Morning Edition newsletter
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
Trial by Water podcast
A new investigative podcast about one of Australia’s most controversial cases.
Sunday Life
Indulge in the best ‘me time’ reading with our new digital magazine edition.
The university rich list: Vice chancellors on $1 million salaries, revealed
Australia’s highest-paid vice chancellors are now earning six times their university’s senior professors as the union calls for an inquiry into wage theft.
Paying to play the field: Why singles like Carly are deleting dating apps
They have redefined romance, but the honeymoon is over for dating apps as users become mentally exhausted with the swiping, the small talk and the price tag.
Exclusive
Education
The 164-year-old school hamstrung by rent brawl between a charity and the government
The Victorian College for the Deaf says its St Kilda Road home is dilapidated and needs capital works, but the purchasing power of a $10 million government grant has eroded over four years.
Weighing up Melbourne’s markets: Cheapest, freshest, best vibes
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, Melbourne’s market traders say they are seeing an increase in new customers joining the regulars as shoppers seek out a bargains.
Australia’s east coast needs the equivalent of 26 new gas plants to back up renewables
Many new gas power plants will be needed to back up renewables, despite warnings that gas supplies are running out in the eastern states.
A budget forever in the red: Beating bracket creep with tax cuts will cost billions
Without big spending cuts or tax increases, the budget faces “forever” deficits if governments try to deliver further tax cuts to working Australians.
Unable to afford a home in Australia, this couple bought in Italy instead
Jaclyn Lofts and Joshua Beagley have embraced La Dolce Vita, purchasing a “lock and leave” holiday apartment in a small Italian village.
Opinion
Assange saga
The freedom messiah is free, but a few women won’t join the cheer squad
Julian Assange is a notable supporter of revolutions, but perhaps he draws the line at ones inspired by feminism.
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
Amid plenty of bad news, one airline in our region flies high
Fiji’s national carrier beat out Qantas and Air New Zealand to be named the region’s best airline in the World Airline Awards.
‘This is the pinnacle’: Whateley’s own Olympics dream realised as part of Nine coverage
Gerard Whateley has become a household name nationally, calling sports including Aussie rules, cricket and horse racing. But there was one sport missing from his resume.
Analysis
AFL 2024
How the Bombers ‘dropped the bundle’ in horror second half against Cats
It takes a lot to build trust, and a lot less for it to be lost. The credibility the Dons had slowly built in 14 games was eroded in one miserable half.
Seine awash with bacteria one month before open-water Olympic swimming
For the third consecutive week, water in the Paris river has exhibited unsafe levels of E.coli, raising concerns with the Olympics weeks away.
Podcast
Trial by Water
Trial By Water, Episode 5: The ‘golden thread’ in Robert Farquharson’s convictions
For Farquharson’s appeal to succeed, he’ll have to change the minds of people within a system that’s already twice decided he deserves to spend 33 years behind bars.
Even being hit by a truck didn’t stop this author finishing her novel
Irish author Caoilinn Hughes’ new book explores grief, isolation and sibling love and rivalry.
Exclusive
Legal Cannabis
Amnesty plea to allow medicinal cannabis users behind the wheel
A growing number of Victorians have been prescribed the treatment, but risk breaking the law if they use it.
Opinion
Ask an expert
Will I regret never buying a house and investing instead?
On the numbers, there’s seemingly an easy answer to your question. But can you really place a value on a roof over your head?
Paul Benson
Money contributor
Only one buyer turned up for this five-bedder. It passed in at $1.62m
The vendor placed two bids in the hope of kick-starting the auction of the California-style bungalow in Brunswick.
WEEKEND READS
It’s $400 a gram and we go through four tonnes of it a year: Australia’s cocaine addiction
Australia, it seems, is awash with cocaine, despite its high price and record police hauls – not to mention hospitalisations and deaths.
Investigation
Inside the AI ‘deepnude’ apps infiltrating Australian schools
The websites are currently legal in Australia, but many do not have adequate controls preventing them from generating images of children.
Victoria
This suburb is ‘centre of the universe’. Can it keep up with demand?
Among Chinese migrants, there is a term used to describe Glen Waverley. ‘Yu zhou zhong xin’ means ‘the centre of the universe’.
Labor’s ‘kumbaya moment’ that shifted the dial on pill testing in Victoria
Under former premier Daniel Andrews, pill testing was a non-starter. Almost overnight it became a matter of urgency for his successor.
Updated
Crime
Man charged with murder after fisherman’s death on Frankston pier
A homeless man has been charged with murder after the stabbing death of an angler at the bayside pier in the early hours of Saturday.
