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Analysis
Federal politics
PM drives around Mt Panorama as Albanese spells out attack plan
The unofficial election campaign is under way - a battle between a PM in a fast touring car and an Opposition Leader saying it’s time to end the gimmicks.
Coalition, Labor gear up for five-month election campaign on trust
The Coalition will seek to tie Labor’s election prospects to support from the Greens, while Labor wants to make the poll a referendum on the Prime Minister’s character.
Ballarat’s traders shut their doors as ‘freedom’ protests take over the city
Ballarat’s traders have shut their doors, hired extra security and set up barriers as they braced for ‘freedom’ protesters who descended on the city on Sunday for a “Eureka” demonstration.
No ‘Omicron zero’ for Victoria as state remains in border lockstep with NSW
Premier Daniel Andrews says Victoria and NSW will do “everything we can” to ensure travel between the two states at Christmas.
Breaking
Vale
Celebrity gardener Peter Cundall dies at the age of 94
The much-loved former host of the ABC’s Gardening Australia has passed away following a short illness, the broadcaster confirmed.
Updated
AFL 2021
On a Sunday in December, Dees fans flock to MCG to raise a premiership cup
There were premiership players, retiring favourites and club legends, including Neale Daniher and David Neitz, on hand. It was the grand final day they all wanted.
Starc gets backing from those who matter most after Test team named
Mitchell Starc and Travis Head have been pencilled in for the final two spots as new captain Pat Cummins announced the side for the Ashes opener in Brisbane.
‘I hope it was a wake-up call’: Welfare service honoured for intervention at Hambleton House
Jane Barnes of Wintringham hopes the neglect exposed by a COVID-19 outbreak at an Albert Park care home will lead to change in the sector.
Teaching profession struggling with pandemic burnout
Teachers struggled with a lack of support during home learning, overwhelming workloads, poor pay and conditions and low public respect, new research reveals.
Opinion
Opinion
The evidence is there to help teachers with COVID catch-up
As some state governments continue to invest in tutoring schemes, if and how well students catch up through these schemes will be difficult to assess.
Lucas Walsh and Blake Cutler
Jodi Picoult: ‘My husband is the only reason I have a writing career’
“I knew if I were to increase my productivity, I couldn’t be at home with our three kids. So he left work to be the primary caretaker. Each morning, freshly ground coffee awaits me when I go upstairs to write. I have absolutely hit the jackpot.”
Should home sellers ‘Deck the Halls’ when listing at Christmas?
Australians love a good Christmas decoration, but when selling over the festive season should you keep the lights and tinsel or ditch them altogether?
Opinion
Social media
Removing social media anonymity will not solve problem of trolls
The best way to get rid of online abuse and misinformation is to regulate the business model that amplifies this.
Rys Farthing and Dhakshayini Sooriyakumaran
WEEKEND READS
By the book: Good Weekend’s Christmas reading guide
Rich stories that transport you away from the mundane abound at this end of the year.
Opinion
And just like that, the Sex in the City reboot fails women over 40
From what I’ve seen thus far, the new series appears to be tone-deaf on what women really wear and genuinely find inspiring.
Kellie Hush
Local
‘Stolen laptop’: Liquidators of collapsed Melbourne crypto company pursue bitcoin millions
Administrators of a failed cryptocurrency company based in Melbourne are pursuing millions in missing bitcoin claimed to be on a stolen laptop overseas.
Daniel Andrews on Victoria’s pandemic ‘triumph’
In a rare and expansive one-on-one interview, the Premier questioned if state Coalition MPs wanted political violence to stem from anti-government protests.
Yes, post-lockdown traffic on local roads is just as bad as you think it is
The days of empty roads during lockdown are over, with the number of cars returning to pre-lockdown levels — sometimes higher.
Why is your Uber Eats order taking so long to arrive?
Getting a hot meal on time has become more expensive and difficult in recent months in Melbourne.
Mystery buyer splashes $9.175 million on Albert Park home auction
A four-bedroom Victorian terrace in Albert Park sold for $2.575 million above the top end of the price guide.
