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Three meetings, one minister, a $27m contract … and the $135m blowout
Tech giant Salesforce met with then-cabinet minister Stuart Robert three times before securing a lucrative contract, sparking strong criticism from a parliamentary inquiry.
‘Very negligible’: Premier plays down explosion effect on power prices
Long-awaited detail into the breakdown of a major Queensland coal power station in 2021 has added fuel to claims about its role in increased power bills.
Ambulance crews called to several crashes in Brisbane overnight
Several people were taken to hospital overnight after separate crashes across Brisbane.
How does Billy overcome this? Four things learnt from Maroons’ horror
How does Billy Slater pick Queensland up from this, in what looms as the greatest test of his coaching career?
How the Blues bullied Reece Walsh out of the game
The effects of Joseph Suaalii’s knock-out blow could be seen in every part of Reece Walsh’s game on Wednesday night.
Hero to some, traitor to others, Assange touches down with defiant salute
Julian Assange stepped onto Australian soil for the first time in 14 years, his wife Stella signalling the start of a campaign for a presidential pardon.
Why it’s a better time to buy a home right now
The scales are tipping in buyers’ favour and sellers are losing the upper hand at auction, new figures show.
Bonza likely traded while insolvent, say administrators
Hall Chadwick has issued a damning report into the failed budget carrier which found Bonza should have entered administration earlier than it did.
August rate rise on RBA agenda after inflation increases
Even though prices fell in May, overall inflation has lifted to a six-month high of 4 per cent. Mortgage holders face a nervous wait for the Reserve Bank’s next meeting.
‘Don’t try it’: Magistrate warns bus victim’s loved ones over court outbursts
Tia Cameron’s family and friends filled the small courtroom and were forced to stand, with some swearing and insulting the 70-year-old defendant.
Does the latest trendy drink promising good gut health actually work?
One brand has been hit with a lawsuit from a customer citing misleading information about the drink’s benefits.
Why you now have to pay to watch Australia’s best TV dramas
There’s no shortage of high-quality Australian drama right now, but you’ll need multiple subscriptions to view the shows.
Roisin Gallagher shines in this darkly comic ‘Irish Fleabag’
In the vein of This Way Up and Derry Girls, The Dry is a female-driven comedy that celebrates the uncomfortable and brittle edges of family life.
Queensland
Children’s Health Queensland fined for discriminating against pregnant worker
The woman claimed she had been discriminated against on the basis of gender and pregnancy when her contract was not extended.
Another music festival cancelled as government looks for expert help
After 17 years, the Caloundra Music Festival has been scrapped due to rising costs. One industry veteran says it’s time to reconsider the role of such events.
Man appeared to be escaping before fatal fall: police
Police have told an inquest Mario Giovanni Merlo appeared to be attempting to escape the apartment balcony “like it was a foot off the ground” before falling without a sound.
CFMEU plans new theatre and events centre, before new unit development
One of Queensland’s most controversial unions is planning to build a new theatre and conference centre at Bowen Hills, complete with a rooftop bar.
Courts release dramatic footage of drunk driver arrest
Last year, a member of the public filmed an officer repeatedly punching a drunk driver in the face. But new vision from police shows what happened before the incident.
Politics
The politicians who skipped question time to fawn over Tucker Carlson
The conspiracy-peddling favourite of the global Trumpian right visited Australia’s corridors of power. But tour promoter Clive Palmer was nowhere to be seen.
Business
Opinion
Casinos
The ex-poker player who played a winning hand to get Star’s top job
Steve McCann doesn’t need to meet any financial hurdles to receive a gargantuan pay package, but he’s still the best insurance policy The Star board can buy.
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
World
Claire’s 70th birthday present? Driving utes into a war zone
Claire and her two sons cruised from London through Germany and Poland. The mood changed considerably as they showed their paperwork while crossing Ukraine’s border.
Opinion
Macron’s snap election could trigger the next debt crisis
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
I’m relieved for Julian Assange. I’m also deeply concerned
Peter Greste
Author, journalist and academic
Explore
Property
Brothers offload North Bondi investment for $1.27m to buy homes
The two-bedroom apartment with two car spaces sold at auction for $30,000 more than its near-identical neighbour, which was purchased four weeks ago.
The regional property markets tipped to hit fresh records in the next year
The COVID-era tree- and sea-change boom is over, but some states can expect to see their regional house price markets improve in the next year.
Good Food
Recipe collection
Best of
The 50 most popular new recipes of the year (so far)
Lifestyle
★★★★
Airline reviews
Review: Qantas economy surprisingly good, despite codeshare woes
It turns out Qantas and its codeshare partner don’t speak to each other, which causes a few hassles on an otherwise comfortable flight.
Opinion
Aviation
Alarms will be sounding at Qantas, but not in the cockpit
David Evans
Former Qantas captain
Culture
Exclusive
Media & marketing
Telstra’s ad campaign celebrates Australia. It was made in Poland
A series of new ads for Telstra features Australian voices and remote Australian locations. But it was made in Eastern Europe – and local creatives are angry.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Opinion
State of Origin
Tragic to Madge-ic to ... Brisbane, where Origin cycles on and all bets are off
Origin really only knows one way: profound despair followed by uncontrolled hubris. It’s the Blues’ turn to enjoy the high.
Malcolm Knox
Journalist, author and columnist
State of Origin player ratings: How the Blues and Maroons fared in game two
How the 34 players fared when the 2024 series graced the hallowed turf of the MCG.
Worst over ever: Ashes villain smacked for record 43 runs
England pace bowler Ollie Robinson had returned figures of 1-22 from 12 overs in a county match in England.
Updated
State of Origin
Blues blitz sets up series decider in Brisbane after MCG demolition
Mitchell Moses’ sublime kicking and passing won NSW the game within 20 minutes, and iced it at the hour.
Chammas at the MCG
State of Origin
Moses floored Maroons prop three seconds in. It was the start of a masterclass
The incident signalled the intention of the Blues, who steamrolled the Queenslanders early on.
Updated
State of Origin
Three-game series? Tick. Next stop for the women’s game? 80-minute matches
Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder says elite female rugby league players are ready to play 80 minutes, the same as their male counterparts.
Australia’s 20 most memorable Games moments
Freeman or Thorpe? Rugby sevens gold or water polo glory? We take a walk down memory lane.
Have Your Say
No one can overcome my kiss of death – not even the mighty Maroons
Mitchell Moses led NSW to the promised land, defying my best work.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
