Opinion
Opinion
Trade wars
China has spooked the West in the war that may never end
The West is splashing out hundreds of billions of dollars to maintain its edge in the fight over the world’s most critical technology. But China is playing the long game.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Latest
Analysis
Climate crisis
What does the Swiss climate decision mean for Australia?
In a landmark ruling, Europe’s top human rights court has ruled the Swiss government violated the human rights of its citizens by failing to do enough to combat climate change. But what happens next?
- by Bianca Hall
Opinion
Financial literacy
Making money is a team sport, so don’t do it alone
We’re taught in school to succeed as individuals, not in a group. Don’t make the same mistake when it comes to money.
- by Paridhi Jain
Opinion
Ask an expert
Can I put money into my child’s super account?
It’s possible to make a non-concessional superannuation contribution into another person’s super account – but there are notable downsides.
- by Noel Whittaker
Long-awaited investor compensation scheme gets under way
A compensation scheme offering up to $150,000 to consumers who have experienced misconduct is now operating.
- by John Collett
Analysis
Health insurance
Apple watches, cinema tickets: Are health insurance perks worth it?
Customers have been warned that new health insurer incentives should not come at the expense of high premiums.
- by John Collett
Analysis
Retirement living
How retirement village residents could get better quality care
The lack of choice provided to retirement village residents is unfair but the inefficiencies, added costs and delays that are caused are ludicrous.
- by Rachel Lane
Editorial
Victorian Parliament
Bad for transparency, bad for democracy: The bill the state government should drop or change
Labor’s move to abolish the council providing independent oversight of public record-keeping will further entrench the state’s reputation for secrecy over transparency.
- The Age's View
Opinion
Sex work
Why we shouldn’t put the Spotlight on sex work
It’s legal. It’s well-paid. And many women do it because it’s flexible, and they can be their own bosses. Our collective weirdness about sex work is embarrassing.
- by Jenna Price
Letters
Letters
Does Peter Dutton have what it takes to win a generation?
Readers respond to the question of how Dutton’s Coalition could regain relevance, the growth of AUKUS and the Gather Round.
Opinion
Childcare
Costly childcare’s a slippery slope. So why haven’t we learnt?
The faults in Australia’s childcare model have been obvious for years. It’s time for a sweeping overhaul.
- by Matt Wade
Analysis
Science
The tiny dietary tweak with a giant health impact
Scientific studies show replacing regular table salt with potassium or “Cinderella” salt could arrest rising rates of cardiovascular disease. But will it work in our processed-food loving culture?
- by Angus Dalton
Opinion
Beer
$16 a pint, in this economy? Stuff that, I’m starting a moonshine side-hustle
In recent years, I made the mistake of acquiring a taste for expensive booze. I would find beers with exceptional can designs and phrases such as “NEIPA” and “hazy pale” which made me feel special. Now I can’t afford the cheap stuff.
- by Doug Hendrie
Opinion
Immigration
Migrants – what are they good for? A lot, actually
Far from stealing our homes, migrants are returning to their pre-COVID university digs and propping up our economy.
- by Shane Wright
Analysis
Defence
Can a two-year ‘placeholder’ reform the Australian Defence Force?
The Albanese government has opted for continuity over change and safety over boldness in its choice of a new Defence Force chief.
- by Matthew Knott
Opinion
Supermarket inquiry
Everyone seems to be a victim in the supermarket review
While Woolworths and Coles point the finger at the behaviour of other big retailers, it’s a brain twister as to how giving suppliers more help will benefit customers at the checkout.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Analysis
Collectables
Why more people are investing in – and wearing – vintage fashion
Buyers don’t just want to shop sustainably – they want to own a piece of history.
- by Stephen Crafti
Opinion
Space
A divided America comes together for a moment that won’t return for 20 years
For almost four minutes there’s nothing but ethereal serenity. All I can see in the distance is the black silhouette of the moon surrounded by the pearly glow of the sun’s corona.
- by Farrah Tomazin
Analysis
Mortgage brokers
Thinking about using a mortgage broker? Here’s one thing you should always ask
One-in-five mortgage brokers did not write a single loan in the six months to March 2023 and could be out of touch with the market.
- by John Collett
Opinion
Interest rates
The chief of America’s biggest bank is worried. That’s bad news for all of us
Jamie Dimon is one of the most powerful people in the world. His annual letter to shareholders contains an alarming scenario. Australia would not be immune.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Web culture
Google may be about to make the biggest strategy change in its history
Google is weighing up charging customers to use its AI products. We should be begging it to.
- by Matthew Lynn
Opinion
AUKUS
Japan is set to join AUKUS – it won’t be the last country to do so
Japan is the world’s fourth-biggest economy, yet only the ninth-biggest defence spender. As China’s military build-up continues, that is beginning to change.
- by Peter Hartcher
Letters
Letters
We don’t believe victims, we grill them mercilessly
Readers react to a ticketed event being organised by #MenToo advocate Bettina Arndt and the merits of former PM Boris Johnson.
Opinion
Loyalty programs
Qantas loyalty revamp the right flight path to healing customer ‘pain point’
Vanessa Hudson has taken on the Herculean task of trying to restore the relationship with Qantas customers and staff – and reweight the division of the spoils.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
AFL 2024
‘That’s enough’: AFL must send Finlayson a simple message with slur penalty
What shocks about Jeremy Finlayson’s homophobic insult against Essendon is that it even sprung to his mind to use such language in 2024.
- by Greg Baum
Opinion
Life in the ’burbs
My suburb attracts a cult-like loyalty, despite the grit and the gangsters
We haven’t had a gangland funeral across the road for years, but North Melbourne has always been an in-between place – a suburb of two identities.
