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Opinion

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Opinion
Column 8

Positively glowing policy

And a champion take on genealogy.

Latest

Carly Sophia recently went on Hinge and had no matches, and then got a flood once she’d paid for a subscription.
Opinion
Dating

Dating apps are sheer hell. But I’m not ready to go ‘boy sober’, either

It takes every ounce of mental strength to not believe I am destined to end up with a man who thinks “doing” countries is a personality trait.

  • by Carly Sophia
Dutton’s Brexit

Nuclear versus renewables row is all about winning power

Although it is crucial that Australia demonstrates to the world that it will achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the nuclear versus renewables debate is largely about winning elections.

Manuel Graeber was sacked in November.

The asylum backdoor system for international students should be closed

The rise in the number of international students who enter Australia under the guise of studying but then apply for asylum suggests redemption for some, a rort for others.

  • The Herald's View
Sam Walker and the Roosters celebrate a try.
Opinion
NRL 2024

Why Sam Walker is the new Alfie Langer, and the next Maroons No.7

His dad played with Alfie Langer and, until now, there hasn’t been a player so similar to the little genius.

  • by Andrew Johns
Artwork: Monique Westermann

Identity politics has the power to be meaningful. If only we stopped making it an incoherent mess

Since the resignation of Senator Fatima Payman, fretting about identity politics has become a renewed national sport. Now it’s the frame through which all political actions must pass.

  • by Waleed Aly
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Growing divide:

How can Australians be so wealthy yet still be poor?

The average Australian’s wealth grew by about 10 per cent last year but the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots” is growing.

  • by Elizabeth Knight
A series of stable measures of the job market are all pointing in the same direction.

The crude piece of career advice I think about all the time

Next time you find yourself in a difficult situation at work, this admittedly crude advice might just help.

  • by Tim Duggan
The list of challenges facing Xi Jinping and China is growing.

The US is losing patience with China

A senior US official has taken aim at China, saying “more creative approaches may be necessary” to protect the global economy.

  • by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Kane Cornes says Adem Yze is being too soft on his players.
Opinion
AFL 2024

Cheerleader or coach? Adem Yze has a decision to make

The Richmond coach needs to stop being Mr Nice Guy if he is to get the best out of his players.

  • by Kane Cornes
Emmanuel Macron’s standing among the French public is at a new low.

Respect for Macron falls to new low among French public

Emmanuel Macron was once France’s young and charismatic president who embodied hope. He is now widely despised, considered narcissistic and disconnected.

  • by Rob Harris
George Clooney, Joe Biden, Julia Roberts and Barack Obama at the June fundraiser.

I love Joe Biden. But we need a new nominee

I saw Biden three weeks ago at my fundraiser for him. It’s devastating to say it, but he’s not the same man he was and he won’t win the election.

  • by George Clooney
Jessica Hull and Faith Kipyegon
Opinion
Paris 2024

‘She said I was marvellous’: Why world record breaker congratulated Aussie rival

Jessica Hull set an Australian record in the 1500m final of Sunday’s Diamond League meeting – but was still beaten by track legend Faith Kipyegon.

  • by Peter FitzSimons
Illustration: Dionne Gain
Opinion
Energy

Energy policy is becoming Australia’s own Brexit, and proving just as intractable

If the Coalition isn’t making up the policy as it’s going along, then it’s doing a Vegas-level impression of a political outfit that is.

  • by Shaun Carney

I’m attending my 50-year school reunion. This is what I’m expecting it to teach me

Yes, we get fatter, thinner, greyer, wrinklier and either balder or hairier or both, but I bet my old classmates remain essentially the individuals I remember.

  • by Jane Caro
Alex de Minaur’s reaction was muted after advancing to the quarter-finals because of a hip injury.
Analysis
Wimbledon

He’s no Lleyton-lite: Why a sore hip won’t halt the Demon’s rise

A hip injury robbed Alex de Minaur of his chance to play Novak Djokovic on Wimbledon’s centre court in the biggest match of his life, but his legitimacy as a player cannot be taken away.

  • by Marc McGowan
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Opinion
Column 8

A high calibre town

Better than living in oblivion.

I even get angry at people like me, people who are grumpy all the time.

The world is a bin fire, so why am I angry at a sink?

There is a lot to be furious about in the world right now, in the face of it all we are frustratingly impotent. We need targets for our anger, and we find them, everywhere.

