Opinion | Comment & Analysis | WA Today

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Opinion

Advertisement
Zelenzky and Marles.

Australia refuses to match allies sanctioning China over support for Russian war

The UK, US and the EU are among those sanctioning Chinese companies accused of helping Russia wreak havoc in Ukraine. The Albanese government is an outlier.

  • by Lisa Visentin

Latest

President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House after the attack on Donald Trump.

Biden planned to ramp up his attacks on Trump. Now those plans are in disarray

The US president faces a delicate balancing act in his campaign for re-election as America reels from the attempted assassination.

  • by Farrah Tomazin
CFMEU boss John Setka in June.
Analysis
Building Bad

It’s a union, not a bikie gang: CFMEU needs a serious overhaul, not more of the same

The union’s national body wants policymakers and the public to think it’s taken a strong step. It hasn’t.

  • by Ben Schneiders

See ya, Setka! Why union chief’s departure is good news for women

It took a long time for the CFMEU to be rid of John Setka. Now it finally is.

  • by Jenna Price
Opinion
Bank fees

Old habits are hard to kick for banks. They’re behaving badly – again

Six years after the royal commission, there are signs of a re-emergence of poor behaviour. At the very least this looks like conduct slippage.

  • by Elizabeth Knight
Djokovic was outplayed in every facet of the match by Alcaraz.
Analysis
Wimbledon

Out-served, outgunned, outplayed: Is this the end of the Djokovic era?

Doubting Djokovic is a dangerous game, but even he is starting to do it.

  • by Marc McGowan
Advertisement
Merchandise is for sale on a table before Republican presidential candidate former president Donald Trump.

Trump’s radical policy agenda looms larger after the shooting

A second Trump presidency could lead to a new breakout of inflation in the US, even as the Federal Reserve board’s independence would be under threat.

  • by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Trump rally shooting GIF.

Why attack on Trump is no watershed moment for America

Unable to confront its murderous past, America continues to suffer from historical amnesia when it comes to political violence.

  • by Nick Bryant
England soccer fans react after their team was beaten by Spain.

At the final whistle, England looked as if they had their hearts ripped out

England’s 58 years of misery goes on as the ultimate prize of a major soccer title slips away again.

  • by Oliver Brown
One in three Australian women will experience birth trauma.
Opinion
Pregnancy

‘This is your fault’: The doctor’s words that left me with PTSD

It’s only now – 24 years later – that I am able to discuss it, and I still cry. Birth trauma is still vastly overlooked, but its impacts can last a lifetime.

  • by Beth Knights
Craig McRae realises that time is running out for the battling Magpies.
Analysis
AFL 2024

Time running out for Magpies, Greene is good for football: Key takeouts from round 18

Collingwood’s chances of making finals now appear worse than slim, Sam Mitchell’s coaching ability has been on display this season and the Bulldogs’ roller-coaster continued with an impressive win over Carlton.

  • by Peter Ryan
Australia’s real wages have fallen 4.8 per cent since 2019 - a larger than most OECD countries.

OECD’s message to our inflation warriors: calm down, she’ll be right

International public servants in Paris have reminded us that Australia’s real wages are too low. So why is the RBA so worried about continued high inflation?

  • by Ross Gittins
Illustration: Jim Pavlidis

Trump fomented political violence. Now, an already fraught election just got worse

Political violence in the US is rare, but has a dark heart beating just out of sight. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump has seen it burst to the surface again.

  • by Bill Wyman
The light from the hill of liberalism, Liberal Party founder Robert Menzies.

True history of the Black Hand, the Liberals who have kept Menzies’ flame alive

In 1984, I was the youngest Liberal invited to the founding of a forum whose mission was to maintain the party’s liberal values. The spirit of Menzies still thrives.

  • by George Brandis
Zach Merrett was well held against the Demons, with drastic results for Essendon,
Opinion
AFL 2024

The worries for Essendon heading to September

In Four Points this week: the loss to Melbourne highlighted areas of concern for the Bombers, who flattered to deceive against the Pies. Plus, Collingwood’s draft gamble looks like coming unstuck and Carlton must move to a one-ruck system.

  • by Michael Gleeson
Jake Fraser-McGurk has made an eye-catching start to his international career.

Australia are about to tour England. This is why it’s bad for cricket

Cricket’s international calendar will be placed under renewed scrutiny when Australia tour Scotland and England next month for a series of matches with no meaning or context whatsoever.

  • by Daniel Brettig
Advertisement
Former President Donald Trump is surrounded by US Secret Service agents at a campaign rally.
Analysis
US election

Thankfully, Trump sustained only a minor injury. But his political stocks may receive a major gain

The increased readiness to maim and kill is not a Republican or Democrat syndrome but an advancing American psychosis.

