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Investigation
Good Weekend
‘Sickening’ video was key to child killer conviction, now it’s under question
The police showed how Robert Farquharson’s car, with his three kids inside, might have taken eight minutes to fall to the bottom of a cold dark dam. A new lawyer says the tape is unreliable.
Video
Trial by Water
Inside the uncomfortable investigation of a child killer
In the Robert Farquharson case there are six main strands of circumstantial evidence. I’ve investigated them all.
Podcast
Crime
‘I want to believe he’s guilty ... but I can’t’: Listen to the podcast
In a new podcast investigation, we explore why a growing number of experts believe the case against convicted child killer Robert Farquharson is “fundamentally flawed”.
Chemist Warehouse family’s proposed coastal compound draws ire of locals
The billionaire co-founder of the ubiquitous pharmacy chain is facing a battle over plans to build a luxury 16-bed complex with a pool, cinema and tennis court.
‘I completely overpaid’: First home buyer lands $980,000 Brunswick townhouse
A first home buyer beat five others in a heated bidding war for a two-bedroom townhouse in a coveted location.
Live
AFL 2024
Pressure high as Saints, Eagles struggle for goals; Hawks beat Crows
Follow along for all the major moments and post game reactions as AFL Saturday reaches round 12.
Latest live posts
Loading‘It’s not OK’: Carpenter says calendar crunch has zapped Matildas’ energy
European-based Matildas are out on their feet after a long season - and an increasingly ‘jammed’ schedule is making it worse, according to one of Australia’s biggest stars.
The Test: a case study on the pros and cons of authorised sporting docos
Plus: get ready for the weekend with these fresh diversions.
Ariane looked at her baby but saw a monster. Now she’s helping mums with their mental health
With a raw retelling of how her mind broke with an illness brought on by pregnancy and birth, psychologist Ariane Beeston wants to help other struggling mothers.
Why Victorians should keep looking to the night sky to be dazzled
After the aurora australis phenomenon painted our skies pink and green, a new celestial delight is headed our way (but it could be more fickle).
Analysis
AI
Australian at the centre of the high-stakes battle over AI has a warning for the world
There’s a war raging about the future of artificial intelligence - and Melbourne-born Helen Toner is in the thick of it.
Opinion
Work therapy
Can my job make me work on a public holiday without extra pay?
While being rostered on to work on a public holiday can feel like a tough gig, if your work has given you enough notice, there may not be much you can do.
Jonathan Rivett
Freelance writer
Opinion
Retirement living
Six financial foundations you need in place (long) before retiring
When you look at people retiring comfortably today, it’s easy to see what the most important foundations of a happy retirement are.
Bec Wilson
Money contributor
Opinion
Inside China
The West is completely unprepared for Xi Jinping’s next masterstroke
The US and its allies face a grim choice if China escalates tensions with Taiwan. It could lead to an economic catastrophe.
Philip Pilkington
Trump’s appetite for upheaval is as American as apple pie
Another Trump presidency might feature scenes of disunity and political violence. But that’s always been the American way.
Weekend reads
Exclusive
‘Doing what needed to be done’: The Aussie who impersonated the head of the British war machine
To deceive the Germans, MI5 recruited Australian actor Meyrick Clifton James.
Phone taps, diaries and a personals ad with ‘love’ to Lyn: Chris Dawson’s tangled web
On March 27, 1982, a 15-word ad appeared in a Sydney newspaper, urging “Lyn” to call “Chris”. The author had already murdered her, a judge found.
Victoria
Exclusive
City life
Locals love this cafe parklet. Businesses want the car spaces back
An on-street cafe and bar dubbed ‘The Birdcage’ is fighting back against a council order to shut down.
Melbourne’s migrant and manufacturing heart has taken some hits, but it’s still burning with ambition
Waves of migrants have called Broadmeadows home, wooed by cheap housing and plentiful jobs. As they brace for future growth, residents hope better education and community services are part of the plan.
Sex stays the same, but sex work changes
The internet has changed so many basic things in society – and the world’s oldest profession is one of them.
