Trial by Water podcast
A new investigative podcast about one of Australia’s most controversial cases.
What in the World
Our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world.
Take The Age quiz
Test your knowledge of Melbourne and Victoria with Stephen Brook’s weekly quiz.
‘I knew I was screwed’: Greg Lynn details missing campers’ deaths to police
The former airline pilot told police he had tried to cover up the accidental deaths of Russell Hill and Carol Clay because it would have been an “absolute disaster” for his family and career.
Breaking
Australia votes
‘I’m not rushing back to politics’: Josh Frydenberg
Despite support from MPs who want him in a leadership position, Josh Frydenberg said he would back Amelia Hamer as the Liberal candidate for his former seat.
The four reasons Bruce Lehrmann thinks his appeal should succeed
The former federal Liberal staffer has argued that the evidence before the Federal Court did not support a finding that he raped Brittany Higgins.
Joanna just wanted a simple beauty treatment. The pain was ‘hell on earth’
After being burnt on her genitals during a traumatic beauty procedure, Joanna has joined medical experts to call for tighter regulations on the laser hair-removal sector.
Breaking
Immigration
Minister admits there are no detainee drones
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles made the sensational statement in an interview on Thursday during a bruising week for the government over immigration.
‘You are collaborating’: Wong attacks Greens over violent Gaza protests
The foreign affairs minister accused Greens politicians of collaborating with violent pro-Palestine protesters in fiery scenes at Senate estimates.
Qantas makes major change to how passengers board domestic flights
Qantas passengers will now be assigned group numbers that will determine when they can board.
Opinion
Oil
How the oil cartel’s grip on the world is getting weaker
The OPEC+ oil cartel’s power and influence is waning and it is being forced to make difficult choices as it grapples with a number of threats.
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Opinion
AI
Civilian deaths from killer drones are this generation’s ‘Oppenheimer moment’
The geopolitical tensions and challenges faced by physicists and other scientists 70 years ago in their search for nuclear arms control is now being replicated in the 21st century.
Mary Wareham
Contributor
Analysis
AFL 2024
Dempsey, Wardlaw, Wilson? Suspensions blow Rising Star race wide open
In key takeouts this week: An award that generally has a clear-cut winner most years will now crown arguably only the third-best eligible kid in the competition.
AFL Briefing
West Coast Eagles
West Coast to challenge Reid’s two-match ban; Veteran Hawk expects fellow forward to re-sign
West Coast will argue for Harley Reid’s suspension to be reduced for the dangerous “sling” tackle on St Kilda’s Darcy Wilson.
Four Points
For subscribers
Alas in Alice as Demons blow it big-time and another rule AFL should rethink
Melbourne got smashed by Fremantle, who aren’t known as a free-scoring team. It came just two weeks after an embarrassing loss to West Coast.
With Melania missing, her role in the post-conviction Trump campaign is more uncertain
How much is she willing to put up for a man who betrayed and humiliated her? And now that Trump is officially a felon, will she appear by his side as he campaigns?
Exclusive
Skin cancer
Hayley’s melanoma came back. Then scientists tried something different
The Sydney teacher is one of dozens of Australians who contributed to a global trial set to transform treatment of melanomas and, potentially, other cancers.
Albanese hits out at Sky News, mocks Morrison’s ministries
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken a swipe at Sky News, saying the outlet “occasionally don’t get things right”.
‘Straight out of The Castle’: Returning expat pays $2.3m to get into coveted Balwyn High School zone
A fresh coat of paint and new carpets helped attract seven parties to the 1970s home, but the location was the clincher.
Joy, humour and hurt collide in this profoundly human story
Deeply felt and searingly intelligent, Counting and Cracking has finally landed in Melbourne – and has all the makings of a modern Australian classic.
‘I felt I could understand this role’: Sarah Brightman on playing Norma Desmond
The world’s best-selling soprano makes her return to the stage for the first time in 34 years in Sunset Boulevard.
Editor's Picks
Just in
TRIAL BY WATER
Watch Farquharson’s police interview, for the first time outside of a courtroom
Following the crash that killed his three boys, this is what Robert Farquharson told police. Before this investigation, it had never been seen outside the courtrooms where he was convicted.
Video
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.
Victoria
‘They drive up and drive away’: How a St Kilda East street has become a caravan graveyard
There were 17 caravans left in a quiet side street next to St Kilda Cemetery last week, and residents say it’s much worse than just an eyesore.
Exclusive
Victorian budget
State Treasury quietly orders a sweeping review to gauge the value of privatising public assets
Treasury sought advice from investment banks as part of a review to see how much could be raised if public assets went private.
