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Opinion newsletter
A weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform.
Live
Federal budget
Australia ‘roaring back to life’, but pandemic to cost government $600b in budget deficits
Mental health, disability funding and job training schemes have already emerged as winners from the 2021 federal budget.
Latest live posts
LoadingCreation of 250,000 jobs at heart of budget designed to turbocharge the economy
The Treasurer put the jobs goal at the heart of a federal budget that seeks to accelerate the economy and secure a pandemic recovery.
Analysis
Scott Morrison
Missed it by that much: good effort at marketing misses the main chance
They coulda been contenders. But Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg let it escape them.
Federal budget: The winners and losers
The government has splashed cash on aged care, childcare rebates and infrastructure, but we could all lose out in the long term.
Analysis
Josh Frydenberg
The budget marries pandemic and politics with a half-trillion dollar prenuptial agreement
The pandemic has given the government licence to spend big, to dream large, and to do it in a way that the country needs. And licence to do it in good time for its re-election campaign.
Consumer spending delivers NSW $7 billion GST windfall over four years
Unexpectedly high GST receipts are a win for the NSW Treasury, while the state will also benefit from the federal government’s investment in major projects.
Women get $3.4b for jobs, domestic violence and sexual harassment
The new spending measures include $1.9 billion earmarked for economic security, $1.1 billion for safety initiatives tackling violence and harassment and $352 million for health and wellbeing.
Billions flow into struggling aged care homes awaiting major law reforms
Billions of dollars will be immediately pumped into aged care providers to keep them afloat until major law reforms aimed at ensuring quality care.
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Why the over-50s shouldn’t envy those who can get the Pfizer jab at Homebush
Based on the real-life data from the UK and other countries, AstraZeneca is proving its worth.
Holly Seale and Jane Frawley
Vaccination rates rebound as Sydney hub opens
Up to 2379 people received the Pfizer vaccine at the hub on Monday - more than a third of the 6297 inoculated by NSW Health statewide.
New rules for travellers from Melbourne following new case
NSW Health has introduced new rules for anyone entering the state that has been in Melbourne.
Multimillion-dollar government ‘rort’ laid bare before ICAC
The extended family of a Roads and Maritime Services worker was handed rigged government contracts for years in return for tens of thousands of dollars in parties, school fees, a luxury car and international flights.
Hayne supporter fined by police after spitting outside court
A supporter of disgraced rugby league star Jarryd Hayne has been fined for spitting outside court.
Breaking
Mass shooting
Putin orders gun control review after students killed in Russian school shooting
The governor of the Tatarstan republic said that four boys and three girls in the eighth grade have died in the shooting, as Vladimir Putin orders a gun control review.
China’s population grows at slowest rate since 1961 famine
It is the long tail of the now-abolished One-Child Policy that has driven the result in the world’s most populous country. The coronavirus also played its part.
Opinion
Christine Holgate
Christine Holgate delivers revenge with rival posting
Hearing the former Australia Post chief has landed a job at a multibillion-dollar freight and parcel rival brought on a surge of “right on, sister!”
Julie Szego
Author and freelance journalist
The horrific scene that nearly broke Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins
Capturing the brutal story of The Underground Railroad for a new TV series took its toll. One moment proved so challenging, Jenkins simply walked off set.
World No.1 Barty declares she’s not the one to beat in France
Ashleigh Barty has been quick to downplay her chances for another Roland Garros title, despite enjoying a sizzling season on clay in her return to the tour.
Analysis
Please Explain podcast
What next for Jack de Belin after jury fails to reach unanimous verdict
Today on Please Explain court reporter Georgina Mitchell joins Nathanael Cooper to tell us more about the de Belin trial.
FEDERAL BUDGET 2021
Opinion
Josh Frydenberg is rolling in the red, and mighty proud of it
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, delivering a budget of record deficit and debt, seeks to turn adversity to advantage.
