity at all venues including Optus Stadium and RAC Arena would be increased on March 15.
WA to hold Royal Commission into Crown Perth’s suitability to hold casino licence
The Commissioners will be former Supreme Court Judge Neville Owen, former Supreme Court Judge Lindy Jenkins and former Auditor General for WA Colin Murphy.
Banana prices expected to rise after $180m damage to Qld crops
Banana prices could increase several dollars as far northern Queensland farmers assess over $180 million in crop damage after Cyclone Niran hit the coast this week.
Woman drew on counselling before recounting alleged rape
The woman who accused Attorney-General Christian Porter of rape drew on counselling that she said helped to “resurface” a trauma she said she had known about for years.
Analysis
Trends
The end of free wine tastings: How COVID changed WA cellar doors
Paid tastings go against the tradition of the cellar door bar, where customers could rock up unannounced and taste as much or as little as they liked, usually for free.
Doubts over witnesses entering Australia for Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial
Three villagers who allege they saw Ben Roberts-Smith kick an unarmed man off a cliff in Afghanistan are unlikely to be granted entry to Australia to give evidence, a court has heard.
Hundreds of NZ residents return home but threat remains after three earthquakes
Hundreds of evacuated residents across New Zealand are able to return home after three earthquakes prompted tsunami warnings, an Australian territory and a handful of Pacific islands.
The conversations with schoolboys that horrified Laura Bates
For her book Men Who Hate Women, the British writer went undercover online and infiltrated a network of terror groups and incels who advocated violence against women.
Opinion
MyCareer
Rape allegations have put workplace safety front and centre
Australians are seeking leadership from the Prime Minister and want real action.
Jim Bright
Analysis
Royal family
Hated in Britain, Harry and Meghan now need to win over America
The tell-all interview with Oprah is meant to build Harry and Meghan’s American brand - their approval ratings have plunged in the UK.
Ruling paves way for Johnson & Johnson to pay millions for faulty implants
The pharmaceutical giant lost a bid to overturn a court decision that found it exaggerated the benefits of its pelvic mesh implants and minimised the risks.
Big Tobacco asks regulator to convince people nicotine isn’t that bad
Marlboro cigarettes maker Altria wants to enlist an unlikely partner in convincing consumers that nicotine isn’t as bad as they think - its regulator, the US Food and Drug Administration.
Morrison would welcome coronial inquest for Porter’s accuser
The Prime Minister says he has no doubt Christian Porter would co-operate with any inquest into the death of a woman who made an historical rape allegation against the Attorney-General.
WA ELECTION
Albo and McGowan ‘mates’ but don’t expect to see them together
Federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese visited the BHP Nickel Refinery in Kwinana on Thursday and will remain in the state over the next few days but, so far, has no public appearances planned with Premier Mark McGowan.
Opinion
As election looms, WA Premier Mark McGowan closes in on the civil liberties he once defended
Vying for another term in government, WA Premier Mark McGowan’s tune has changed considerably since he called the ‘stop-and-search’ laws of the Barnett government “quasi-fascist”.
Gareth Parker
Columnist
Western Australia
Updated
WA courts
Perth electric shock victim and family sue state in massive damages claim
Denishar Woods was left with severe brain injuries after suffering a shock at a public housing property in 2018. Her legal claim alone could top $10m.
Perth’s No Menu restaurant owner accused of abusing staff
A group of former female employees, aged in their 20s and 30s, have come forward and alleged the chef physically and sexually abused them.
Exmouth light plane crash couple were much-loved community locals
The Exmouth community has been left reeling by the death of two locals killed in a light plane crash in WA’s North West on Wednesday afternoon.
Opinion
Tragedy
‘If I can save one life, then my life is worth living’: This WA dad is on a mission
After my son died the coroner gave me a pamphlet. Through Medicare I can get 10 counselling sessions. What if I need more? What if Australia needs more?
Jon Eddy
As WA working families start to call, housing support workers face ‘tsunami’ of homelessness
WA social sector experts predict a “tsunami of homelessness” with as many as 100,000 people affected when the moratorium on rental evictions ends in an already tight market.
Politics
Exclusive
Superannuation
Liberal MP’s housing campaign a ‘bigger problem’ than super guarantee for Labor
Labor senator Kimberley Kitching criticised Tim Wilson’s super-for-housing push as he wrote to superannuation funds asking them to disclose the value of their real estate assets.
Business
‘Hub and home’: New norm for workers is a grim reality for office owners
In the face of the pandemic and workers’ reluctance to return to old commuting habits, many blue-chip corporations are delaying making decisions and reassessing how they will use their office spaces.
Opinion
icare investigation
Injured workers left high and dry by icare’s excruciatingly slow pace
Adele Ferguson
Investigative journalist and columnist
World
WHO’s coronavirus inquiry compromised by politics say scientists
In an open letter, epidemiologists call for a new inquiry into the virus’ origins, arguing WHO’s team did not have “the independence or the necessary access”.
Opinion
How racism in Seuss books can teach young readers about history and context
Kate Cantrell and Sharon Bickle
PM, if you believe Porter, say so. If not, ask him to resign
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
Explore
Property bydomain
'It felt like an oasis': see inside Zoe Foster Blake and Hamish Blake's home
The celebrity couple's property – for sale with a price guide of $5.9 million to $6.3 million – captures "the best of" its neighbourhood.
This buyer made $500,000 profit on a mansion without ever owning it
The buyer of the iconic home has managed to pocket a jaw-dropping $500,000 profit on the property within months of signing a contract.
Life & Culture
S.L. Lim the first non-binary writer up for Stella Prize since entry changes
Twelve writers have been longlisted for the annual $50,000 prize.
Sport
Listen to our pain: Davis says it’s time for hard truths at Collingwood
The former Magpie says others don’t have the right to determine how those subject to racism should respond.
Roberton makes hard call to hang up boots
St Kilda’s Dylan Roberton has played just one game in three years after suffering a serious heart scare in round four of 2018.
Opinion
AFL 2021
Why the phrase ‘footy’s back’ is a proper faux pas
The language we use around AFLW matters, and footy media and supporters should at least be able to treat both competitions equally when speaking.
Anthony Colangelo
Reporter
Eagles boss says Rioli saga a wake-up call for players
A relieved West Coast chief executive Nisbett said Willie Rioli’s doping violation was a wake-up call and flagged more education for players ahead of the season.
Hips or hormones? New study to tackle ACL toll in AFLW
Researchers have partnered with the AFL to find out why female footballers are nine times more likely than men to suffer serious knee injuries.
Updated
Match report
Anxious wait for star Blues as Saints win freewheeling affair
Never mind a return to 2019, the footy on show at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night resembled something out of the early 1990s.
Finch’s return to form buys selectors time, but tough calls beckon
Trevor Hohns was ruthless with ageing Australian legends in his last tenure as selector – and his panel faces similarly tough calls with three World Cups in the next two years.
Have Your Say
The Waratahs show isn’t rating and, in 2021, that’s the big problem
Whatever narrative the Waratahs are selling, the punters aren’t buying. And having invested in the game as a growth project, Sydney is a concern for rugby’s new broadcasters.
Paul Cully
Rugby columnist
