Opinion
Opinion
Homelessness
We’ve stopped seeing rough sleepers. A Jack Russell opened my eyes
Despite talking to people every day as a journalist, I still get anxious approaching people on the street.
- by Millie Muroi
Latest
Opinion
Life in the ’burbs
For a sullen teen, my suburb was a bore. To a middle-aged woman, it’s paradise
Then I hit my 30s and began thinking about buying a home and entombing my own child in the comfortable silence of suburbia. Suddenly, Mount Waverley didn’t seem so bad.
- by Wendy Syfret
Opinion
NRL 2024
NRL’s first raiding party hits the gridiron in Las Vegas
The NRL’s gamble on Sin City has started with the players and officials spending a week in the US.
- by Andrew Webster
Opinion
Political leadership
Labor’s Queensland problems won’t be solved by Palaszczuk’s departure
The defenestration of Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says much about Labor’s cultural problems in the Sunshine State.
- by George Brandis
Opinion
Pharmaceuticals
Birth of a $9 billion pharmacy group is just what the doctor ordered
It has a bunch of hurdles to jump and won’t be without its detractors, but for investors it will be something of a white whale.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Political leadership
A minister for common sense? Makes a lot of sense, actually
You don’t need to manufacture a non-existent culture war to see the benefits of no-brainer politics.
- by Gary Nunn
Opinion
Bonds
The $164 billion test coming for markets this week
A flood of US government debt is about to hit markets even as the field of buyers is shrinking. It could lead to unintended consequences.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Analysis
Immigration
Labor needs to end the migration surge, but these cuts are not enough
Some of the migration changes seem too modest to deal with a powerful global trend that pushed arrivals to a record high.
- by David Crowe
Analysis
Japan rugby
He was sacked by England and quit the Wallabies after a shambolic year. So why did Japan chase Eddie Jones?
In his third job in a little over 12 months, Eddie Jones is set to be confirmed as head coach of Japan this week. It points to his brilliance as a salesman, and well-established roots in Japanese rugby.
- by Iain Payten
Opinion
Australian economy
Why the ‘girl math’ trend is misleading
Despite the ditzy vibe in “girl math” videos on TikTok, girls are actually very good at maths – and we should encourage more of them to take it on.
- by Rachel Clun
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel is increasingly portrayed as the villain. Some perspective, please
Daily we witness news images of Palestinian suffering while the atrocity that provoked Israel’s military response begins to fade from memory.
- by George Brandis
Opinion
ALP
Labor has been uncomfortable in its own skin. In 2024, will it dare play to its strengths?
The Albanese government has been nervous about seeming “too Labor”, but a strong theme of fairness is emerging in its agenda – and not too soon.
- by Sean Kelly
LETTERS
Letters
The young are the future, we need to support them
Age readers respond to the recent commentary on the Baby Boomer generation.
Opinion
Horse racing
From Todman to ‘meet Chris Waller’: The champions and chancers of Rosehill Gardens
The Golden Slipper shines bright among memories of the western Sydney racecourse. But it was the people as much as the horses who wrote the Rosehill story.
- by Max Presnell
Opinion
Christmas
Hey kids, let’s talk about sex (and politics) on our summer walks
These subjects are too often regarded as taboo, but parents need to discuss them with their children – and the summer holidays are the perfect opportunity.
- by Daisy Turnbull
Analysis
NRL player movements
‘I’m not doing this to have a crack at rugby’: Why Wallabies star couldn’t say no to Roosters
Speaking publicly for the first time since his shock move, Mark Nawaqanitawase says he is not part of a code war and that some of the things being said about him are laughable.
- by Danny Weidler
Analysis
Australian cricket
The ups and downright disasters of Pakistan in Australia
Pakistan have been brilliant in Australia but also terrible – often within the same series, or even the same match.
- by Daniel Brettig
Opinion
Taylor Swift
The world is falling apart. Over to you Tay-Tay. No pressure
Artists like Taylor Swift have the right to express their political opinions as they like. But that right should never become an obligation.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Opinion
Budgeting
Eight ways to practise financial self-care this Christmas
As we continue to gear up for this festive season, we also need to look after ourselves a bit more than usual – personally and financially.
- by Victoria Devine
Opinion
Ask an expert
How do I leave 1% of my will to charity?
Leaving instructions to donate a small part of your estate to charity can be achieved with some careful planning.
