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Scrapped building watchdog could have dealt with Gatto intervention: opposition
The federal opposition says Mick Gatto’s intervention in a Melbourne building dispute would have been dealt with by the watchdog that Labor abolished.
School v sports clubs: The future of this Port Melbourne site decided
There were competing ideas over what to do with a piece of industrial land next to North Port Oval. A winning $38.8 million bid has sealed its fate.
‘My antenna was up’: Linda Reynolds’ ex-chief of staff on Lehrmann comment
The former chief of staff to the then Liberal defence industry minister Linda Reynolds, Fiona Brown, gave evidence on Monday in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case.
Opinion
Life in the ’burbs
The suburb where everyone knows your name – and your marital status
In this homely pocket of Melbourne, oodle ownership is essential and everyone has a view on the conflict dividing the community.
Darren Levin
Writer
From the schoolyard to the bright lights: The AFLW’s newest No.1 pick
Next year is shaping up to be a busy one for the AFLW’s newest No.1 draft pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, who will compete at the highest level of footy while finishing her final year of school in 2024.
Plea for crossing ignored council says, after toddler dies on ‘death trap’ road
The Dandenong mayor has criticised the state government for failing to install a pedestrian crossing at a site where a toddler was fatally struck by a car on Sunday.
The best last-minute Christmas gifts 2023
Left your Christmas shopping to the last minute? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
The beautiful, remote island fit for an (exiled) emperor
Napoleon is back in the spotlight. Less familiar is the place where he spent his final years.
Young family spends $4.8m on Camberwell home they saw half an hour before
Seven parties competed for the renovated residence with a pool and landscaped gardens, as buyers chased turnkey properties on the last auction weekend of 2023.
This young mayor has fostered 27 children and counting. This how she does it
City of Kingston Mayor Jenna Davey-Burns says her most rewarding moments at Christmas with her foster children happen during a simple ritual.
It was meant to be a $100k shimmering laneway. The reality was different
The transformation of a popular CBD laneway was supposed to make diners and pedestrians feel like they were inside an enormous disco ball.
Treatment of convicted terror leader Benbrika a disgrace: ex-security watchdog
A Victorian Supreme Court judge is set to rule on Tuesday whether Abdul Nacer Benbrika will be subject to an extended supervision order on his release this month.
Visual story
City life
Merry and bright: Ten of the best Christmas light homes in Melbourne
From Wyndham Vale to Pakenham to Coburg, here are ten of the best Christmas light shows to visit across the city.
Australian in Singapore to plead guilty to hoax bomb threat
Remanded at Changi Prison for three months under anti-terrorism laws, Kevin Hawkins may be out by Christmas, with prosecutors taking into account his schizophrenia.
Elvis Costello: A man of many words who ‘exhausted’ Bob Dylan
Pinning down the legendary New Wave artist to a single genre is an impossible task.
Editor's Picks
Opinion
US politics
Democrats chose Biden because he could beat Trump. But that was then
Bruce Wolpe
Senior fellow at the United States Studies Centre and former political staffer
Just in
Victoria
Self-proclaimed monster who murdered two women likely to die in jail
Darren John Chalmers, who murdered two women decades apart on opposite sides of the country, will probably die behind bars.
Alleged gangland boss Fadi Haddara hit with gun charges
After his arrest last week by detectives from Victoria Police’s designated illicit tobacco taskforce, Fadi Haddara has been charged with a string of weapon offences.
Exclusive
NAPLAN
The schools that get half as much cash as their private peers and still top NAPLAN results
Analysis by The Age using the top 20 average year 9 NAPLAN results for public and private schools has delivered some surprises.
Dad sues wife’s doctor over murder-suicide tragedy
Tom Perinovic claimed his wife’s doctor failed to adequately treat her before she killed their three children.
Boy accused of leading police on long chase along major freeways
A Melbourne boy allegedly led police on a car and helicopter chase across the West Gate and Monash freeways overnight.
Politics
US request for Red Sea warship not a specific callout to Australia, PM says
The federal government downplayed the United States’ request for help, but is yet to rule out sending a ship to the Middle East.
Business
Mining giant charges dropped over harassment documents
A workplace safety watchdog has ended its prosecution of Fortescue Metals Group for failing to supply documents relating to alleged sexual harassment at mine sites.
World
Prominent publisher goes on trial in Hong Kong in landmark case
Jimmy Lai was arrested in August 2020 during a crackdown on the city’s pro-democracy movement under the sweeping national security law.
Opinion
Labor’s repeat offending on cost blowouts is a threat to our democracy
Jago Dodson
Professor of Urban Policy
What’s driving former lefties to the right?
Michelle Goldberg
Writer and columnist
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Property
Charming Tudor-style renovated townhouse fetches $900,000 to cap ‘rollercoaster year’
A couple managed to secure a home just before the real estate industry breaks for Christmas, buying a three-bedroom inner north townhouse at auction.
Mr Melbourne’s home sold, the Murdochs’ old home hasn’t: 2023 in prestige property
The biggest sale of the year hit the $60 million mark and proved why its grand boulevard is considered one of Melbourne’s very best.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Becoming a stepmum reminded me how awful I was to my own
Life has a way of restoring karmic balance, says writer Madeleine Gray.
Culture
She became a star on TikTok – but what’s it like to see her perform live?
This wrap of shows around Melbourne includes Nessa Barrett, Hannah Gadsby’s Banana Palace, and a colourful and fun pocket-sized version of Cinderella by The Australian Ballet.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
‘The finger’s fine’: Labuschagne declares himself fit for Boxing Day
Struck batter Marnus Labuschagne and captain Pat Cummins denied the Perth pitch was dangerous despite a number of players being hit by balls flying off cracks.
Cricket’s banner ban will apply for MCG, SCG Tests
The same policy that led to a banner being removed from the stands in the Perth Test on Sunday will apply for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the first Test of the new year in Sydney.
The Aussie in charge of one of Europe’s biggest clubs – but it’s not Ange
Former Socceroo Michael Valkanis has been handed the reins at Ajax while the Dutch giants’ manager is in Australia for his son’s wedding.
Kerr scores again: Chelsea hits Christmas on top, fifth straight title within reach
The Matildas captain hung in the air and nodded home an exquisite downward header to seal the champions’ 3-0 win at Bristol City.
Natural-born players: Why the draft class of 2023 will set the AFLW alight
The footballers nominated for Monday night’s draft have grown up playing the game and watching women play it in the AFLW, and they’re poised to take the competition by storm in 2024.
Carlton’s connector, on and off field: How Adam Saad makes a difference
The dashing Blues’ half-back-flanker helps youngsters off the field and is a pivotal link man at a club aiming for a premiership in 2024.
Why Australia’s greatest snooker player is taking on an 11-year-old
Former world champion Neil Robertson is playing an exhibition in Australia for the first time in years to raise money for a star in the making.
Have Your Say
Why Lyon could be the last Australian to 500 Test wickets
Sadly for lovers of Test cricket, it will not be in the financial interests of future players to play long enough to achieve the sort of landmarks Nathan Lyon has reached.