Opinion
Opinion
Culture wars
‘Cossie livs’ is the word of the year. I can think of a much better one
Australians do not want persuasion or reason. They want a word for their grievance against other Australians. To put it finely, people just have the shits.
- by Malcolm Knox
Latest
Opinion
Russia-Ukraine war
Have our Bushmasters helped the Ukrainians? I asked Hannah Hurava
Traversing minefields in an Australian-built Bushmaster, Ukrainian combat medic Hannah Hurava has seen the unforgettable human price of war.
- by Chris Uhlmann
Analysis
Naked City
Hands up if you know which is the state’s most powerful union
It is flush with cash, has assets of more than $100 million and a membership of 98 per cent of its workforce. And it’s about to flex its muscles.
- by John Silvester
Opinion
Prince Harry
BFF wedding snub could be Prince Harry’s tipping point
Harry is England personified. Son of the King. Fought for his country. Loves belting around on British polo pitches. The UK is his home, his history. His heart.
- by Kate Halfpenny
Analysis
Naked City
Onions or bust: The day I was Sly, but not sly enough
After a couple of mafia-related murders, I tried to go undercover at a wholesale market, a bag of onions as my bluff – but instead wandered around, narrowly avoiding being hit by forklifts.
- by John Silvester
Opinion
Australian cricket
Albo takes long handle to Captain Planet’s critics
The PM has backed Pat Cummins’ right to have a view on issues outside the cricketing arena.
- by Andrew Webster
Opinion
Work therapy
Should my work let me respond to an investigation even after I’ve left?
While you might feel robbed of your chance to respond, it may be better to try to forget office politics and enjoy your retirement.
- by Jonathan Rivett
Opinion
Australian economy
Why the Reserve Bank’s wishes might land it on the naughty list
One quarter of weaker growth won’t worry the Reserve Bank, but consumers are weakening, and waking up to the start of a recession would be an unwelcome gift.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Income tax
Stage 3 tax cuts are no big deal, with one exception
There’s no doubt stage 3 tax cuts are skewed towards higher income earners. But some context is needed.
- by Steven Hamilton
Analysis
Disability
‘What will happen to my child?’ The tough question families on NDIS want answered
In five years, there will be a new support service to divert families from joining the National Disability Insurance Scheme. What about those who qualify now?
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
LETTERS
Letters
A deeper probe into politicised public service needed
Age readers respond to the Ombudsman’s report into the public service.
Opinion
Jacinta Allan
For Victorian Labor, reports of dodgy behaviour are of no concern
The government’s response to this week’s ombudsman’s report brings to mind a line from The Simpsons.
- by Annika Smethurst
Opinion
Managed funds
How this maverick investor pulled off a $20 million virtual corporate heist
This isn’t Nick Bolton’s first rodeo, but it will count as his most lucrative for his investment company Keybridge.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Online gambling
Murphy’s law: will Peta’s colleagues gamble on her brave legacy?
A phased ban on gambling advertising drove Labor MP Peta Murphy until her death this week. How willing is federal cabinet to see her work completed?
- by David Crowe
Analysis
Australian economy
Can’t afford the sugar to coat these poor national accounts
Consumers have been flattened by taxes, inflation and the Reserve Bank.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
World markets
The oil cartel may be losing control of the market
The Saudi-led OPEC+ cartel is trying to force prices higher. It isn’t working.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Style
Seriously, some things you just shouldn’t do in a string bikini
While summers get hotter, cossies get briefer. If you must wear your little sister’s swimmers, there are activities you should never attempt.
- by Annemarie Fleming
Opinion
Sunday Life
I’ve partied with royals and rockers. This is the best bash I’ve ever attended
Let me set the scene for you. Mick Jagger’s London home last year. Me, gyrating with the swivel-hipped dance demon himself.
- by Kathy Lette
Analysis
Immigration
How Labor rushed through detention laws without debate
After angry late-night scenes in the House of Representatives, the government ensured the vote was held about 10pm to minimise media coverage of the final passage of the law.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
World golf
Why making the cut at Moore Park takes a swing at wrong target
The rich and famous who play on Sydney’s private courses won’t miss a thing if Moore Park Golf Course is altered. The big losers will be everyday mums, dads, children and groups of friends.
- by Paul Zalunardo
Opinion
Political leadership
It’s hunting season for Terminator Dutton as Albanese flounders
If Albanese doesn’t change, he will go down. It won’t matter how ugly Dutton’s style of politics is, or what state the economy is in.
- by Niki Savva
Opinion
Australian cricket
Johnson v Warner? Pfft. Keith Miller v The Don was a real brawl
Keith Miller took on the Germans during World War II … and then the greatest cricketer of all time.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
Women's health
Men are writhing in pain and millions of women can’t stop watching
A new TikTok trend featuring period simulators is going viral. But should women’s pain be an online gimmick?
- by Madison Griffiths
I’m not an antisemitic Jew for shunning Netanyahu
Readers react to conflict in the Middle East and Australia’s education ranking.