Exclusive
Dating
Gabriel knows dating apps game their customers, it used to be his job
Review farms, fake women messaging men and staff able to read your every message – the inside world of a dating app.
When uni goes back, Renee won’t be there. She’s been banned for protesting
More students at Melbourne universities are waiting to see if they will cop “draconian” penalties such as expulsion over pro-Palestine protests on campus.
AFL 2024
Where the Suns do shine: Gold Coast keep home games record intact
Ben Long’s two goals, and a final assist to Ben Ainsworth that sealed the result, were critical to the Suns’ win that came after Collingwood stormed back from a 32-point deficit late in the third term.
Swans’ pursuit of an 11th straight win decided by kick after the siren
Sydney forward Logan McDonald had the chance to add another chapter to Sydney’s impressive 2024 campaign.
Politics
Opinion
Julian Assange
Assange may be out of jail, but in Australia he’s on probation
Is Julian Assange capable of actual, ethical journalism, and how will he repay the Australian government for its intense efforts in his cause?
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Business
Luxury clothing family to sell old uni building in hip city lane
The Poulakis family, owners of luxury clothes retailer Harrolds, are selling the old Victoria University CBD campus.
World
‘There are going to be discussions’: How the Democrats could replace Joe Biden
Delegates pledged, money spent, ballots printed: with Biden having already secured a presumptive nomination, the Democrats’ prospects for a course change are diminishing.
Opinion
There’s no warning when you do something wonderful for the last time, so here’s what I do
Julia Baird
Journalist, broadcaster, historian and author
Trump monstered Biden. The Democrats can’t win with Joe
Bruce Wolpe
Senior fellow at the US Studies Centre and former political staffer
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Property
The Melbourne suburbs where it’s cheaper to buy than rent
Rocketing rents in Melbourne mean tenants would be better off paying a mortgage in certain areas – and some are fast-tracking their plans.
Rupert Murdoch slashes New York penthouse price by more than half
He reportedly paid just under $US58m a decade ago, then tried to sell for slightly more. He’s now asking $US28.5m.
Good Food
Recipe collection
Baking
Five old-fashioned biscuit recipes to bake this weekend
Lifestyle
We’re a nation obsessed with puffer jackets. But are they sustainable?
Australia’s unofficial winter uniform is being re-engineered to make it kinder to the planet. But consumers will need an investment mindset.
Culture
The hidden costs that are killing live music festivals
Pill testing could make attendance at music festivals and events much safer – but it could dramatically increase the financial risk borne by festivals.
Opinion
Literature
Australia’s last reader was on my tram, travelling to another world
Anson Cameron
Spectrum columnist, The Age
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Analysis
AFL 2024
Who are the iron men of the AFL? The names and numbers behind them might surprise you
They are not necessarily speed demons or endurance beasts, but these players give their coaches tactical flexibility. And at a time when the tag is back, their importance is greater than ever.
Scott annoyed by Essendon’s loss of composure; Bulldogs still ‘on edge’ despite victory
On a frenetic day of footy, Sydney were pipped by Fremantle, there was a shock for Collingwood and Marcus Bontempelli shone for the Doggies. Geelong regained their form to take down a disappointing Essendon with Brad Scott frustrated by a lack of composure.
‘This is the pinnacle’: Whateley’s own Olympics dream realised
Gerard Whateley has become a household name nationally, calling sports including Aussie rules, cricket and horse racing. But there was one sport missing from his resume.
One player has copped $14,375 in fines this year. The AFLPA wants changes
Players have told the AFLPA they are being stung by excessive fines, disproportionate to their indiscretions, and want transparency to show how the money is being spent by the league.
‘It’s Netflix – it’s got to be drama’: Australian star speaks out on rivalry ahead of Tour de France
Jai Hindley headlines the group of six Australians who will start the 111th Tour de France on Saturday – a race defending champion Jonas Vingegaard enters on the back of a death-defying crash.
Analysis
European Championships
Robotinho predicts the result of every round of 16 match at Euro 2024
Spain thrilled, Austria surprised and England, predictably, stank the place out during the group stage. But how will they and the other 13 teams left at Euro 2024 fare in the first knock-out round of the competition?
Robotinho, Mark Stehle and Emma Kemp
Wimbledon’s green and gold invasion: The task ahead for the 14 Australians
Alex de Minaur and Ajla Tomljanovic headline the 14 Australians set to contest this year’s Wimbledon championships. Alex Bolt has made it after playing in Mildura and Swan Hill earlier this year.
Have Your Say
State of Origin can work again for the AFL. Here’s how
There’s a way to do it that would contribute to Australian rules football overall, placate those concerned about injuries and still ensure a worthy spectacle.
Vince Rugari
Reporter
