Australia Votes newsletter
Jacqueline Maley cuts through the noise of the federal election campaign.
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Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees.
Culture Fix newsletter
A cultural guide to going out and loving Sydney.
Election fight over economy fires up as jobless rate nears 50-year low
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese have clashed over who can best keep people in jobs while delivering real wage rises, as unemployment reached 3.9 per cent.
Leaders make last ditch visits as they race to a minority government
One Liberal party insider believes the race is to 74 lower house seats – two short of the required majority – as both parties are counting on two crossbench supporters.
Updated
Australia votes
‘No protection owed’: PM accused of misleading voters on Biloela family
Critics swiftly refuted Scott Morrison’s claim that the government could not issue visas to the family.
Latest polling shows comfortable Labor win; Howard defends PM over Solomons deal
The final IPSOS poll before the election forecasts a win for Anthony Albanese on Saturday, putting Labor ahead of the Coalition, 53 to 47 per cent.
Analysis
Analysis
Debt, deficits await taxpayers no matter who wins
The lack of commitment to real budget repair – and the absolute commitment to winning an election – is evident in what both sides are dangling before voters at taxpayers’ expense.
Chris Dawson’s ex-wife denies she’s on a ‘mission to destroy’ him
Under cross-examination at Chris Dawson’s murder trial, his former student and second wife JC dismissed the suggestion she was determined to destroy him.
New train fleet could be on the tracks within months after years-long standoff
The NSW government will consider making modifications to its long-delayed intercity fleet after weeks of tense negotiations with rail unions over safety concerns.
After historic vote, voluntary assisted dying is legalised
Twenty years after it was first debated in parliament, NSW on Thursday became the final state in Australia to introduce assisted dying laws.
‘I mean Ukraine!’: George W Bush confuses Iraq with Ukraine
The famously tongue-tied politician spearheaded the 2003 invasion of Iraq on suspicion - proved wrong - that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction.
Updated
Sharemarket
Billions wiped off ASX after Wall Street carnage
The Australian sharemarket made up some ground but couldn’t hold on to its four-day winning streak, with almost every sector closing in the red.
Why Zelensky could defeat Putin by the end of the year
Russia’s depleted and demoralised army has been routed on many fronts. But the final contest will be fought along the Donbas’ contact line where the war began.
Opinion
Cryptocurrencies
Nothing polarises the investment world quite like cryptocurrencies
It has been a wild and messy ride for recent investors and a hugely profitable one for those that got in early and out in time.
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
PM’s Cook electorate records first $20 million trophy sale days out from election
As the prime minister tries to reassure voters his super for first home buyers policy won’t further fuel the property boom, his Cook electorate has claimed its first trophy home sale in the rarefied $20 million range.
Detective in de Belin rape case under internal investigation
The detective was criticised for his conduct in the investigation but the judge ultimately allowed the case to proceed.
Nine tenths of the score: Stat Parramatta Eels live and die by
Statistics over the past three NRL seasons show a win or loss for Parramatta can be all but taken to the bank based on their opening 20 minutes.
Ewan McGregor’s terrifying encounter on the Obi-Wan Kenobi set
Returning to the Star Wars universe after two decades, the award-winning actor confronted Darth Vader - and his childhood nightmares - for the first time.
Be a maverick: the new rules of Top Gun dressing
Bomber jackets and jeans are out as a new generation of flyboys hit new style heights at the Cannes premiere of Top Gun: Maverick.
Australia votes 2022
Doctors warn lives are at risk, call for summit with new health minister
Peak medical bodies say the next federal health minister must convene a hospital summit to address the crisis putting lives at risk.
Explainer
Australia votes
Why do elections cost nearly $400m to run? It starts with 4.5 million pencils
Running an election is a mammoth logistics operation, from the 100,000 temporary staff to the handling of the 60 million ballot papers – and all of that costs money.
Sydney
Soldier allegedly bullied by Ben Roberts-Smith was below standard, court told
A friend of Ben Roberts-Smith has defended the war veteran against accusations that he bullied a comrade.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Katie, 34, died after getting vaccinated. Her parents want action
Katie Lees died from an extremely rare blood clotting disorder just 11 days after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Catholic school teachers vote to strike over pay and conditions
More than 17,000 teachers and support staff at 540 Catholic diocesan schools in NSW and the ACT voted to strike on May 27.