Police union wins battle for nine-day fortnight, endorses new pay deal
Police will get average annual pay rises of 4 per cent over the next four years and better working conditions in a new industrial agreement struck on Friday.
‘Costs add up’: Branded public school uniforms facing cut
Iron-on patches and generic items from chain stores are some ideas being considered by a review of uniforms at state schools.
AFL 2024
Pup steals the show from the big dogs in a battle of the wounded
The injury toll meant that many lesser lights were on show on Friday night, and one popped up to seal victory for the beset Bulldogs over the beleaguered Magpies.
‘Some clubs have got that wrong’: Inside the AFL’s growing injury toll
About 150 AFL players are out injured right now. It’s an alarming number, and Collingwood coach Craig McRae is among many startled by it.
Politics
Australian universities are under siege from all sides. Are they powerless in the face of political attacks?
The federal government’s use of international student numbers to slash migration puts universities’ business models at risk. Here’s why.
Business
‘Messy’: How Nine’s #MeToo moment arrived
It was only a matter of time before the tensions over sexual harassment inside Australia’s largest media organisation boiled over.
World
‘My rock’: Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama’s mother, dies at 86
A black woman who grew up in the 50s in segregated Chicago, Mrs R moved into the White House to watch her daughter become first lady of the United States.
Opinion
The bad thing about the Trump verdict? People celebrated it
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
How’s your Uber rating? Mine came as a shock
Julia Baird
Journalist, broadcaster, historian and author
Why a guilty verdict won’t dethrone King Donald
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
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Property
Melbourne suburbs where property prices are cheaper than five years ago
As investors shy away from the Melbourne market, a handful of areas have fallen below their 2019 prices.
Eight of our favourite homes for sale in Melbourne right now
Looking for your next home? From luxury beach chic to mid-century inspiration, we’ve got you covered.
Good Food
Lifestyle
‘It’s not your fault’: How to overcome shame after being scammed
Scams have become so sophisticated and numerous these days, so why is there still a stigma around those who fall victim to them?
Culture
Bridgerton star tipped for Aussie shark film from Succession producers
English actress Phoebe Dynevor, one of the stars of season one of Bridgerton, is set to star in a Hollywood thriller to be filmed in Melbourne.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Live
AFL 2024
AFL 2024 round 12 LIVE updates: Pressure high as Saints, Eagles struggle for goals; Hawks beat Crows
Follow along for all the major moments and post game reactions as AFL Saturday reaches round 12.
Dead Rebels: Why Rugby Australia killed Melbourne’s Super Rugby team
Rugby Australia officials are adamant it was a pragmatic business decision to kill the Melbourne Rebels; supporters of the Rebels say it was an unfair call and a “premeditated murder”.
Tennis star Zverev put ‘hands around neck’ of girlfriend, court hears
It was alleged German Alexander Zverev placed his hands around his former girlfriend’s throat with such force that she was unable to swallow without pain for several days.
Matildas escape at the death to draw with China in Adelaide - as it happened
It took a set piece and a 95th-minute Michelle Heyman goal for a flat Australian side to claim a 1-1 draw in the first of their final two pre-Olympic friendlies.
Pup steals the show from the big dogs in a battle of the wounded
The injury toll meant that many lesser lights were on show on Friday night, and one popped up to seal victory for the beset Bulldogs over the beleaguered Magpies.
Opinion
AFL 2024
Why Clarkson is in danger of becoming North’s greatest liability
Appointing the four-time premiership coach was meant to herald a bright new era for the Kangaroos, but things haven’t gone according to plan.
Caroline Wilson
‘Some clubs have got that wrong’: Inside the AFL’s growing injury toll
About 150 AFL players are out injured right now. It’s an alarming number, and Collingwood coach Craig McRae is among many startled by it.
Have Your Say
‘Fearless’ Warner chasing grand slam of world titles with Australia at T20 cup
Australia are aiming to add the world Twenty20 trophy to go alongside their Test championship and one-day cup triumphs over the past 12 months.