  • by Kerri Sackville
Greyhound

State-sanctioned cruelty to greyhounds needs to stop

The fate of dogs in the racing industry reminds us yet again that this routine cruelty is morally unsustainable.

Mike Baird in 2016.

Why NSW Labor will not take the same road on greyhounds as Baird

Former premier Mike Baird stunned the industry when he banned greyhound racing. Labor watched on and will not follow his lead despite more damning revelations.

  • by Alexandra Smith
Greyhounds
SMH editorial
Greyhound racing

The greyhound racing industry has run its course

The NSW greyhound industry was unable to reform itself when it was given a second chance eight years ago. It has now been exposed for further failing to meet community expectations of how to treat animals.

  • by The Herald's View
Anjali Sharma with Senator David Pocock.

In 2022, I left court in tears. Standing in parliament felt like deja vu

Protecting current and future young Australians from the impacts of climate change is all we ask from our politicians. But still, they refuse to safeguard us.

  • by Anjali Sharma
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Sliding Doors moment: Will Demon limp out or step up against Djokovic?

Alex de Minaur has spoken about sliding being a key strategy for him on grass rather than something to avoid. But the rewards of such a tactic come with risks.

  • by Craig O'Shannessy
US President Joe Biden’s poor showing during the debate created uncertainty.
Opinion
Investing

Why markets are fretting less about this US election

Elections make for nervous sharemarkets. But this time it’s different for one reason.

  • by Elizabeth Knight
Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers.
Opinion
Bills

Stop fishing for red herrings and start fixing the problems

There’s an urgent need to lessen the cost-of-living crisis, provide more homes and drive investment. Playing the blame game is not helping anyone.

  • by Bran Black
Jeff Bezos is not happy about companies being targeted for not paying their fair share of tax.
Opinion
Retail

Amazon’s radical plan to fight off Shein and Temu

Amazon looks worried that it can’t beat the two Chinese juggernauts of low-priced online retailing. So it’s decided to join them.

  • by Stephen Bartholomeusz
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Tim Beresford, the chief executive of the Australian Financial Security Authority, there is a lot of misunderstanding by the public of how bankruptcy works
Analysis
Insolvency

New reforms welcomed after significant jump in bankruptcies

A likely reason for the spike, apart from higher interest rates, is the ATO’s resumption of collection of outstanding taxes after a pause during COVID.

  • by John Collett
Financial perfectionism often inhibits people from taking the actions and risks that would lead them to financial success more efficiently.

How do I avoid my kids being taxed at 66%?

Children are taxed at a much higher rate than adults, but this won’t apply to their own earnings.

  • by Noel Whittaker
It’s becoming harder and harder for first homebuyers to get a loan.

Why first-time buyers are finding it harder to get a mortgage

More first home buyers are struggling to get their mortgage applications over the line with lenders.

  • by John Collett
Teal MPs Allegra Spender (left) and Monique Ryan.

There are no ‘safe’ seats any more, and here’s why that’s good news

More power for crossbenchers at the federal level could be a good way to break the big-party logjam. It couldn’t could be worse than what we’ve got.

  • by Ross Gittins
To get loan help over the line explain how you intend to turn your circumstances around and understand that nothing – ever – is free

Sydney mayor’s brazen attempt to annex half an LGA

Despite the severe housing crisis, Sydney councils are spending an inordinate amount of time and energy plotting mergers and demergers they can’t afford.

  • by Michael Koziol
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Opinion
Column 8

The beer-ocratic movement is brewing

Where there are votes on tap.

Telstra CEO Vicki Brady: “As we propose specific changes, we will talk them through with our teams”.

Telstra must get pricing pain right to prevent a customer revolt

Realistically, Telstra was always going to re-price this year, so customers should have been waiting for that shoe to drop.

  • by Elizabeth Knight
Dane Gagai and Selwyn Cobbo
Analysis
NRL 2024

‘Point to prove’: Why returning stars’ traits may signal Maroons’ game plan

A Maroons champion feared his Origin days were over, but his selection could speak to how Queensland intend to counter their rivals in the decider.

  • by Nick Wright
Alex de Minaur has lost just one set on his way to the quarters.
Analysis
Wimbledon

‘I’m a different player’: How de Minaur can take down Djokovic

The biggest match of Alex de Minaur’s career has arrived as he prepares to face the great Novak Djokovic in a last-eight clash at Wimbledon. Both players are dealing with physical issues, but the numbers from this year’s Wimbledon suggest the Serb will be tough to beat.

