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Friday to be a ‘champagne day’ for businesses; 74 per cent of Victorians double-vaxxed
Victoria’s largest business organisation has welcomed the state government’s announcement about new, relaxed restrictions for businesses from Friday.
Opinion
Opinion
Getting out of lockdown is just like riding a bike
After getting back on the bike after an accident, what struck me (other than the ground) was how much the experience was just like getting out of lockdown.
Alice Clarke
Journalist
Breaking
Glasgow summit
Nationals accept net zero target by 2050
After a week of negotiations, Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce told Prime Minister Scott Morrison of the outcome shortly after a meeting of the Nationals party room ended on Sunday.
Comment
Emissions
Net zero pledge a defining moment, but the real test is action
A majority of Australians accept the case for net zero emissions by 2050 to prevent a greater danger from global warming. Prime Minister Scott Morrison accepts it. So does a majority of federal cabinet.
Do you have a Tasmanian convict in the family? You’re not alone
A new book tells story of the reviled ‘Vandemonians’ - Tasmanian convicts in Victoria - including an ancestor of a former federal Labor leader.
Opinion
Tragedy
Conditions on set where US filmmaker was shot sickeningly familiar to Aussie crews
The death of Halyna Hutchins is eerily similar to the death of Aussie stunt performer Johann “Yogi” Ofner in 2017.
Kelly Wood
Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance director
‘I begged them not to put her onstage’: Winehouse’s friend
Naomi Parry helped steer Amy Winehouse’s distinctive look and supported her through good times and bad. Ten years on from Amy’s death, Parry looks back.
Car seen on Blow Holes Road around time Cleo went missing
The lead investigator into the disappearance of Cleo Smith says a car was spotted near the Blowholes Road campsite on the morning she went missing.
‘We’d love no pink or blue’: the rise of gender-neutral toys
Toys such as pink play kitchens or building sets with images of boys are restricting children’s development.
Australia’s $40 billion question: Will international students return?
International students have been left in a vulnerable position during the pandemic, but Australia has high hopes for reviving its third-biggest export industry.
‘Needle spiking’ of women in Britain stirs alarm over new kind of assault
A number of police forces in England are investigating reports of women unknowingly being injected with syringes at crowded night spots.
Analysis
Royal family
‘Remarkably good at her job’: Why the Queen is already back at work after hospital stay
She may be 95 years old, but the Queen holds fast to the concept that a monarch must be seen to be believed.
Jennie Bond
Britain reports most weekly COVID-19 cases since ‘freedom day’
Soaring COVID-19 cases are causing worries in Britain, and have led to a tightening of restrictions across many nations in Europe.
Coodabeen Champions to end long stint on ABC Radio team
Like ageing footballers, the Coodas had a series of one-year contracts over the past decade and have decided to take their show to a commercial station.
The 5am habits of radio programmer Gemma Fordham
When Gemma Fordham isn’t running Fox FM or 2DayFM, she’s deep into a season of Ted Lasso or asking her kids to brush their teeth.
On the road: Good Weekend’s travel reading guide
Many Australian authors write evocatively about place. Here are 10 (mostly) new books that bring our land to life.
Just in
Editor's Picks
Opinion
Five Minutes with Fitz
In one word, Fran Kelly, how would you describe ... Barnaby Joyce?
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
Opinion
Climate policy
Natural contrarian to ‘facilitator-in-chief’, but Barnaby Joyce is stronger on the attack
Michelle Grattan
Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
WEEKEND READS
‘I’m neither man nor woman, but I must pretend’
I just want to pee and then watch a movie, not have my identity scrutinised by strangers. And no matter which option I choose, I’ll be misgendering myself.
How to future-proof family photos to exclude peripheral folk
The most tactful solution is to take two photos – one excluding the “blow-ins” no one will remember in 10 years’ time.
Local
Exclusive
Art
Aussie art dealer admits to multimillion-dollar frauds over Bacon, Basquiat works
Globe-trotting art dealer Andy Valmorbida revealed he used forged documents to borrow millions against artwork he did not own in a case brought against him in a notorious tax haven.