- by Paul Benson
Opinion
Populism
Left-wing populism: Come for the rent caps, stay for the conspiracy theories
When most people think about populism, they think about right-wing policies. But left-wing populism is on the rise around the world and in Australia.
- by Parnell Palme McGuinness
Opinion
Courts
Lehrmann case brings home the risks of suing for a court victory
The similarity between the stakes of two high-profile defamation cases doesn’t end with the fact that they share the same lawyers.
- by Nick McKenzie
Opinion
Five Minutes with Fitz
The best bits of Fitz: The chats that most moved me in 2023
Having come to this Q&A format reluctantly, it has become a labour of love.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
Hip pocket
How to teach your kids to budget, and sleigh it
Christmas is the perfect time to teach your kids the wonders of a budget, with ample opportunities to talk about money.
- by Dominic Powell
Opinion
Christmas
How to buy a Secret Santa gift for the person you hoped you wouldn’t get
Every year, I get my father-in-law in Secret Santa, and every year, the experience is the same: a crushing reminder that he will never love me (or at least love my gifts).
- by Thomas Mitchell
LETTERS
Letters
Change unlikely to come to the public service
Age readers respond to the Ombudsman’s report into the Victorian public service.
Analysis
Australian cricket
Warner set his own path, does he deserve to go out on his own terms?
Based on the numbers, David Warner deserves the accolades. But the Australian cricket team is not his property or play thing and his form has been declining at Test level for some years.
- by Geoff Lawson
Opinion
Parenting
Sorry Frozen, but it’s time children let it go once and for all
I know I’m treading on thin ice here, but it’s been a decade since Disney released its tale of Elsa. Can children please find something new to love?
- by Cherie Gilmour
Opinion
Australian cricket
The message Pakistan’s players must heed if they are to challenge Australia
Despite the political turmoil that pervades the PCB, Pakistan has produced some of the most exciting cricketers the game has seen. Can the current crop upset their hosts?
- by Greg Chappell
Opinion
Concussion crisis
Rugby is tackling the greatest danger to the game – while golf drops the ball
You can’t have nursing homes full of banged-up ex-athletes suffering from repeated brain traumas, but you also can’t remove the contact element from rugby because then it isn’t rugby.
- by Darren Kane
Opinion
The Fitz Files
Say what you want about Mitchell Johnson, at least it was interesting
The one thing this week’s cricket imbroglio achieved was to remind us there’s a home Test next week.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Tony Wright’s Column
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
There are worse things stolen from children than the colour of the sea
The TV at home is tuned to Bluey instead of the news when my granddaughter is around, for the images of children suffering are too ghastly for a child.
- by Tony Wright
Opinion
Health insurance
How you can claim a possible $3000 before New Year
Private health extras allowances typically expire on December 31. And there’s even more on offer this year than most.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Opinion
Job hunting
How to overcome anxiety and nail your next job interview
Job interviews can be stressful, but if you take the time to prepare (and sit up straight) you can wow your prospective employer.
- by Shadé Zahrai
Opinion
Workplace culture
’Tis the season to avoid the office Grinch at all costs
Some people in the workplace tend to delight in being needlessly miserable. It is in our interests to avoid being caught in their clutches.
- by Jim Bright
Opinion
Financial planners
Better financial advice is a Christmas gift for all – especially retirees
There’s lots of talk about what the new changes this week will do for the industry, but here’s what it really means for everyday Australians.
- by Bec Wilson
Opinion
ALP
‘Good story’ for workers but will Labor’s fair go agenda pay off?
The Albanese government has a suite of policies designed to correct some of the glaring inequity in Australia’s system. This week we saw the first phase.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
We can choose not to become polarised and inflammatory
The current war between Israel and Hamas has left me overwhelmed. It can be tempting to become blinded by grief, or to become overtaken by rage. But there is another path.
- by Ellyse Borghi
Opinion
COP28 Dubai
Hot air: The COP climate conference is a fossilised racket
The annual COP gathering has become an outdated concept that risks stopping the progress the world has made.
- by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
LETTERS
Letters
Directed funding adds up to more maths teachers
Age readers react to the current shortcomings in the education field.
Editorial
Public service
Victorians are already paying for the corrosion of the public service
There has been little evidence that the ombudsman’s report detailing the erosion of the sector is being taken seriously on Spring Street.
- The Age's View
Analysis
Video games
‘Just the beginning’: Apple’s new era of gaming on Mac
The tech giant has big plans to take a larger slice of the half-a-trillion-dollar global business.
- by Tim Biggs
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
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