Exclusive
Private schools
Jewish school confident of move to Caulfield Hospital site
The school transports about 1000 students from Caulfield to Burwood each day and has called the hospital’s use of the Caulfield site a waste of valuable land.
Forget the cold, let’s go fly a kite, say well rugged-up ‘pilots’
Missing the big kite-flying events from India, Kaushal Parikh quit his office job two years ago to run kite festivals around the country.
Exclusive
Victorian Parliament
Inside the push to steal – and keep – Victoria’s businesses
Outside the public eye, the highest-taxing state in the nation is fending off threats from South Australia and Queensland.
AFL 2024
Hawthorn’s ‘rascal pack’: Inside the clash between Day and Ginnivan
Sam Mitchell has revealed Will Day’s explosive clash with teammate Jack Ginnivan during Saturday’s 27-point win over Adelaide was how the team’s “rascal pack” behave.
Goodwin on terrible loss: Coach says Dees ‘obliterated in every phase’; Dons’ winning streak ends
The Demons coach bemoaned a number of areas where his team was “poor” as they were plundered by Fremantle, while the Bombers are keeping their spirits up despite their first loss since round 4.
Politics
Exclusive
International affairs
The $50b gas deal Australia hopes will keep China quiet
Australia is offering a multi-billion-dollar lifeline to fast-track an offshore gas project the government hopes will keep Beijing at bay.
Business
Downsizing is not on the radar for most retirees, survey finds
Many retirees are concerned about running out of savings, while also wanting to help their kids. But most don’t want to respond by downsizing the family home.
World
German police officer dies after knife attack at anti-political Islam rally
The attack by the 25-year-old immigrant from Afghanistan comes as immigration presents a key issue in German politics.
Opinion
My father’s confession stunned me. In his mind, he was both the punisher and the victim
Susanne Davies
Adjunct Associate Professor
There are no fun facts about the next UK PM, but that’s his strength
George Brandis
Former high commissioner to the UK and federal attorney-general
Explore
Got a news tip?
Share information with our journalists securely and confidentially. Learn more
Property
The Melbourne suburbs where home owners can’t afford their mortgages
At least one in 30 households in hard-hit pockets have fallen behind on repayments, buckling under high interest rates and inflation.
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.
Good Food
Lifestyle
The men in Stephanie Alexander’s life are mostly ‘husbands of friends or gay’
“I get plenty of hugs from them and I am happy with that,” says the 83-year-old author and cook.
Culture
Joy, humour and hurt collide in this profoundly human story
Deeply felt and searingly intelligent, Counting and Cracking has finally landed in Melbourne – and has all the makings of a modern Australian classic.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
‘Don’t look hard and fit’: Demons under fire, but Gawn promises response against Pies
Melbourne skipper Max Gawn has promised a response against Collingwood after his team’s “unacceptable” loss to Fremantle, while a league great has questioned the Demons’ fitness.
Analysis
AFL 2024
Dempsey, Wardlaw, Wilson? Suspensions blow Rising Star race wide open
In key takeouts this week: An award that generally has a clear-cut winner most years will now crown arguably only the third-best eligible kid in the competition, Melbourne now have a battle on their hands to make the eight and the lesson Patrick Cripps handed to Jason Horne-Francis.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
West Coast to challenge Reid’s two-match ban; Veteran Hawk expects fellow forward to re-sign
West Coast will argue for a Reid’s suspension to be reduced for the dangerous “sling” tackle on St Kilda’s Darcy Wilson. Meanwhile, triple-premiership Hawk Luke Breust says he expects a fellow forward to remain at the club.
‘I kind of blew up’: Implosion sinks Minjee Lee as Yuka Saso claims second title
Australian Minjee Lee was top of the leaderboard in the final round of the US Open until it all started to unravel on the ninth hole at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania.
Four Points
AFL 2024
Alas in Alice as Demons blow it big-time, another rule AFL should rethink and hurrah for Hawks
Melbourne got smashed by Fremantle, who aren’t known as a free-scoring team. What’s more, it came just two weeks after an embarrassing loss to West Coast and when they had everything to play for.
How the NYPD became one of US cricket’s biggest supporters
The ICC turned to an unlikely source for participants in its Twenty20 World Cup trophy tour of New York – a police department youth program.
The Australian Open has a dilemma: can men and women keep playing together?
Five months out from this year’s event, there is still no official venue. Is the viability of one of the most historic golf tournaments under threat?
Have Your Say
Bring it on! Why I can’t wait for AFLW pre-season training to start
I’m not the only one who has an exciting new challenge ahead of them this AFLW season. While pre-season training promises to be testing, I can’t wait for it to start on Monday.
Libby Birch
AFL columnist
