Opinion
Opinion
Political leadership
Scott Morrison’s the man for optimistic narratives but one day Australia will need hard truths
A conversation about what risk the nation is prepared to live with is coming but can this government do it with the honesty and complexity required?
- by Sean Kelly
Latest
Opinion
ABC
ABC versus the government is a song that remains the same
Tensions between the ABC and the government have once again boiled over, despite Scott Morrison’s intentions to steer well clear of the ABC controversies his predecessors delighted in stoking.
- by Stephen Brook
Opinion
Science
Embryo research law needs tweaking to catch up with science
Australia needs to revise its legislation around research into early human life, to reflect new international recommendations and allow crucial breakthroughs to happen.
- by John Carroll
Opinion
Wage growth
Morrison needs the gumption to save business (and the unions) from their folly
It would be bad for our economy for us to stay a hermit kingdom. But it’s wrong to imagine that re-opening our borders would immediately strengthen the recovery given low wage growth.
- by Ross Gittins
LETTERS
Letters
It’s up to all of us to hold our leaders to account
Age readers discuss ministerial responsibility, personal responsibility and relative risk.
CBD
City life
New partner in the Frydenberg family
The wife of the Treasurer is celebrating a major work promotion.
- by Stephen Brook and Samantha Hutchinson
Editorial
Coronavirus pandemic
Global approach to vaccination will deliver long-term dividends
Resources committed today to combat COVID-19 will deliver a healthy return in years to come.
- The Age's View
Opinion
AFL 2021
Four Points: Dreams realised on Perth’s biggest stage
At Optus Stadium on Saturday night was an event bigger than the game itself, and one that has gained a solid foothold in the imagination of the football-following public. It was the whole event, not just the contest, that drew people to the game.
- by Michael Gleeson
Opinion
Education
To improve Australian schools, cut-and-paste won’t cut it
Adopting the practices of high-performing nations on PISA will not, on its own, improve Australia’s educational performance.
- by Peter Adams
Opinion
Life in Lockdown
How Melbourne became A Quiet Place and now I’m stuck in a horror movie
I saw A Quiet Place II a week and a half ago, and the next morning I was plunged into my very own real-life horror movie called A Quiet Place II: Return to Lockdown.
- by Danny Katz
Opinion
Test cricket
The fundamental issue with England’s Test team
England have got it the wrong way round. The main pace bowlers are above 30, while the batsmen are green about the gills.
- by Scyld Berry
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
No jab, no say: Either join the fight to keep us all safe, or stop complaining
Complacency by the public but more so by bureaucrats and political leaders has been our weakest link.
- by Jon Faine
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Morrison government has to do its job better before mandating vaccinations
The cornerstone of a legitimate vaccine mandate is that you don’t mandate until you’ve exhausted other options.
- by Dr Katie Attwell
Opinion
Royal family
Joining the dots between the Queen’s racism scandal, Meghan and other women scorned
When women dare to speak out, the haters pile on. Would they prefer them to shut up? Do they think them liars, or merely guilty of the offence of open complaint?
- by Jacqueline Maley
Opinion
ABC
‘Make your point without stooping so low’: Ita Buttrose calls out Michael Kroger’s cancel-culture attack
Responding to Michael Kroger’s outrageous outburst this week, Ita told me she has deep concerns about the tone of public debate.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
Press freedom
For we are one and ... safe: how Australia surrenders its liberty by tiptoeing around press freedom
Raids on journalists provoked public alarm and a parliamentary inquiry – all to little effect.
- by Jonathan Holmes
Analysis
NRL 2021
NRL should pay Jack de Belin’s wage, says Dragons sponsor
Norm Black has called on the NRL to pay banned players directly if they are sidelined under the game’s controversial no-fault stand-down policy.
- by Danny Weidler
Punctuation saves lives, words nourish faith
My grammar obsession dates back decades. In previous lives I lectured theology students on grammar so they could learn Greek, as well as newspaper sub-editors.
- by Barney Zwartz
Opinion
Private Sydney
So white, not right: Nine’s good intentions let down by poor execution
In its rush to get its vaccine campaign on the air, the network overlooked the importance of on-screen diversity.
- by Andrew Hornery
Analysis
ALP
MPs lose patience with Albanese as Labor faces fourth term in opposition
As a federal election approaches, there is growing talk in Labor about how to turn things around - and if Anthony Albanese is the right person to do it.
- by James Massola
Analysis
Coronavirus pandemic
Why Melbourne? The answer to lockdowns doesn’t lie in demographic differences to Sydney
The idea that behavioural differences between the cities explain COVID transmission is seductive, but doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
- by Michael Koziol
Opinion
Tax deductions
Tax tips: How to maximise your working-from-home deductions
There are three potential methods to calculate your working-from-home tax deductions. Here’s how to figure out which is best for you.
- by Jessica Irvine
Opinion
Kids & money
How much pocket money should you pay your kids?
The secret to your childrens’ future financial is to give them a savings mentality early in life.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Opinion
Retirement living
Do your sums carefully before tapping equity in your home
There are three main ways to release property equity – sell the house and downsize, take out a reverse mortgage or embrace a home equity release scheme.
- by Noel Whittaker
Opinion
Ask an expert
Complex superannuation recontribution rules explained
If you do not have a pension account, you can withdraw any non-preserved benefits from your super accumulation fund and recontribute it, subject to the amount you had in super at the previous June 30.
