Opinion
Latest
Payman and Palestine challenge our democratic comfort zone
It’s time for Labor to not just allow a conscience vote to its members on issues regarding Gaza but for our society as a whole to acknowledge there is more than one worldview for our collective future. Surely we need this honest discussion more than ever?
Opinion
Regulation
More dog than watchdog: How to fix our broken corporate regulator
ASIC has failed in its sole mandate to enforce the country’s corporate laws and is in a “dire” state with an unenviable prosecutorial rate.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Editorial
Universities in crisis
International student numbers not easy to cut without dire results
The Albanese government’s plan to cut international student numbers could be disastrous, according to universities and business.
- The Herald's View
Opinion
AFL 2024
Is Darcy Moore really playing ‘awful’ footy? Cornes and McClure go head-to-head
The two footy media heavyweights who don’t shirk the big issues are refusing to back down on Collingwood captain Darcy Moore. Here, they both make their case.
- by Sam McClure and Kane Cornes
Exclusive
NRL 2024
‘No one is going to help us’: Frustration at Eels as Moses launches dressing room tirade
A seething Mitchell Moses vented his frustration in an impassioned address to senior staff and players.
- by Michael Chammas
Opinion
Russia-Ukraine war
Why I left comfortable Melbourne and went into a war zone
A Ukraine local staying put despite the bombing told me, “I want to live my life so as not to be ashamed of myself to my ancestors in heaven when I die.” His words sum up why I went to Ukraine and did what I did.
- by James Baillieu
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Donald Trump’s dangerous ideas have these ‘vigilantes’ worried
With Donald Trump favoured to regain the US presidency, a group of investors is starting to focus on the implications of his core economic policies. They’re concerned.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Racism
I was heading off to study abroad, but now my phone is alive with alerts
I can’t help but envy the Anglo-Saxon students in my cohort going on exchange. For them, travel warnings take the form of earthquakes or avalanches.
- by Satara Uthayakumaran
Analysis
Political leadership
Payman v Albanese and the personal v the collective: Is Labor stuck in 1902?
The personal view of a young Muslim senator faces off with the oldest requirement of would-be ALP politicians, a written contract to observe the collective.
- by Tony Wright
Analysis
Health insurance
Why you could be wasting a lot of money on basic health insurance
Those on basic hospital policies may not realise they could be getting a lot more cover by paying a few more dollars a month.
- by John Collett
Opinion
Pension
How wealthy retirees cost taxpayers more than pensioners
In many cases, taxpayers are contributing more to support a self-supporting retiree’s lifestyle than a pensioner’s.
- by Julia Hartman
Opinion
Pension
We won the lottery, but lost our pension. Could we have prevented this?
Once you start spending your windfall, you may start to regain some of your lost pension. But consider yourself extremely fortunate and just enjoy the money.
- by Noel Whittaker
Opinion
Financial literacy
Pinch every penny? Not if you want to actually get ahead
While you’re collecting points to get $50 off or scouring aisles for discounts, you’re probably not focused on problems worth more in the long run.
- by Paridhi Jain
Analysis
Interest rates
Mortgage holders warned to brace for higher interest rates
Higher interest rates could be on the way if inflation does not soon show signs of slowing.
- by John Collett
Opinion
Income tax
Despite what we’re led to believe, tax cuts are no free lunch
Politicians like to peddle illusions when it comes to tax and tax cuts. Meanwhile, we play our role by deluding ourselves.
- by Ross Gittins
Analysis
Interest rates
The only certainty for your mortgage rate – Reserve Bank uncertainty
The Reserve Bank is supposed to have a handle on how the economy will perform over the next two years. Its minutes show it doesn’t.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Parenting
I lie to my kids and they lie to me. Some secrets need keeping
When I lied to my parents, I genuinely thought they believed me. These days we laugh about it, but it was an important rite of passage.
- by Nova Weetman
Senators represent the people, not the party
Senator Fatima Payman is not only entitled to cross the floor, she is obliged to do so if her representative conscience is not quietened by her party.
Editorial
NATO
Albanese should not be missing in action from NATO summit
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s rejection of an invitation to attend the NATO summit in Washington joins a growing list of dubious decisions.
- The Herald's View
Opinion
Big four
Why the CBA share price continues to defy gravity
A bunch of short-seller investors who last year placed expensive bets that CBA share price would fall are licking their financial wounds.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Wildlife
I wanted to turn this mother and baby away. My grandsons stopped me
I’ve never met a possum I didn’t hate, but a furry family – and some dedicated volunteers – have infested my hard heart.
- by Jenna Price
Opinion
UK election
Fool Britannia: Brits hoping for a return to the Blair-era glory days are dreaming
Where Tony Blair arrived at a point of hope, Keir Starmer enters at a point of despair. The excitement and pride of 1997 have given way to deep cynicism and Brexit division.
