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Please Explain podcast
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Exclusive
Workplace culture
‘I would kill to be sexually harassed’: Liberal stuns colleagues in meeting
Liberal Party vice president Teena McQueen left colleagues stunned during a closed-door meeting of women on the NSW branch’s code of conduct.
Exclusive
Victorian Parliament
‘No other way’: Push for gender quotas in Victorian Liberals gains momentum
Helen Kroger, chair of the Victorian Liberals’ women’s council and a former federal MP, says she will push for quotas this year because “we cannot continue as we are”.
A year in love, but lockdown leaves couple short of sunshine
Jess and Rick got together as the pandemic struck Australia. Now their plans to mark their anniversary have come unstuck due to the Brisbane outbreak.
Late arrivals from Brisbane face two-week stay at vaccine outbreak hotel
About 30 passengers who arrived in Melbourne from Brisbane after the northern city was declared a red zone will be quarantined in the hotel at the heart of Victoria’s last outbreak.
Class clowns plucked from schools to hone their comedic skills
A Melbourne International Comedy Festival program that spots talent in schools all over Australia has been nurturing young comics for 25 years. Teenagers workshop their material with a comedian, then perform on a main stage. No kidding.
Melbourne-Sydney population gap closest since 1930
The population gap between Australia’s two largest cities has narrowed to 205,000, the smallest since Don Bradman first toured England.
Updated
Energy
‘Dodged a bullet’: Residents cheer rejection of Crib Point gas import hub
Following a 3½-year campaign to stop a planned gas import terminal at Crib Point, residents were all smiles when they learnt the government had knocked back the proposal on environmental grounds.
‘I’ve done it before’: Family member revealed as likely killer of cold case victim
Barbara Ellen Dawson’s naked body was found bound at Altona North in 1980. Now, a prime suspect in another woman’s disappearance has been revealed as her likely killer.
Exclusive
Myanmar coup
‘Tipping point’: Rudd among 45 ex-leaders calling for Myanmar intervention
The former heads of government are imploring the United Nations to act to stop the military killing spree.
Beijing approves sweeping electoral shake-up for Hong Kong
Chinese authorities have said the changes are aimed at getting rid of loopholes and deficiencies that threaten national security.
Local
‘Cautiously pleased’: Yarra ditches plan to hike sports ground fees
Yarra City Council has abandoned a proposal to charge local sports clubs more for using its facilities in the hours before voting on the matter.
Byron in ‘state of flux’ ahead of Bluesfest, school holidays
Crowds are still expected to descend on Byron Bay this weekend, just days after a COVID-positive bachelorette party triggered alerts for a number of popular venues.
Notorious au pair to plead guilty to child stealing charges
The lawyer for Samantha Azzopardi says a plan to fight the charges in court has been dropped, and she now plans to admit to her offending next month.
Strip-searches of Russell Street bomber were ‘inherently demeaning’, court rules
In a decision that could prompt an overhaul of search powers in prison, the Supreme Court has ruled some strip-searches of Craig Minogue were unlawful and in breach of his human rights.
Updated
Caddick disappearance
Melissa Caddick’s victims may recoup $8m if assets sold, court told
The corporate regulator appeared in court to withdraw the raft of criminal charges against missing fraudster in the wake of her presumed death.
ARE FAMILIES SAFER?
‘This work is not done’: Children still dying amid family violence
Five years after the Royal Commission into Family Violence delivered its landmark, Victorian children have been born and already died from abuse.
‘Work on that gap’: Indigenous, culturally diverse women struggle for family violence support
Five years after the Royal Commission into Family Violence, rates of violence against Indigenous women continue to increase and groups say they must plead for consistent funding.
Politics
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
States ordered to stop hoarding vaccine doses
The call came as Queensland health workers were told they must receive at least one vaccine dose before treating COVID-positive patients after the latest outbreaks in Brisbane.
Business
Opinion
Energy
AGL applies green lipstick to attract investors
What do you get when you mix a palate of brown and green? Sorry AGL the answer is still brown.
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
World
‘Our responsibility’: 23 nations back pandemic treaty idea for future emergencies
It is still an idea, but one that already has substantial backing. It could avoid some of the nationalistic decisions made this time around.
Opinion
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Property bydomain
Why your mortgage rate could rise sooner than expected
The run of record-low mortgage rates is set to come to an end, with experts warning buyers and homeowners to expect fixed-rate rises in the coming months.
Still thinking about a tree-change? Try these popular regional towns
Even as employers encourage a return to CBD offices, the chance to keep working from home a couple of days a week has prompted city dwellers to relocate.
Life & Culture
De-stress with a DIY bath bomb
Making them at home lets you control the ingredient list, and you may already have most of the ingredients in your pantry, too.
Sport
Analysis
AFL 2021
$8 million man or homeward bound: Josh Kelly’s unique choice
Josh Kelly is in an unusual position this year. If he decides to stay with GWS, they are committed to sign on a lucrative eight-year contract, a deal that was struck pre-pandemic.
Analysis
Australian cricket
After more than a year leaving captaincy talk alone, Smith ready to play his shots
Steve Smith’s declaration that he wants to be captain again will give the Australian public time to get used to the idea that he can return to the office.
‘His greatest strength has been watered down’: Can Cripps adapt to rule changes?
Carlton have confirmed that the Blues star has been playing with soreness, but Ross Lyon believes he needs to change the way he plays to get back to his best.
NBL, Phoenix allow Mitch Creek to return after court hearing re-scheduled
The NBL and the Phoenix have allowed Mitch Creek to return to the basketball court as he contests assault charges.
Perry makes bowling return in loss to New Zealand
Frances Mackay was the star for the hosts as they successfully chased a target of 130 to level the series 1-1.
Blues-Suns in Adelaide one option as AFL walks COVID tightrope
Carlton could play Gold Coast in Adelaide next round due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Queensland.
Trainers call for $9.5 million boost to Victorian races
The Australian Trainers’ Association has written to Racing Victoria, calling for an increase in prizemoney for more than 1800 races on the back of unexpected wagering growth through the coronavirus pandemic.
Have Your Say
‘Pretty dreadful’: Where to now for Carlton?
Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall discuss the Blues, who went in to their clash with the Pies as favourites but were disappointing after a spirited round-one performance.