Opinion
Education
Noise, chaos and disengagement: I was wrong about open-plan classrooms
I was the inaugural principal of a school built for co-teaching, a model where two teachers worked together with around 50 students. Then the trouble began. Poor behaviour soared, students fell through the cracks, the noise was too much.
- by Adam Voigt
Opinion
Australian cricket
David Warner to go out the way he came in – in a blaze of contrariness
Everyone has an opinion about David Warner. It will be that way until the last time he plays for Australia.
- by Greg Baum
Analysis
Public service
Transport mandarin would have advised a bus over Suburban Rail Loop
The government needs frank and fearless advice from the public service to avoid making costly decisions that don’t serve taxpayers.
- by Chip Le Grand
Opinion
Superannuation
Is it time to water down super funds’ benchmarks to save the planet?
If the government wants the $3.5 trillion superannuation industry to invest more in the energy transition, it may need to cut them a bit of slack on their performance tests.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
US Supreme Court
US Supreme Court may push Sackler opioid case to Congress
How much of a fresh start does the Sackler family deserve – without having to declare bankruptcy themselves?
- by Noah Feldman
Opinion
Immigration
What does preventive detention look like? Just ask Abu Zubaydah
When you take away the liberties from those you deplore, you take them away from those you love.
- by Raymond Bonner
Opinion
Inside China
Warning shot: China put on notice as it tries to fix its economic mess
Beijing may not be happy about a downgrade from leading credit agency Moody’s, but it shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Political leadership
‘Concern and fear’: Creeping politicisation is a reality and requires urgent attention
It’s like Yes, Minister in reverse at the highest levels of the Victorian government as billions are spent on major projects without input from the public service.
- by Deborah Glass
Analysis
Shopping
More shoppers being hit by card surcharges – but we don’t seem to mind
The likelihood of being hit with a surcharge when paying by credit or debit card in-person has risen sharply, but fewer of us say we care.
- by John Collett
Opinion
Financial literacy
The question no one asks about money – but maybe they should
Financial advice’s excessive focus on apps, tips and hacks can make you think you just lack the know-how, but that’s an overly simplistic view.
- by Paridhi Jain
Opinion
Ask an expert
How can I stop my kids from contesting my will?
You may not be able to prevent it entirely, but there are many things you can do when drawing up a will to make contesting it difficult.
- by Noel Whittaker
Analysis
Investing
Trading platforms look to entice new investors as COVID boom fades
Share-trading platforms are adding features to win a greater share of the slowing number of new investors.
- by John Collett
Opinion
Immigration
Take the long view on immigration, it might surprise you
Australia’s openness to new migrants will be a major asset as the 21st century unfolds. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the long-range population modelling.
- by Matt Wade
Opinion
Schools
Singapore has the world’s best school system for one key reason
Australia teaches most of its students the same material at the same time, but there is a growing push toward a more targeted approach.
- by Geoff Masters
Yes it’s hot, but experience nature if you want to save it
Readers react to rising temperatures, golf course developments and beach parking fees.
Analysis
Border security
High noon in hunt for High Court fix
Australians can see a jarring contrast between rhetoric and reality in the immigration detainee crisis after being told for weeks that the government was focused on safety.
- by David Crowe
Analysis
Science
Who believes more health misinformation – men or women?
What causes people to seek out misinformation and believe it? And is one gender more susceptible?
- by Liam Mannix
Analysis
Interest rates
The year ahead in mortgage anxiety: Have Australians been naughty or nice?
A year ago the RBA was thinking about a “freedom Christmas”. Now, it wants shoppers to hold back their spending, giving interest rate relief next year.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
AI
A century ago, it was predicted we’d work just 15 hours a week by 2030. What happened?
Almost 100 years on from John Maynard Keynes predicting a 15-hour week thanks to technology, we’re working longer days and losing hours to cat memes.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Test cricket
Why the Poms are loving the Johnson and Warner circus
Pass the gin and tonics, sit back and enjoy the show. There’s nothing us Brits like better than seeing our Aussie tormentors turn on each other.
- by Alan Tyers
Opinion
Disruption
Why even grandparents don’t care about the death of daily mail delivery
Australia Post has until now been an entity that time forgot, a legacy organisation with imposed letter delivery service obligations that most Australians don’t use.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Analysis
Side hustle
Starting a side hustle? Here’s how to do the job right
We read about inventive side hustles and success stories all the time. But how about what it actually takes to start one?
- by Caterina Hrysomallis
Opinion
World markets
The two big bets that have sent markets surging
Everything from shares to Bitcoin is booming as investors get increasingly confident about what the future holds. But things don’t always go to plan.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Hello, I’m Jewish. Hand me a keffiyeh
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given people an excuse to unleash their antisemitism. I pray he has also given Israelis the power to unleash their votes against him.
- by Jenna Price
Analysis
Retirement living
Why many retirees could be losing income unnecessarily
Lack of familiarity of how the retirement system works is leaving many worse off, a new study has found.
- by John Collett
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