- by Gary Nunn
Opinion
Inside China
Xi Jinping will be desperate not to repeat his mistake from a decade ago
A critical moment looms for China with a meeting this month to set out its plans for the future. Xi Jinping will be treading carefully.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios stuns audience on his BBC debut – by being polite and thoughtful
This is a tennis player who simply could not shut up but the Aussie bad boy proved to be the opposite of his on-court demeanour.
- by Jim White
Analysis
AI
Would you trust AI to pick your investments? Here’s our verdict
A new investing tool that uses AI is a little underwhelming, but it could be of use for first-time investors looking for information.
- by John Collett
Opinion
Road safety
I thought I was a safe driver. Then … thud!
A routine car trip turned into a near tragedy. I still don’t know how it happened.
- by Kerri Sackville
Opinion
Assange saga
We see what we want: How Assange became a political Rorschach test
The founder of WikiLeaks helped turned the concept of left and right-wing politics on its head.
- by Maher Mughrabi
Opinion
Estate planning
Three things to keep in mind when planning your will
Twelve million Australians do not have a will, and 60 per cent have never given a thought to estate planning. That’s a serious situation.
- by Noel Whittaker
Analysis
US Votes 2024
‘King above the law’: Trump’s court victory has far-reaching implications
The US Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision along ideological lines is a clear victory for Trump but it will also have far-reaching implications for future presidents.
- by Aaron Blake
Opinion
Aviation
The West’s incompetence could surrender the skies to China
China is determined to become a major player in air travel, and the West is leaving the door open.
- by Matthew Lynn
Opinion
Interest rates
Two reasons why the RBA will have to hike rates again, and soon
When the RBA board next meets, I believe there’s a better-than-even chance it will raise rates for the first time in nine months to 4.6 per cent.
- by Steven Hamilton
Analysis
AFL 2024
How the AFL review became an orgy of club self-interest
There have been some sober, intelligent suggestions on potential changes to the AFL competition, but certain issues have been dominated by self-interest, point-scoring and whingeing.
- by Jake Niall
Opinion
Public transport
This European city is missing a service common in Australia - and we don’t miss it
At first, we thought the apps must have crashed. But within days, we realised it was something else entirely: there are no rideshare platforms in Denmark.
- by Caroline Zielinski
Hero, villain, or both? Untangling Assange’s divisive legacy
The Herald published two opinion pieces on Julian Assange. One was objective – the other revealed a superior tone conveying mockery, derision and oversimplification.
Opinion
US Votes 2024
I knocked Biden out of the race in ’87. Almost four decades later, he needs to quit again
In Washington, people often become what they start out scorning. This has happened to Joe Biden.
- by Maureen Dowd
Editorial
LNP
NSW Liberal leader must stand his ground against junior Coalition partners
After 97 uninterrupted years, one side of the NSW Coalition is contemplating going its separate way.
- The Herald's View
Analysis
US Votes 2024
Who could replace Joe Biden? Here are 10 options for the Democrats
A meandering, occasionally incoherent and almost universally panned first-debate performance from Biden has led to calls for him to step aside, even by those loyal to him.
- by Aaron Blake
Analysis
NRL 2024
Changes Slater must consider for his biggest Maroons test
Billy Slater faces his greatest litmus test at the Maroons’ helm.
- by Nick Wright
Opinion
Alcohol
Barnaby’s booze ban? I’m thirsty for the details
As iron-cast as Barnaby Joyce’s willpower obviously is, those of us playing along at home were hoping for … something more.
- by Michelle Cazzulino
Analysis
Political leadership
King’s representative calls for an end to constant battle royal in parliament
As governor-general, Sam Mostyn is King Charles’ representative in Australia. But she has signalled a much broader remit.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Australian economy
Why we’re going into the new financial year carrying last year’s problems
It is difficult to see anything much that will stimulate corporate profits in the remainder of this calendar year.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
West Coast Eagles
Eagles’ third straight home defeat was not far off peak embarrassment
With the return of the club champion and the rising star this was meant to be the best version of West Coast in 2024. What eventuated was so far from it.
- by Paddy Sweeney
Analysis
AFL 2024
Magpies try one great escape too many; Hawks back in the box office
Craig McRae’s team has pulled off a number of death-defying comebacks, but on Saturday its luck ran out. Meanwhile, the Hawks are now among the league’s greatest showmen.
- by Andrew Stafford
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Why the world fears four more years of Trump
Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance has made the likelihood of a second Trump term far more real and has China and the rest of the world on edge.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Interest rates
Why interest rate speculators should get back in their box
The future of interest rates needs more brainpower and a lot less idle speculation.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Political leadership
Who knew? Governments do better when they actually govern
Rather than talking about policies that may never be, Labor was able to spend the week talking about tax cuts, wage rises and power bill rebates taking effect.
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
Assange saga
Assange may be free, but journalism everywhere is in chains
Journalists and publishers remain under threat all over the world, especially in our region. Australia, which is no beacon for media freedom, needs to step up.
- by Caoilfhionn Gallagher and Jennifer Robinson