- by Virginia Trioli
Opinion
AFL 2024
Gather Round? More like Blather Round if you ask me
After being bombarded with missives about the charms of South Australia, we were supposed to rejoice and be grateful that they had the footy and we didn’t.
- by Greg Baum
Opinion
Political leadership
Low-rise jeans have won over Gen Z. Here’s how the Coalition can do the same
The cycle of youth opinion is brutal and constant. Birkenstocks, once decidedly out, are in again. The Coalition, too, can win over my generation. Here’s how.
- by Daniel Cash
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Albanese government is finally awakening to the bleak nature of Israel’s fighting
In appointing a special adviser to review the investigation of seven aid workers, Australia is telegraphing its lack of confidence in the Israeli military justice system.
- by Ben Saul
Analysis
Aviation
Will Qantas’ frequent flyer changes make it easier to get a seat?
Qantas has added a third way to redeem frequent flyer points on flights. But will it make snagging a seat easier?
- by Amelia McGuire
Analysis
Australian rugby
The moment Michael Hooper showed he was up to the challenge of sevens
The former Wallabies captain’s bid to represent Australia at the Paris Olympics is up and running after 19 minutes of rugby over the weekend in Hong Kong. Here’s how he went.
- by Tom Decent
Opinion
Public transport
As much as I’d love it, free public transport is a bad idea
Public transport should never be a money train. But asking for a full fare-free system would be driving a hard bargain.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Fremantle Dockers
Crucial moments sunk Freo, while Harley Reid activated beast mode
A perfect start to the season came to a shattering end for the Dockers on Saturday, while rising Eagle Harley Reid displayed power, poise and aggressiveness.
- by Paddy Sweeney
Opinion
Inside China
The Chinese giants that have set off alarm bells in the US
A flood of small packages driven by companies like Shein and Temu is causing Washington big headaches.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
NRL 2024
‘I miss you blokes’: It’s time for Russell Crowe to pick up the phone to Wayne Bennett
There is only one man who can pull South Sydney out of the mire while Bennett has unfinished business - with himself and Souths.
- by Andrew Webster
Opinion
Housing crisis
A family home doesn’t need to be a house: The case for European-style living
Moving overseas highlighted that our national psyche is to see houses not as places merely to live, but an asset class that, for many, is a way to grow wealth.
- by Caroline Zielinski
Analysis
AFL 2024
Ginnivan and the small attack: How the Pies survived a monumental Hawks comeback
The Magpies used all of their guile to survive Hawthorn’s stunningly unlikely and spirited surge, winning by just five points. Jack Ginnivan said there was plenty to be optimistic about, and explained how he would make himself a better player.
- by Jake Niall
Analysis
AFL 2024
Essendon the big losers, Blues’ Houdini strikes again: Key takeouts from round four
The round of football started slowly and built to a crescendo with controversy, comebacks, scandal and a celebration of a round now embedded in the football calendar.
- by Peter Ryan
Analysis
AI
OpenAI’s new Voice Engine could bring real benefits, and real dangers
With just a 15-second sample of your voice, OpenAI’s latest model can generate audio of you saying almost anything.
- by Tim Biggs
Opinion
Political leadership
Silence descends: Our inability to discuss difficult issues has never been more obvious
Never more than in the past week have we seen national discussion on major issues marked by the mass silencing of everyone outside the extremes.
- by Sean Kelly
Analysis
Casinos
Four ways the cards could fall for Star Sydney
Star Sydney’s current and former executives are about to be hauled before Adam Bell, SC, for a second time in 18 months – and the stakes are high.
- by Amelia McGuire
Letters
Letters
Parks are not just for recreation
Readers respond to reports that Victoria’s garden state status may be under threat as urban expansion and land clearing eat Melbourne green spaces to accommodate the growing population.
Opinion
AFL 2024
Priced out: In ‘footy country’, you’ll struggle to watch a game on TV at the pub
This, we are regularly assured by AFL ads, was not just a country footy town – we were in footy country. That’s true, unless the game you wanted to watch in Stawell happened to be on pay TV.
- by Michael Gleeson
Opinion
Millennials
I thought not Googling everything would set me free. Instead, it ruined my garden
I’m not sure if having the answers would have saved my nasturtiums, but not knowing didn’t help me either. Somehow, my fantasy didn’t bring peace or protection.
- by Wendy Syfret
Opinion
UK election
Tories may throw Sunak overboard, but rearranging deckchairs can’t save this ship
Are the Tories mad enough to roll another leader? My spies inside the Conservative Party tell me this is a real possibility.
- by George Brandis
Opinion
NRL 2024
The moment Latrell Mitchell stopped the NSW premier in his tracks
A moment of maturity from the Souths star in Moree during the week gave Chris Minns an insight into his passion for First Nations people and Indigenous rights.
- by Danny Weidler
Opinion
Health insurance
How to manage now private health insurance costs are (seriously) rising
If you want to keep your coverage but can’t find the extra money, there are a number of options available to you.
- by Victoria Devine
Opinion
Ask an expert
My bush property is too big for me to get the pension. What can I do?
While being on acreage can be pleasant, the size of your property can risk stymieing your pension options.
- by Paul Benson
Opinion
Defamation
So much litigation, so little clarity: The Lehrmann case is a sordid labyrinth
For so many involved, the grimy details of this defamation trial have strayed far from natural justice.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Opinion
Live music
Kids have not ‘gone soft’ when it comes to music festivals
The rapid decline of music festivals in Australia is symptomatic of a bigger problem – and it’s not the fault of young people.
- by Millie Muroi