- by George Cochrane
Opinion
AFL 2021
Comebacks, new blood and Demons galore in All-Australian mid-year team
While Richmond have long personified the cliche of champion team, Melbourne appear more propelled by star power. In my mid-year All-Australian team for 2021, the Demons have six of the 22.
- by Jake Niall
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Locked down, again, in Victoria we should do what we can to stay afloat
Eat the cheese and biscuits in the tub on the phone to a friend, or have raspberry cake for breakfast. I recommend both.
- by Wendy Tuohy
Opinion
Archibald Prize
Salon des Refusés 2021: Disappointing, familiar and a few obvious duds
By now I ought to know better, but I’m always hopeful that some undreamt-of masterpiece might turn up in the Salon.
- by John McDonald
COVID-19’s return to aged care homes puts spotlight on workforce
It has emerged this week that fighting coronavirus in Melbourne’s aged care homes is as much about workplace relations as it is about health.
- by Clay Lucas
Opinion
Aged care
No care, no responsibility: Morrison government’s stark pandemic failures in aged homes
The federal government has some clear responsibilities in dealing with the pandemic. Its lapses in aged care homes are plain to see, but who is accountable?
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
Parenting
No regrets: Why you should have children as soon as you can
Yes, we lose control of our lives when we have children but that’s not everything.
- by Jenna Price
Analysis
AFL 2021
Craig Kelly, the kingmaker behind the scenes of the Pies drama
Craig Kelly’s kingmaking role in the unfolding fiasco at Collingwood remains one of the more intriguing elements of the multi-layered saga.
- by Caroline Wilson
Opinion
Cyber warfare
Meat giant JBS’ cyber woes lay bare a dangerous reality
A cyber attack from a criminal network in Russia has thrown the spotlight on the rampant consolidation of the food industry and JBS’ growing global footprint.
- by Adele Ferguson
Opinion
MyCareer
When it comes to spontaneous networking, nothing beats planning it
Discovering chance connections - or creating them - can have beneficial career spin-offs.
- by Jim Bright
Editorial
Gaming & wagering
How Crown has met social responsibilities is what really counts
Is the casino operator a good corporate citizen or does it pursue profit without concern for the social costs?
- The Age's View
The Fitz Files
Opinion
There can be no horsing around on concussion, Joey
Peter V’landys gets it. Phil Gould does not. And I reckon you are a work in progress, Andrew Johns.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Morrison turns down the snark on the states that could erase his majority of one
There is real jeopardy for the Coalition in aggravating voters in the states and regions that could turn the next election.
- by George Megalogenis
Opinion
Review
Game on: artist loose in the State Library concocting wild fantasies
In the exhibition Fake Truths, artist-in-residence Hadyn Wilson has magicked up bogus letters, relationships and even a philosophy session with Rupert Bear.
- by John McDonald
Analysis
Please Explain podcast
Australia’s highest stakes defamation trial
The Age Editor Gay Alcorn is joined by The Age investigative journalist Nick McKenzie to examine the upcoming defamation trial brought by Ben Roberts-Smith against The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald and the issues at stake.
- by Tory Maguire
Opinion
Trends
Welcome to the new Zillennial overlords. But try not to laugh at my jeans
It’s time to make room for a bolder, more open generation that’s seeking to make the world a better place for everyone.
- by Jan Fran
Analysis
FIFA World Cup
With Kuwait gone in 60 seconds, Socceroos well placed for bigger tests
The result was all but sealed inside a minute so Australia’s win over Kuwait was of more interest for what it says about Graham Arnold’s side going forward.
- by Dominic Bossi
Opinion
Cryptocurrencies
Losing its lustre: Bitcoin’s ‘digital gold’ status dealt a blow
A rout for the digital coin has damaged its reputation as a safe haven from rising inflation.
- by Sam Benstead
Opinion
Defamation
Ben Roberts-Smith: A war-crimes trial masquerading as defamation action
Starting Monday, this trial is the biggest defamation action in living memory.
- by Matt Collins
Opinion
Naked City
How ex-cops and lawyers formed a team to chase down stolen savings
Having seen lawyers “stuff up” straightforward fraud cases, and criminal prosecutions drag out for years, Andrew Tragardh decided on a new approach.
- by John Silvester
Opinion
GDP
Spin and reality collide on Australia’s road to economic recovery
When it comes to talking about the economy, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has an inability to stop himself laying it on too thick.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
French Open
Focus on dance between press and stars misses point of Naomi’s saga
Unlike many reporters, I don’t think Naomi Osaka ought to be compelled to give a press conference after losing a tennis match. But that’s not the real issue here.
- by Malcolm Knox
Opinion
Super Netball
Netballers on fast track to parity with footballers on copping social media abuse
Giants captain Jo Harten is just the latest netballer to be on the receiving end of attacks from social media trolls.
- by Liz Ellis
Opinion
Indigenous
Once scorned, the fighting men of Budj Bim soar high
A giant mural on the town of Heywood’s water tower honours the memory of Gunditjmara soldiers.
- by Tony Wright
Opinion
World markets
Why you shouldn’t ignore the AMC share frenzy
Dismiss the AMC whirlwind at your peril. It is part of a much wider phenomenon that is a sign of the changing investment landscape.
- by Mohamed A. El-Erian