SEE AND DO
What’s with Mona Foma’s organ obsession? 2022 program revealed
Tasmania’s 2022 Mona Foma arts festival will be the usual grab bag of the outrageous, the intriguing and the just plain fun. With Midnight Oil.
The enduring elegance of Chanel triumphs at the NGV
The designer’s controversial glamour dominates a show dedicated to her talent.
Politics
Exclusive
Federal politics
‘He voted with Barnaby Joyce every time’: Why GP decided to run in blue-ribbon seat
A letterbox drop by incumbent Liberal Jason Falinski inspired local GP Sophie Scamps to run against him as an independent in the seat of Mackellar.
Business
From Tony McNamara to Dolly Parton: The people that Deborah Knight admires
The radio host aspired to be a singer like Olivia Newton John or a gymnast like Nadia Comaneci.
Opinion
Home loans
The cheapest mortgage interest rates for property investors
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Money contributor
Opinion
Work therapy
Lengthy stints at one workplace mean different things to different people
Jonathan Rivett
Opinion
Sharemarket
What Omicron? Why (and how) I bought shares this week...
Jessica Irvine
Senior economics writer
World
‘It absolutely wakes you up’: Headbanger Prince William reveals he is a secret AC/DC fan
Prince William has spoken about his favourite songs, sharing stories about his mother, his children and his personal routines.
Opinion
Is this the secret to saving humanity?
Dewi Cooke
Melbourne writer
Explore
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Property
Mystery buyer splashes $9.175 million on Albert Park home at hot auction
A four-bedroom Victorian terrace in Albert Park sold for $2.575 million above the top end of the price guide, while other homes passed in on a weekend that revealed the property market’s extremes.
Analysis
Hotels
Living the suite life: What it’s really like to live in a hotel year-round
Ever wondered what it might be like to live in a hotel or holiday resort all year round? An increasing number of Australians are doing just that, in homes offering the best of both worlds.
Lifestyle
Christmas Gift guide: best fashion, tech, home
Looking for perfect presents for your loved ones? Our bumper Christmas gift guide has all the inspiration you need.
Culture
‘I was so horribly nervous’: Rachel Zegler on her first scene in West Side Story
The actress first saw West Side Story at six. Now, the 20-year-old is starring in Steven Spielberg’s screen adaptation. And it’s just the first of several big roles.
Opinion
Private Sydney
Armchair critics keep doubting Nicole Kidman, but she’ll have the last laugh
Andrew Hornery
Private Sydney Columnist
Sport
Analysis
Australian cricket
Australia gamble on Head, Harris ahead of Khawaja
Selection chair George Bailey has to a degree adopted a “no surprises” approach to the first Test match squad, and he has also opted for potential over proven performance.
No complacency: Viney says season-opening GF rematch the perfect motivator
A grand final rematch to open the season is the perfect motivator for Melbourne’s premiership players, according to Jack Viney.
Starc gets backing from those who matter most after Test team named
Mitchell Starc and Travis Head have been pencilled in for the final two spots as new captain Pat Cummins announced the side for the Ashes opener in Brisbane.
Updated
AFL 2021
Melbourne greats on hand as Demons fans flock to see team lift cup
On a December, not September, afternoon, and a Sunday rather than a Saturday, Melbourne fans finally had their chance to see the elusive premiership cup raised at the MCG.
Verstappen makes costly error as Hamilton takes pole
We were promised drama in Saudi Arabia this week, and boy did we get it. Lewis Hamilton took pole while Max Verstappen was forced to trudge back to the pits after what could prove the costliest error of the young Dutchman’s career.
Updated
New Zealand
Kiwi spinner Patel takes all 10 wickets against India
New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel became only the third bowler to pick up all 10 wickets in an innings in international cricket, achieving the feat against India in the second Test.
Socceroos urged to pick Totti’s Aussie protege
Cristian Volpato was told by two A-League clubs he wasn’t good enough. On Saturday night, he made his professional debut for Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma - against Inter Milan, no less, in one of the biggest fixtures on the Serie A calendar.
Have Your Say
The modern template to beating Australia at home
Once unbeatable at home, Australia have lost six Test series on home soil in the last 13 years. Have India and South Africa provided a road map for the English to win the Ashes?
