Opinion newsletter
A weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform.
Good Weekend podcast
Behind GW’s best features: we go deeper into our most intriguing issues.
Note from Editor
An exclusive newsletter for subscribers from Lisa Davies.
Woman whose dad died in India: ‘What nation disowns their own citizens?’
The Sydney woman said her father died from COVID-19 in India after being “abandoned” by the Australian government.
Analysis
Andrew Bolt
India ban has shamed Liberals, but not enough for many to speak out against it
The decision to make it a criminal offence for Australians to try to return home from India has shamed Coalition MPs, but they fear speaking out against it.
‘Almighty rocket explosion’: Young boys in lucky escape from Sydney crash
Three young brothers walked away unharmed from the wreckage, in what was hailed as an extraodinary escape by emergency services.
Demons dig deep to keep Swans at bay
The Swans lost no admirers in defeat but will rue a lack of polish under the sort of pressure Sydney sides of yesteryear used to apply to the opposition.
‘Minimal help, maximum hype’: Single parents housing package criticised
A Morrison government initiative to allow single parents to buy a home with a 2 per cent deposit has met a lukewarm welcome.
Updated
Andrew Laming
‘Time to go Lammo’: Crowd rallies near Laming’s office
About 150 protesters gathered in Cleveland, just metres away from Andrew Laming’s office, ahead of his return to Parliament.
War by proxy: Frydenberg’s reforms raise alarm
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has picked a fight with proxy advisers, which the government believes need greater regulation given their influence on Australia’s biggest companies.
Tigers 28 Titans 36
NRL 2021
Tigers botch the chance to honour Raudonikis ... again
After failing to do the right thing last month, the Wests Tigers had another chance to honour the late Tommy Raudonikis against the Titans.
Raiders 16 Knights 24
Match report
Second-half fadeout extends Canberra’s losing streak to five
The Raiders can expect another week of scrutiny after a 24-16 loss to Newcastle continued a disturbing inability to close out games.
Troisi seals win for Wanderers, Sydney FC held by Jets
James Troisi was the star in the Wanderers’ 5-0 thrashing of Western United, while Sydney FC were held to a 1-1 draw by the Newcastle Jets after more VAR controversy.
The ultimate outback pub crawl requires a pilot
What if you could travel across the outback visiting pubs along the way and be back at work in a week?
It’s time we moved beyond breakfast in bed for mum
The mums I know would prefer to go to the pub or cafe, be taken somewhere new or scoff madly at the idea of anyone doing anything for Mother’s Day.
To my one-year-old daughter, born at the right time
You are the wisest person I’ve ever met precisely because you came when you did. You were filled with joy even as the adults around you stressed away your first year.
The things I wish I knew before becoming a mother
When you have a baby, life becomes different. The sooner you make having time for yourself a part of your routine, the better.
NRL 2021
Cowboys 19 Broncos 18
A reliable rivalry delivers again as stars rise to save Cowboys
Updated
Roosters star still in hospital, Brown facing three-week ban
The NRL has wasted no time axing the bunker officials who failed to pick up a couple of key incidents during the Roosters-Eels clash.
Two years after hitting rock bottom, Panthers producing special kind of magic
It is impossible to think that just two years ago Penrith were headed for the wooden spoon. They’ve come a long way since then.
Sydney
Exclusive
Exhibitions
Pitch to turn Powerhouse Ultimo into design hub
Sydney philanthropist Gene Sherman has called for the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo to be dedicated to design, decorative arts and fashion.
Opinion
NSW byelection
The three issues to decide NSW byelection – and next federal poll too
There are many parallels between the NSW Upper Hunter and the concerns of voters in the rest of Australia.
Parnell Palme McGuinness
Columnist and communications adviser
Exclusive
Cycling
Sydney’s pop-up bike paths prove to be the wheel deal
The cycleways, installed to help commuters return to work during the pandemic, have become so popular that may become permanent.
‘Choke point’: Second harbour tunnel crossing deemed a national priority
The Western Harbour Tunnel is needed to avoid traffic delays worsening along Sydney’s key north-south road corridor, says infrastructure expert.
NSW students lag Australia and world in learning second language: teachers
Public primary schools are only given funding for a language teacher if there are a significant number of native speakers in the local community.
WEEKEND READS
Testing our defences: is hotel quarantine the nation’s Achilles heel?
Howard Springs is the gold standard, but it’s hard to replicate inside hotels. Is there a better way to gradually open up to the world?
Should I have slopped sunscreen on a struggling stranger?
Applying lotion to someone’s back is an intimate thing to do. Even with family you’d do a scan first, checking for any crusty rashes.
Politics
How the closed border helped save the local economy
When the pandemic hit, Australians were barred from leaving the country. With nowhere to go, would-be travellers have become pivotal to this year’s budget.
Business
Bank boom: Big four profits snap back from COVID-19 threat
This time last year, NAB chief executive Ross McEwan was bracing for what many thought would be the worst economic crisis since the 1930s Great Depression.
World
Lost at sea: Rare grey whale lost in the Med baffles experts
With global warming opening northern routes, it is believed “Wally” became lost and swam into the Atlantic via the Arctic.
Opinion
Explore
Got a news tip?
Share information with our journalists securely and confidentially. Learn more
Property bydomain
'We feel very sad': Moving on from a classic Sydney house
One of the city's rapidly dwindling cache of classic Beachcomber houses has come up for sale – from the woman who helped turn them into icons.
'Easy way out': Home buyer schemes do little for supply, experts warn
The government will go guarantor on more loans for first-home buyers and single parents, and expand super savings for homes. But who is being left behind?
Life & Culture
Burn, baby, burn: 2021’s most extraordinary film tosses rule book on the fire
Chilean director Pablo Larrain isn’t interested in happy endings and works very hard on mystery.
Sport
Reds 19 Brumbies 16
Match report
O’Connor try after the siren seals Reds win in thrilling final
In one of the greatest finishes Australian rugby has seen, the Reds, well into extra-time, crossed the paint through the team’s inspirational leader.
Tigers 28 Titans 36
NRL 2021
‘That was embarrassing’: Tigers botch chance to honour Raudonikis ... again
After failing to do the right thing last month, the Wests Tigers had another chance to honour the late Tommy Raudonikis against the Titans.
Demons dig deep to keep Swans at bay
There will come a point this year when long-suffering Melbourne fans allow themselves to dream. That moment cannot be too far away after the Demons held off a late challenge from Sydney.
Cowboys 19 Broncos 18
Match report
A reliable rivalry delivers again as stars rise to save Cowboys
Valentine Holmes and Jason Taumalolo would make the telling plays as the Cowboys came from behind to beat the Broncos 19-18 in a thriller in Townsville.
‘The Games will go ahead’: Coates shuts down talk of Tokyo cancellation
IOC vice-president John Coates said there was no ‘hypotheticals’ being entertained as he backed a vaccine program plus health protocols to see Tokyo succeed.
Raiders 16 Knights 24
NRL 2021
Another second-half fadeout extends Canberra’s losing streak to five
The Raiders can expect another week of scrutiny after a 24-16 loss to Newcastle continued a disturbing inability to close out games.
Vintage Troisi display seals big win for Wanderers, as Sydney FC held by Jets
James Troisi was the star in the Wanderers’ 5-0 thrashing of Western United, while Sydney FC were held to a 1-1 draw by the Newcastle Jets after more VAR controversy.
Have Your Say
Why the Wallabies are now favourites against France
A few months ago, I said Australia should not expect to win a match in their upcoming three-Test series against France. I’d like to retract those comments.