Morning Edition newsletter
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
Good Weekend Talks
In-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts.
Sunday Life
Indulge in the best ‘me time’ reading with our new digital magazine edition.
Exclusive
Roads
The West Gate Tunnel is years delayed and $4b over budget. Now its builders are suing
The West Gate Tunnel Project’s builders have blamed the project’s engineers for design errors that led to cost blowouts and a three-year delay.
Jubilant to hostile: How a done deal blew up in the nursing union’s face
A collapsed pay deal has left the union reeling, insulted members are calling for long-time Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick to stand down and its industrial action is in disarray.
Gaza protesters may face criminal penalties under new hate laws
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the government was weighing whether people should face jail time for hate speech.
The YIMBY movement has made it to Melbourne. Their war on urban sprawl begins with unlocking these suburbs
The YIMBYs want to rewrite the planning rules, scrap heritage overlays and start a housing revolution. And they have the ear of government.
The ‘unusual’ solution to end long-running battle over hedges in leafy suburbs
Long-standing feuds between hedge lovers and neighbours fed up with conifers encroaching on footpaths are being tackled with a creative solution.
Opinion
Women at work
When they cater for women, even the menu is misogynist
They put the MEN in menu and served chicken feed to a room full of chicks. Who’d dare cater for men with these ballerina rations?
Parnell Palme McGuinness
Columnist and communications adviser
Live
AFL 2024
Hawks looking good early, putting Lions on the back foot
Follow along for all the major moments and post game reactions from the AFL’s Sunday games of Round 11.
Medal threat: Australia’s Hull smashes national record on eve of Olympics
Jess Hull is dramatically closing the gap on the world’s best and is now poised as a medal threat at this year’s Olympics.
Grayson Murray, a two-time PGA Tour winner, dies at 30
The American withdrew from a tournament during the second round at Texas before the PGA Tour announced his death on Sunday.
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Let’s be clear, Peter Dutton: prosecuting Netanyahu is not antisemitism
This is not about moral equivalence, but seeking arrest warrants for both Hamas and Israeli leaders is an attempt to impose equal justice.
Geoffrey Robertson
Human rights barrister and author
Opinion
Sunday Life
I used to love being told a secret, but now I don’t really care
I’ve been told of some pretty significant secrets in my time – from affairs, to secret children, to gambling problems, to bankruptcies – so the bar for titillation has been significantly raised.
Kerri Sackville
Columnist and author
Cats on the moon? Google’s AI tool is producing misleading responses that have experts worried
Google has unleashed its new AI tool, which is giving users wrong information – some funny, others harmful falsehoods. Experts warn it could also endanger people in an emergency.
I was born from an extramarital affair. This is how my life has played out
My dad’s name wasn’t even on my birth certificate, but I was intent on not erasing him completely from my life.
Trump TV: No.1 destination for MAGA faithful won’t question a word he says
RSBN has allowed the former Republican president to bypass traditional media.
Sunak vows to bring back national service for school leavers
Rishi Sunak’s plan for 18-year-olds would create a renewed sense of pride in the UK, he said, as the prime minister faces internal and external political pressures.
Explainer
Evolution
No more ‘Homo stupidus’: Why Neanderthals are getting a makeover
They were shrewd, complex and creative, and we shared the planet with them (and other types of humans) for thousands of years. So why did the Neanderthals die out and not us?
Review
Video games
Xbox sequel raises the bar for audio, immersion and mental health in video games
Like a visually stunning eight-hour TV series, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a 10th century Viking adventure following a warrior who lives with psychosis.
Collection
Wine bars
10 new neighbourhood wine bars to spend a cosy Sunday afternoon in
The charming little wine bar has entered its golden era in Melbourne. Here are 10 new ones to while away the chilly winter afternoons and evenings in.
WEEKEND READS
‘You had to hustle’: How Debi Mazar went from New York door girl to Hollywood star
The 59-year-old actor’s latest role has brought her all the way to Adelaide.
How a spicy midlife crisis launched The Unsatisfactory Spouses Club
When marriage trouble hit a group of Melbourne friends, they sought solace in each other.
Victoria
The lost delivery riders causing chaos on toll roads and tunnels
The increase in food delivery services means more bicycle and scooter riders are getting lost on some of Melbourne’s busiest freeways and tollway tunnels.
Nationals grassroots members go nuclear over Welcome to Country ceremonies
The Victorian Nationals rank and file want a future Coalition government to back nuclear power and to axe funding for Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Exclusive
Property development
The YIMBY plan to oust the NIMBYs from local councils
Candidates at the coming local government elections will be asked to pledge that they will not block apartment developments, as YIMBY and pro-housing groups seek to expand their clout in key inner-city areas.
