Opinion
Latest
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Think the Middle East doesn’t affect us? Payman’s exit tells a different story
Senator Fatima Payman’s resignation from the Labor Party is a symptom of the Middle East’s capacity to impose itself on Australian politics, no matter how distant it is.
- by Rodger Shanahan
Analysis
Gas
Yes, we really are dumb enough to import our own gas. Here’s why
There’s plenty of blame to go around for the current mess we’re in.
- by Mike Foley
Opinion
US politics
Forcing Biden out would have only one beneficiary
By building a case for Joe Biden’s incapacity, Democrats risk increasing the probability of the thing they most desperately seek to avoid.
- by Charles M Blow
Labor’s caucus system a valuable part of democracy
While some may view the Labor pledge of caucus solidarity as a quaint anachronism, it remains the bedrock on which Labor has built a reputation as a stable party of reform and progress.
Analysis
UK election
So long UK Conservatives, and thanks for all the memes
The tumultuous Thatcher years were memorialised in song and literature, but this current generation of Tories are probably best forgotten.
- by Rob Harris
Analysis
Political leadership
Fatima Payman has hurt Labor badly. And she isn’t done yet
Senator Fatima Payman’s defection to the crossbench has caused major damage to the government. And she isn’t done yet, either.
- by James Massola
Editorial
Fatima Payman
Payman’s short-lived rebellion ends in a whimper – for now
Mystery still surrounds why Senator Fatima Payman mounted her one-woman rebellion.
- The Herald's View
Opinion
England
The Bazball reality: England entertain, but their opponents win
England’s lofty Bazball rhetoric is divorced from the reality that Ben Stokes’ team faces. They entertain; their opponents win.
- by Daniel Brettig
Opinion
Insolvency
A series of unfortunate events: Demise of Booktopia is a page turner
A blindingly bright-coloured flag appeared only a month ago when the listed company told the market that directors’ fees for the year would be paid by issuing shares, rather than in cash.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
NACC
Amid champagne gifts and shameless rorting, one institution is fighting back
The national audit office has released a series of scandalous reports that show our public bureaucracy falling apart, at a cost to us all.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Workplace culture
We need to get out of ‘meeting hell’. Here’s how
There are several ways to break our addiction to meetings, ranging from large measures to small tweaks.
- by Tim Duggan
Opinion
Interest rates
How the Trump-Biden debate increased the chance of a rate rise in Australia
A rise in Australian bond yields this week shows how a showdown between two elderly and less-than-impressive politicians could send ripples of unease throughout the global system.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
AFL 2024
Too many whingers: Why the footy sook-fest has to stop
The constant complaining in the AFL has gone too far and threatens to tarnish the code’s reputation as Australia’s premier sport.
- by Kane Cornes
Opinion
Wildlife
Fun gal seeks fungi … because mushrooms have had such a bad rap
I won’t settle for any old fungus when I’m out foraging. I’m going for the holy grail.
- by Jo Stubbings
Opinion
Paris 2024
Sorry, but rugby players posing in lingerie in 2024 is not ‘regressive’
Just as female athletes are transcending stereotypes, their agency is being stripped by former female athletes applying the very paternalistic lens they themselves sought to escape.
- by Emma Kemp
Opinion
NRL 2024
The bunker is getting it all wrong. These are the changes it needs
The way we use video review technology is driving me crazy. But there are ways to improve it for the fans.
- by Andrew Johns
Opinion
Political leadership
Labor believes Fatima Payman’s rebellion was plotted for a month
The young senator’s decision to cross the floor and to later speak out against her party bears all the hallmarks of a carefully co-ordinated plan, according to Labor figures.
- by Niki Savva
Opinion
Factional politics
Wagga Wagga boo-boo? Perhaps, but Speakman must defang yappy Nats
If the NSW Coalition can almost fall apart over a juvenile spat, the leader must take change and reassert his authority.
- by Alexandra Smith
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