  • by Marc McGowan
Zoya Patel and her son.
Opinion
Parenting

As the child of immigrants, I feel a loss for experiences my son will never have

I knew my partner and I were on the same page about raising children, but I didn’t anticipate the impossibility of giving my son full access to my culture and the opportunity to embrace his heritage.

  • by Zoya Patel
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There is very strong competition for selective school places.

Local high schools should be supported as well as selective ones

While some parents will always want to send their children to an independent school the possibilities if all other students attended their local high school are amazing. The local school’s NAPLAN results would be better. All students would live locally, rather than having to travel to a school out of their area.

Alex de Minaur beat Arthur Fils in the fourth round at Wimbledon but had to survive a small injury scare towards the end of the match.
Analysis
Wimbledon

‘A few painkillers will help’: Hip injury could dent one of de Minaur’s biggest weapons

Australia’s Alex de Minaur pulled off a stunning victory against Arthur Fils, and now faces grand slam great Novak Djokovic in a quarter-final that will be the biggest match of his life.

  • by Marc McGowan and Marnie Vinall
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Editorial
Editorial

Children in a cancer hospital are not soldiers of war

The Russian missile attack on a Kyiv paediatric hospital has brought worldwide condemnation yet Russia blamed Ukraine air defences.

  • The Herald's View
Violence in Alice Springs.
Analysis
Crime

What’s happening in Alice Springs?

The Northern Territory government has announced a three-night curfew in the town after recent “civil disturbances”.

  • by Ben Cubby
Holding onto the job: US President Joe Biden.

I’ve been covering Biden for years. I’m surprised Democrats let him run again

In 2020, the US president presented himself as a transitional figure who would unite the country before passing onto a new generation – yet here he is.

  • by Farrah Tomazin
Kamala Harris and Joe Biden

For Democrats, replacing Biden will solve one problem but create another

Joe Biden is the ultimate decider on whether to stay on or to step aside, but key meetings this week may force his hand and open the door for Kamala Harris.

  • by Bruce Wolpe
In the world of finance and investing, small mistakes can end up costing you a lot over time.
Analysis
Investing

Seven common investing mistakes to avoid at all cost

In the world of finance and investing, small mistakes can end up costing you a lot over time.

  • by Natasha Etschmann and Ana Kresina
Michael Clarke is sent on his way at Trent Bridge.
Analysis
Test cricket

Blond highlights: Keeping pace with Anderson’s remarkable 20-year Test career

Australians first laid eyes on a peroxide-tipped Jimmy Anderson more than two decades ago. As he prepares for his farewell from the Test arena, we pick out five of the pace legend’s finest moments.

  • by Dan Walsh
The UK economy remains in the doldrums.

The UK and France now have to deal with very uncertain futures

Two very different election outcomes last weekend have produced very similar challenges that the governments will struggle to deal with.

  • by Stephen Bartholomeusz
REST’s Andrew Lill says exposure to US tech stocks has helped its flagship Core Strategy Option to post good returns.

Strong year for super funds as banks, AI boost returns

Super funds have declared near double-digit returns for the past financial year, largely thanks to outstanding performances by a raft of tech companies.

  • by John Collett
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Propel Funeral Partners is Australia’s No.2 player in funerals and cremations.
Opinion
Budgeting

Why your funeral could be a great investment

The cost of funerals has risen 20 per cent in the past few years, so it’s important to have a plan in place when it comes to payment.

  • by Rachel Lane
Liam Martin loves the fact he is hated by Queenslanders.

History points to Maroons three-peat – but don’t put your glasshouse on it

After day one of the State of Origin gibber fest, it’s fair to say “bullying” will be the buzzword of choice in the lead-up to the decider.

  • by Andrew Webster
Incoming Eels coach Jason Ryles.
Analysis
NRL 2024

‘Broncos of the west’: How the Eels landed their man Ryles

Jason Ryles was mowing the lawn at his South Coast home when the phone call from Parramatta came through. The deal was done a few hours later.

  • by Michael Chammas
Illustration by Dionne Gain

Why Trump’s explosive Iran question stumped this former White House insider

Chris Miller’s tenure as Donald Trump’s defence secretary was a brief 72 days. He’s now considered a possibility to return to the job in a second Trump administration.

  • by Peter Hartcher