The global supply chain is on its knees, with parcels backed up everywhere
The integration of the global supply chain has served the world well for years. However, it’s now under pressure just as the economy recovers.
‘We’re not all toothless farmers waiting out the drought!’
As more people eye off life outside the capital cities, three publications are putting rural Australia on the media map. And there’s not a lace doily in sight.
Rebates for COVID-19 ‘deep clean’ driving up prices, businesses say
Cleaning companies say “COVID-19 deep clean” costs have jumped since introduction of rebate for businesses that become exposure sites.
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
Victoria records 1748 new local COVID-19 cases as Andrews flags more freedoms
Victoria has recorded 1748 new local cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths, as the Victorian government considers additional freedoms once the state hits its 80 per cent double vaccination target.
Coronavirus pandemic
Exclusive
A woman offered a bribe to fake her vaccination. Then the unexpected happened
As Australia surpasses a first dose rate of more than 86%, doctors and pharmacists say discussions they are having with patients still yet to receive their first vaccine dose are becoming more challenging.
Scramble for hospitality workers may mean better wages – and higher prices
Pubs, bars and restaurants are offering workers their pick of shifts and roles and hourly rates in some cases more than $40, costs a key industry body said would have to be passed on to patrons.
Politics
Opinion
Social media
Social media and elections: a tricky topic that needs to be tackled
Reforms to social media platforms, particularly with respect to elections, can be achieved without trammelling free speech.
John Pesutto
Former Victorian shadow attorney-general
Business
After ‘watershed moment’, second US Bitcoin fund makes quiet debut
It always helps to be first, and the US group launching the second Bitcoin Futures ETF have found that out the hard way.
World
Turkey risks deep rift with West as Erdogan orders removal of 10 ambassadors
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan says he has told his foreign ministry to expel the ambassadors of the United States, NZ and other Western countries for demanding the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala.
Opinion
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Property bydomain
Regional Victoria rental boom out-pricing Melburnian tenants
When this couple decided to leave their inner-city apartment, they thought the move to Wangaratta would be an easy one. They were wrong.
The suburb that went from wowserish to most wanted
Boring? Not anymore! This location has sophisticated wine bars, restaurants and homewares boutiques to complement its sizeable blocks.
Lifestyle
Hot and new Melbourne restaurants for end-of-lockdown celebrations (and more)
From casual catch-ups to splash-out dinners, these are some of best new places to put back on your radar as Melbourne reopens.
Culture
Art galleries will reopen soon, but will they ever be the same?
The director of the Anna Schwartz Gallery is planning the return of exhibitions. But the new normal won’t be like the old.
Sport
Langer expects runs to be at a premium in T20 World Cup
Justin Langer expects more low-scoring matches and tight finishes in the T20 World Cup after Australia scrambled home against South Africa.
Analysis
Cricket World Cup
Australia rewrite blueprint to come up with winning Twenty20 formula
Australia made several significant changes to their strategy, dominating South Africa’s batsmen in their T20 World Cup opener.
Updated
Cox Plate
‘Brush, not a bump’: Steward defends Cox Plate decision
Victoria’s top steward has shot down speculation his panel were split over whether to take the race from State Of Rest, but described the decision as a “very tight call”.
‘No pressure’: Matildas say fans were only motivation
The Matildas’ first home game in nearly two years came against a backdrop of poor form and allegations of a toxic culture, but they responded with their best display in a year.
Updated
Boxing Day Test
Andrews ‘confident’ MCG can host 80,000-plus for Test
Premier Daniel Andrews has set the goal of allowing an 80,000-plus crowd at the MCG on Boxing Day as long as vaccination rates grow.
‘Unreal’ Cox Plate win hard to believe, says Allen
After wins like Saturday’s with State Of Rest, more doors will open for Irish jockey Johnny Allen.
Exclusive
A-League
A-Leagues set for $130 million payday with equity sale to US firm
The new owners and operators of the A-League Men and A-League Women are in the advanced stages of talks to sell a significant stake of the competitions.
Have Your Say
Get the jab or skip a slam: does professional tennis have a vaccination problem?
The annual tennis-fest at Melbourne Park represents a sudden reality for pro tennis players: get vaccinated, or go without.