Principals say they are suffering from parents’ hate campaigns
Almost nine out of 10 principals say student or parent misuse of social media is having an impact on their wellbeing and workload.
Man charged with bestiality after allegedly breaking into Sydney school
The 43-year-old will appear in court after being arrested at a school in St Marys.
See & Do
This graphic novel won NSW’s biggest book prize – now’s the time to read it
Safdar Ahmed’s Still Alive: Notes from Australia’s Immigration Detention System, details the psychological toll on refugees inside Australia’s system of mandatory and indefinite detention.
With new albums, Arcade Fire and The Black Keys try to recapture old magic
With their new albums, the ’00s indie stalwarts try to reclaim what made them interesting in the first place. Arcade Fire and The Black Keys: A mixed return for the old guard of indie
Politics
Coalition’s super-for-housing policy could cost all fund holders: industry
Industry Super chief executive Bernie Dean said Australians could be left tens of thousands of dollars worse off because of the scheme.
Business
Woodside shareholders back BHP buy but blast climate plan
Woodside shareholders have overwhelmingly approved its acquisition of BHP’s oil and gas business, but almost half rejected its plans to address climate change.
World
‘Shift to higher gear’: Philippines’ Bongbong Marcos talks up closer ties with China
Marcos, who won last week’s election by a landslide, said he held “very substantial” talks by phone on Wednesday with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Opinion
If you think this election will turn on Queensland, think again
Peter Beattie
Former premier of Queensland
Why a federal Labor victory could reward Perrottet
Alexandra Smith
State Political Editor
Why is Buttrose wresting control of complaints from ABC management?
Jonathan Holmes
Journalist and former presenter of Media Watch
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Property
Berrima Gaol sold for $7 million to ‘football whisperer’ developer
Western Sydney property developer and “football whisperer” Joe Wehbe wants to turn the historic Southern Highlands landmark into a hotel and entertainment precinct.
The homes with the largest price drops in the cooling market
Median house prices have so far seen little change in Sydney and Melbourne, but that’s not the case for smaller homes.
Lifestyle
Cannes 2022: Red carpet celebrity arrivals
The grown up sibling to the Oscars, the prestigious French award ceremony has garnered a reputation for its fashion moments. Ahead, all the celebrity red carpet appearances from the 75th Cannes Film Festival.
Opinion
Australia votes
The 12 things I promise to do if I become prime minister
Richard Glover
Broadcaster and Sydney Morning Herald columnist
Culture
Death threats forced Sandi Toksvig into hiding. Now strangers hug her in the shops
It’s hard to believe now, but the QI host once feared for her family’s safety and was told her career was over after being publicly outed by a UK tabloid.
Sport
Why Matildas won’t follow USA with equal prizemoney split
The US has announced all prizemoney won by its national teams will be shared equally between the men and women - but Australia’s female players won’t be pursuing a similar deal.
Potter happy to get Gus hands-on as he returns to Tiger Town
New Bulldogs coach Mick Potter is happy to call on Phil Gould’s expertise as he embarks on his first NRL coaching outing in almost a decade.
Boss ‘hog’: Arrow back on the bike Wayne Bennett banned
The Souths star has resumed roaring around the streets in the Harley-Davidson former coach Wayne Bennett ordered him to garage last season.
Red alert as Manly flanker Gleeson finally gets his chance for Tahs
Impossible to miss with his powerful running and red headgear, Langi Gleeson will partner fellow Marlin Michael Hooper in the NSW back row in Dunedin.
Nine tenths of the score: The stat Parramatta Eels live and die by
Statistics over the past three NRL seasons show a win or loss for Parramatta can be all but taken to the bank based on their opening 20 minutes.
Detective involved in Jack de Belin rape case under internal investigation
The Wollongong detective was strongly criticised for his conduct in the investigation but the District Court judge Andrew Haesler ultimately allowed the case to proceed.
Meet the viral English teenager who could be unleashed on the Wallabies
Henry Arundell was a young unknown English player until a crazy solo try made him world famous, and won a call-up from Eddie Jones.
Have Your Say
Why Walker brothers are left-field answer for Bulldogs
Footy clubs run best when players are having fun. Ben and Shane Walker are just what the battling Bulldogs need.
