The Booklist
A weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger.
Daily Crosswords
Challenge yourself with today's quick and cryptic puzzles.
Examine newsletter
Science explained and analysed with a rigorous focus on the evidence.
FEDERAL BUDGET 2021
‘Pandemic is 30 times worse than GFC’: PM
Scott Morrison has defended the government’s $74.6b spending package, saying “it’s about a pandemic, that’s what it’s about.” Follow our live coverage of national news, including reactions and fallout from the federal budget.
Opinion
Employment
Costello said Australia would never be a guest-worker state. Frydenberg is smoothing the way
This week’s budget announcement on international students is in line with a 25-year march towards becoming a guest-worker country.
Stephen Clibborn and Chris F. Wright
Opinion
Sketch
Josh Frydenberg is rolling in the red, and mighty proud of it
Tony Wright
Associate editor and special writer
COVID-19 CRISIS
Exclusive
Homelessness
Only 10% of hotel homeless in permanent homes amid property shortage
Housing Minister Richard Wynne says finding the right properties is an ongoing challenge, particularly in regional areas.
Guilty about working out at lunch? It’s saving you time
The majority of workers don’t take exercise breaks out of guilt or because they’re “too busy” despite compelling evidence showing they improve productivity.
Marred by controversy, the Philip Roth biography is a spectacular own goal
Allegations of sexual assault and impropriety against Blake Bailey make it hard to read his life of Philip Roth in the way biographer and subject may have originally intended.
Analysis
AFL 2021
Why Richmond aren’t punishing Bolton and Rioli
Once upon a time, Shai Bolton being a gun player coming off contract would probably have been grounds for cynicism at Tigerland. Not now.
Labor Party members get $200,000 defamation payout for Facebook posts
Prominent Melbourne brothers Aloke and Aakash Kumar sued for defamation over Facebook posts that accused them of raising fake member fees.
Finding a bargain: Opportunities remain for first-home buyers
First-home buyers may be disheartened by soaring property prices but there are still some suburbs in Melbourne where unit prices remain affordable.
Cheney leadership vote turns focus to post-Trump division
The vote is being widely interpreted as a sign of Donald Trump’s continuing grip over the party, despite his election loss and the Capitol riot he encouraged.
Ransomware-hit Colonial Pipeline causes panic buying
“We are asking people not to hoard,” US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said as people began panic-buying petrol. “Things will be back to normal soon.”
Dozens dead as Israel, Hamas escalate aerial bombardments
The Israeli city of Tel Aviv was under fire from a barrage of 130 rockets launched from the Gaza Strip in an attack so relentless that Israel’s Iron Dome rocket-defence system seemed to be overwhelmed.
‘We’ve broken the cycle’: Life-changing program needs funds to survive
The Tomorrow Today Foundation has provided life-changing programs in Benalla but its leaders fear it may not survive without state government funding.
Analysis
Science
A stoush over a fire study and a chilling glimpse of the future
A story about bushfires, the climate crisis, logging and contested science that shines a light on the very difficult climate choices we now face.
CBD
City life
Andrew Bogut could bankrupt his former manager
The US basketballer is locked in a dispute over unpaid monies with his former manager and friend.
FEDERAL BUDGET 2021
Splurge to create 250k jobs, cash for aged care and mental health
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is spending $74.6 billion in two years to create more than 250,000 jobs using income tax cuts, business tax breaks and a mammoth outlay on social services.
Victoria to benefit from multibillion-dollar GST windfall
The state has missed out in the federal budget on funding for two key passenger rail projects but will gain on the GST front.
Local
‘Without childcare I couldn’t work’: Mothers say time for help is now
Donna O’Neill has seen many of her female colleagues’ careers held back because the high cost of childcare. She wants that to change.
Ellie Price spoke of being ‘choked’ by boyfriend before her death, court told
A woman killed in her home, allegedly by her boyfriend, told her mother she was choked by her partner and feared she would die during an earlier Valentine’s Day holiday, a court has heard.
Education Department pleads guilty to breaches after seven-year-old’s death
Victoria’s Education Department faces being fined up to $3 million after pleading guilty to breaching safety laws over the death of a boy whose wheelchair fell from a school ramp.
Coroner investigates baby Isabella’s unexplained death
A mother has demanded answers after it was revealed her child repeatedly vomited and appeared unwell over a 22-hour period before medical help was sought.
Updated
Tragedy
‘Too late’: Friend of boy killed as bin tipped into garbage trunk tried to alert driver
South Australia Police say one of the boys started “banging on the door” of the cabin when the bin containing his two friends started to tip.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Anyone entering NSW from Melbourne must complete declaration forms
NSW Health has introduced new rules for anyone entering the state that has been in Melbourne.
New coronavirus case in Victoria: What we know so far
The Department of Health said a full public health response was under way after the man, aged in his 30s, tested positive on Tuesday morning.
Politics
Business gets $20b in tax incentives to boost investment
The budget will extend tax breaks aimed at bringing forward business investment such as spending on utes, tractors, and manufacturing equipment.
Business
Breaking
Earnings season
CBA’s quarterly profits surge to $2.4b
CBA’s March quarter profits bounced back as the banking giant cut its provisions for bad debts in response to the improving economy.
World
Putin orders gun control review after nine die in Russian school shooting
At least seven students and two school employees have been killed and many others wounded after a gunman opened fire in a school in the Russian city of Kazan.
Opinion
Explore
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Property bydomain
This Kew house with a derelict kitchen and bathroom has sold for $7.24m
It has ripped-up linoleum floors, missing bathroom tiles and water stains on the ceiling but still sold at auction for more than $1.7 million above its reserve.
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.
Life & Culture
Turning symptoms into songs, here comes COVID-19 the musical
The musical, created by bestselling novelist Jodi Picoult, includes scenes called Fever, Aches, Swelling and Irritation, Fatigue and Shortness of Breath.
Sport
Analysis
AFL 2021
Why Richmond aren’t punishing Bolton and Rioli
Once upon a time at Tigerland, the fact of Shai Bolton being a gun player coming off contract would probably have been grounds for cynicism about a non-penalty. Richmond aren’t that kind of club any longer.
Manchester City clinch third Premier League title in four seasons
Manchester United losing 2-1 to Leicester left City with an unassailable 10-point lead with three games remaining.
Hamstrung Stringer faces contract wait
Injured Essendon star Jake Stringer is without a contract for next season and rival clubs have been put on notice of his potential availability.
Updated
AFL 2021
‘Another poor decision’: Rioli to face court, may be sacked
Willie Rioli will front a Darwin court on Wednesday charged with “possessing a schedule 2 dangerous drug in a quantity less than trafficable (under 50 grams) in a public place”.
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.
Snap Shot: COVID delays Rance’s football comeback ... for now
This week in Snap Shot: Alex Rance delays local football return; Roos stalk the halls of power; and why challenging decisions is old hat.
Olyroos hoping to unearth hidden gems from Europe
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.
Have Your Say
‘Treated as fools’: Test for Hawks, Roos as Tassie fans vote with their feet
As the battle for a standalone Tasmanian AFL side continues, Saturday’s clash between Hawthorn and North Melbourne in Launceston is seen as a ‘big test’ in the support of the home-away-from-home concept.