Tony Wright
Associate editor and special writer
Analysis
Frydenberg’s no Oprah, but sure spins the wheel of fortune
If the Treasurer wants to ditch politics, his budget could be the starting point for a life in daytime TV, giving away gifts to his viewers.
Sydney
Stereotypes about eating disorders plague treatment of Indigenous sufferers
Indigenous Australians are just as likely to experience eating disorders as others but a perception the illness is only prevalent among white girls is hampering treatment.
Thorpe to swim with Seven for the Olympics
Officially it is no comment, but Seven is set to snare the champion for its coverage.
Nurses found guilty of misconduct after Indigenous man took his own life
The nurses were meant to observe the man every 30 minutes, but for some observations he was recorded as “sleeping” when no one had gone into his room.
Medical manufacturers first to cash in on tax relief
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the $250 million program in November last year to lure domestic and international businesses to move their headquarters to NSW.
Man rescued after medical episode high above ground
Firefighters, including rope rescue crews, worked with paramedics to rescue the man with a cherry picker-style truck from a communications tower on the upper north shore.
Politics
Andrew Laming refuses to give up committee position despite vow to stand down
The embattled MP rejected Labor’s claim he had a “long history of trolling” constituents online and the Coalition voted to retain him as a parliamentary committee chair.
Business
‘Round pegs into square holes’: Stockbrokers still failing mandatory compliance test
Almost one third of participants who sat the mandatory compliance exam have failed but this figure is expected to be much higher among stockbrokers.
World
What is happening in Jerusalem and Gaza?
There’s been a rapid escalation of violence between Israelis and Palestinians this week. Here’s what you need to know.
Opinion
Proposed merger raises many red flags
Rebecca Thorpe
Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesperson
Time to revisit Australia’s golden goose
Paul Cleary
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Property bydomain
Why Australia's $30b home construction boom won't last
The take-up of HomeBuilder grants was four times more than what the government expected, but budget papers lay bare the challenge that lies ahead.
What’s missing for housing in this year’s federal budget
Analysis: There’s extra help to save a home deposit or to get into the market with a low deposit, but a big spending recovery Budget offered a chance to do more.
Life & Culture
Seth Rogen has no plans to work with James Franco again after allegations
In a new interview, Rogen said he regretted saying in 2018 that he would still work with Franco following sexual misconduct allegations against the actor.
Sport
Olympic heavyweight Huni to get just 15 per cent of cut in Gallen fight
Justis Huni knows a win over Paul Gallen could do as much for his profile as an Olympic medal. Which is why Gallen will take almost all the financial spoils.
Flanagan gets emotional talking about father before being dropped from Dogs side
Canterbury playmaker Kyle Flanagan broke down in tears during a press conference before being omitted from the starting 17 for Magic Round.
World No.1 Barty declares she’s not the one to beat in France
Ashleigh Barty has been quick to downplay her chances for another Roland Garros title, despite enjoying a sizzling season on clay in her return to the tour.
Analysis
NRL 2021
Why Brad Arthur has no qualms handing teenage son debut without a training session
Eels coach selects son for his NRL debut in a week in which he may not have a single training session with the team before Sunday’s game.
Harrison, Tizzano left out of starting side for Waratahs’ clash with Hurricanes
Two of the Waratahs’ brightest young stars are set to sit on the bench for the clash with the Hurricanes at the SCG on Friday night.
Generation next: Olyroos hoping to unearth hidden gems for Tokyo
Young Socceroos coach Gary van Egmond says he hasn’t seen a more talented crop of players since the “golden generation” of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Maguire moves Doueihi to centre in Tigers selection shock
Despite being one of the Tigers’ few shining lights this season, Adam Doueihi has been shifted from his preferred five-eighth spot.
Have Your Say
Howzat for innovation? Researchers say bamboo cricket bats could replace willow
In a development that could send shudders through the game, researchers say bamboo bats lighter, stronger and offer a larger “sweet spot” than traditional willow.