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Expert daily insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Adoptions fall to 30-year low amid court delays, border closures
There were 264 adoptions finalised in Australia in 2020–21, the fewest since national reporting began in 1990–91.
Morrison sidelines Tudge, Hunt quits and key bills stall
A political storm has forced the PM to sideline a minister as the government struggled to gain ground on key bills and both parties prepared election attack lines.
NSW hospital ‘will close beds’ due to staff shortage
Health executives were grilled about the condition of hospitals in the state’s far west at a parliamentary inquiry on Thursday.
School reunion cluster grows to 19, as SA adjusts to life after COVID-zero
Forty years after graduating, Adelaide’s Henley High School Class of 1981 gathered to celebrate. But unknown to the 47 attendees, COVID-19 had joined the party.
Fears child caught Omicron on flight as eighth case confirmed
The growing case is casting doubts on the effectiveness of the state’s two-tiered quarantine system for international arrivals.
Man’s body recovered after overturned kayak found
A 36-year-old man has died while kayaking on the Nepean River in the Hawkesbury.
‘Last chance to be a dad’: Greg Hunt to leave politics
After leading Australia’s health response to the pandemic, Greg Hunt will leave Parliament at the 2022 election. He says it’s time to be a “proper dad” to his children.
Dominic Perrottet launches six-cities plan for Sydney
The overhaul of a 2017 plan to divide Sydney into three “30-minute” cities will expand it to six and creating a cities minister.
Three-quarters of Sydney’s trains to be affected by strike
“Heavily reduced” services will operate on multiple lines on December 7, the NSW government says.
China’s dilemma: Other sports pushed to follow women’s tennis on Peng
Peng Shuai’s situation is emblematic of growing concern over China’s authoritarian power, sport in politics and the 2022 Winter Games.
Court backs Meghan in dispute with newspaper publisher
The duchess called the ruling a victory “for anyone who has ever felt scared to stand up for what’s right”.
★★★★
Review
The Lost Leonardo: an enthralling dive into art that plays like a detective story
The story of the discovery, sale and disappearance of an apparent masterpiece is a provocative look at the global art market.
WA lotto player scoops entire $80 million Powerball prize
A West Australian ticket holder has taken out the entire division one Powerball jackpot - the state’s biggest ever lottery win.
Revealed: The truth about what happens on European bus tours
This is the truth about European bus tours, the likes of Contiki and TopDeck and their ilk: not everything is real.
Biggest hits of 2021: which songs did everyone stream this year?
What’s interesting about Spotify and Apple Music’s end-of-year lists isn’t which musicians are on them – it’s the demographics they share.
SEE & DO
★★★
It’s big, loud and full of action, but Dune is a desert of mediocrity
A book that sold 20 million copies because of ideas and vision has become a movie with neither, and the incredible cast has little to do except pose.
You know him from Moulin Rouge, but now Jacek Koman will play one of theatre’s great tragic heroes
The Australian actor turned The Police’s winsome ’80s hit about a man who falls in love with a prostitute into a guttural explosion of sex appeal.
Sydney
Delay to North Sydney pool sparks concern about another budget blowout
The $64 million redevelopment is running months behind schedule as ratepayers go to the polls this weekend.
Exclusive
Maguire inquiry
NSW has footed more than $26,000 in Daryl Maguire’s ICAC legal bills
NSW taxpayers have funded more than $26,000 in legal fees for disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire while he remains the subject of a corruption probe.
Updated
Fire
Dubbo school closed after ‘significant’ fire damage to multiple rooms
Dubbo South Public School will be closed on Friday after a fire tore through multiple rooms.
Gone to the dogs: Bid to make Sydney ‘the world’s most pet-friendly’ city
Should dogs be allowed in cafes and restaurants? Meet the Sydney mayoral candidate who wants to make it so.
Updated
Tragedy
Truck driver charged over man’s death after argument on Sydney’s north shore
The man was hit by the truck following an argument as he grabbed onto the front passenger side while the truck tried to drive away, police say.
Politics
Car park pork barrelling could be repeated at 2022 election, report warns
The Coalition’s $660m car park fund was used to channel cash into key marginal seats in 2019. A Senate report warns a repeat could play out.
Business
Afterpay takeover vote delayed as it waits on Spanish bank
One of the final hurdles facing the biggest takeover in Australian history is being postponed, at the same time as Afterpay’s suitor said it would change its name.
Opinion
Mergers & acquisitions
Woolworths and Wesfarmers slug it out over wellness market
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
Opinion
Government debt
US debt drama isn’t good for America, or rest of us
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
World
Supreme Court appears ready to gut landmark Roe v Wade ruling
Gutting or overturning the landmark abortion decision would severely limit access to terminations and further supercharge America’s vicious left-right culture wars.
Opinion
If Federal Parliament were a schoolyard, you’d lock it down
Tony Wright
Associate editor and special writer
Rise in the states’ authority leaves the federal government ‘grasping for relevance’
Josh Gordon
State political correspondent
Another bad week for women in Parliament. Surprise, surprise
Meredith Burgmann
Former Labor MP and activist
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Property
Game, set and match as Lleyton Hewitt sells grand slam home
Aussie tennis ace Lleyton Hewitt and his TV-star wife Bec have sold the Toorak home they lived in for five years for between $15 million and $16 million.
Architect ‘taken aback’ by reaction to Norfolk pine-inspired building
When the scaffolding came down from a new apartment building on the Gold Coast, social media was flooded with photos taken by awestruck locals.
Lifestyle
How what we put on our skin can prevent or create allergy
The ingredients we use on our skin may be as important as what we eat and a new study helps to explain why.
Culture
Succession tinged with sadness, but bright future for Bangarra
After 32 years, Bangarra’s artistic director Stephen Page will hand over to his one-time muse Frances Rings.
Sport
Updated
Australian cricket
Carey to be a leader from first ball after replacing Paine
Alex Carey will step straight into a vital leadership role within Australia’s Test team from the moment he walks out on debut.
Warne feels for Vaughan as commentator’s Australian arrival up in air
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan is still set to feature on Fox Cricket’s Ashes coverage this summer, provided he can get to Australia after testing positive to COVID-19.
Opinion
WTA Tour
Financial loss, net gain: the WTA takes a stance
Unusually for sports administrators, the WTA are aligning their mouth to their principles, not their money.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
England all-rounder says team scandals must be off-limits on the field
Chris Woakes said the serious issues surrounding both camps shouldn’t be broached on the field no matter how heated the Ashes rivalry became.
‘Forget the gender’: Why the new-look A-League Women is glued to the men
What was once known as the W-League is now called the A-League Women. Can a new name, logo and strategy revive interest in the competition?
‘Crowning glory’: Winx Stand unveiled at Randwick, open for business on Villiers Day
The new grandstand – which is open for the price of a general admission ticket – will first be put to use at Villiers Day on Saturday week.
Football Australia chief throws support behind Gustavsson and struggling Matildas
FIFA has announced the schedule for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, confirming Sydney will host the final of the tournament and giving the city 11 matches.
Have Your Say
Elder a trailblazer who overcame racism and death threats to change the world
Lee Elder, who died on Sunday aged 87, was the man who first forged the black path down the first fairway of the exclusive clubs and elite tournaments against heavy resistance.