‘Concerning’ rise in measles cases as travellers import virus
There have been 35 reported cases of measles in 2024 so far, compared with 26 last year. Experts blame international outbreaks and declining vaccination rates.
Bridgerton in Brunswick? Regency romance arrives in Melbourne
Fans of the hit Netflix series frocked up for the lavish interactive Bridgerton experience, dripping with sumptuous sets and selfie moments.
AFL 2024
Bombers defender makes stellar AFL return in Dreamtime nail-biter
Jordan Ridley’s seamless return lifted the Bombers to a 12-point Dreamtime victory over Richmond, who defied a league-worst injury list to still be in contention in the dying stages of the game.
‘It is dangerous’: Hardwick and Voss tackle umpires
Damien Hardwick has called on the game’s decision-makers to do faster calls on holding-the-ball decisions because players’ health and safety is at risk.
Politics
Exclusive
Population
Coalition rules out baby bonus as births continue to slip
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor, a father of four, says the nation’s falling fertility rate is a growing issue for all economic policymakers.
Opinion
Political leadership
Five prime ministers in five years was dismal. But a new reality is unfolding
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Business
Review
Video games
Xbox sequel raises the bar for audio, immersion and mental health in video games
Like a visually stunning eight-hour TV series, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a 10th century Viking adventure following a warrior who lives with psychosis.
Opinion
Retirement living
You’ll probably live longer than you think, so start planning now
Bec Wilson
Money contributor
World
Several children killed after Indian amusement park inferno, police say
A major fire broke out on Saturday at an amusement park in Gujarat state in western India, killing at least 27 people, police and media reports said.
Opinion
Immigration cuts only work if women have more babies. Dutton knows they won’t
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
Explore
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Property
Comedian Rhys Nicholson’s ‘maximalist’ home sells for $842,500 after auction
The Coburg home passed in for $810,000, but soon sold to the highest bidders in post-auction negotiations.
Britt made a temporary move, but she loved the area so much she stayed
The rising cost of housing in a string of bayside and inner-east suburbs hasn’t deterred buyers, bucking the trend of Melbourne’s softening market.
Good Food
Lifestyle
‘$100 is a red flag’: What to know about cheap cashmere
Once a luxury fashion item, cashmere has never been more accessible. But how do more affordable iterations measure up?
Opinion
Trends
In appealing to the rich, has trail running lost its dirtbag spirit?
Sarah Berry
Lifestyle Health Editor
Opinion
Oral health
Yes, we love to hate them, but here’s some sparkling news for dentists
Jo Stubbings
Writer and reviewer
Culture
A lover, a one-time hater and a newcomer debate the original Mad Max
George Miller’s thrilling, apocalyptic vision spawned Australia’s biggest film franchise. How does it hold up nearly half a century later?
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Live
AFL 2024
AFL 2024 round 11 LIVE updates: Hawks stay on top as Lions start to fight back
Follow along for all the major moments and post game reactions from the AFL’s Sunday games of Round 11.
Analysis
Draft
Why some AFL clubs’ recruiting ‘war chest’ won’t deliver guns
The AFL’s new pay deal has created space everywhere, and smaller clubs have to offer more than money when competing against the powerhouses for signatures.
Medal threat: Australia’s Hull smashes national record on eve of Olympics
Jess Hull is dramatically closing the gap on the world’s best and is now poised as a medal threat at this year’s Olympics after smashing the Australian 1500 metres record in a Diamond League meet on Sunday morning.
Bombers defender makes stellar AFL return in Dreamtime nail-biter
Jordan Ridley’s seamless return lifted the Bombers to a 12-point Dreamtime victory over Richmond, who defied a league-worst injury list to still be in contention in the dying stages of the game.
Piastri to start on front row in Monaco as Verstappen’s record run ends
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ended Max Verstappen’s record-equalling run of Formula 1 pole positions in style on Saturday and made himself favourite to become the first home winner of the Monaco Grand Prix since 1931.
Grayson Murray, a two-time PGA Tour winner, dies at 30
The American withdrew from a tournament during the second round at Texas before the PGA Tour announced his death on Sunday.
‘It is dangerous’: Hardwick and Voss tackle umpires
Damien Hardwick has called on the game’s decision-makers to do faster calls on holding-the-ball decisions because players’ health and safety is at risk.
Have Your Say
Grounds for complaint: Why Dons, Blues and Saints want fewer Marvel games
Tenants of the AFL-owned Docklands stadium are queuing up to ask for more games at the MCG.