  • by Peter Hartcher
Supporters wait for Donald Trump to take the stage ahead of the chaos.

Attempt on Trump’s life was only a matter of time

I’ve been to more Donald Trump rallies than I can count. Every time I have feared that something as awful as this would happen.

  • by Farrah Tomazin
Matthew Flinders portrait by Antoine Toussaint de Chazal.
Opinion
History

A hero’s welcome home for Flinders, two centuries too late

Explorer Matthew Flinders gave Australia its name. He had too much ambition to “rest in the unnoticed middle order of mankind”, but too many of us forget.

  • by Peter FitzSimons
Nick Kyrgios (right) has enjoyed his commentary stint on the BBC alongside another former tennis bad boy, John McEnroe.
Analysis
Nick Kyrgios

Is Nick Kyrgios serious about a comeback, or just playing Djoker?

He’s become Novak Djokovic’s practice partner at Wimbledon and made an impact as a TV commentator, but the lure of centre court still beckons the Australian tennis drawcard.

  • by Marc McGowan
Sharn Freier celebrates with Mary Fowler after scoring Australia’s goal against Canada.
Analysis
Paris 2024

Headaches mounting for Matildas as Foord joins growing injury list

The Matildas have fallen 2-1 to Canada in their last warm-up match before the Paris Olympics, with coach Tony Gustavsson left sweating over the fitness of Caitlin Foord.

  • by Vince Rugari
Michael Maguire and Gorden Tallis.
Analysis
NRL 2024

The Souths axing behind war of words between Maguire and Tallis

Paul Gallen has fired back at Gorden Tallis after the Maroons legend’s attack on Blues coach Michael Maguire.

  • by Danny Weidler
Clarisse Agbegnenou, Sara Balzer, Sasha Zhoya, and Leon Marchand are some France’s best medal hopes at their home Olympics.
Analysis
Paris 2024

Homegrown hopes for Paris: The French stars carrying the weight of a nation

Around 10,500 athletes and 15 million tourists are expected in the French capital for the Olympics, where much of the attention will be on those hoping to make their home advantage count.

  • by Rob Harris
Scott Johnson and his brother Steve.
Opinion
LGBTQ

I thought I knew the brilliant Johnson brothers, but Steve had more to reveal

As he fought to have them investigate his brother’s death, police resented Steve Johnson’s wealth, but he wasn’t born to money.

  • by Rick Feneley
A super top-up using rental income is possible.

Can we put our rental income back into super?

There are no limits on adding to your super until you hit a certain age, but there’s a question of why you’d want to.

  • by Paul Benson
Employees covered under EBAs are lucky enough to get a guaranteed annual wage increase. Just don’t call it a ‘pay rise’.

You might be earning more, but is it really a ‘pay rise’?

Employees covered by EBAs are lucky enough to receive a guaranteed annual wage increase. Just don’t call it a “pay rise”.

  • by Victoria Devine
Advertisement
ESG investing is experiencing an unprecedented boom.
Opinion
Renewables

What if renewables don’t deliver the cheapest power, after all?

We must reduce emissions. But while the science is settled, the costings are not.

  • by Parnell Palme McGuinness
Rachel Wotton with a client, from the documentary Scarlet Road.
Opinion
Disability

Bill Shorten is wrong. The case for NDIS funding of sex workers

Sex worker Rachel Wotton specialises in providing services to people with disability – and she’s furious that the NDIS minister has declared that they do not deserve her support.

  • by Peter FitzSimons
Investing in the cryptocurrency space can be daunting.
Opinion
Hip pocket

What’s the go with crypto: Is Bitcoin still a good investment?

For genuine investors who are interested in the crypto space but know little about it, the confusing and unregulated industry can pose a daunting barrier to entry.

  • by Dominic Powell
Illustration: Dionne Gain

Lazy workers are licking their lips as the right-to-disconnect laws loom

From next month, protective workplace measures with good intentions will be exploited by slack employees and put hardworking colleagues at risk.

  • by Paul O'Halloran
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Filipo Daugunu of the Wallabies scores a try during the International Test Match between Australia Wallabies and Wales at AAMI Park on July 13, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Wallabies 36 Wales 28
Wallabies

‘We have to be better’: Flying Filipo saves blushes as Wallabies secure win over Wales

The Wallabies kept up their winning ways under Joe Schmidt but Wales threw the kitchen sink at them.

  • by Iain Payten
One that got away: Sam Draper looks dejected after the defeat.
Analysis
AFL 2024

Bombers exposed as unworthy of the top-two spot on offer

After the Western Bulldogs’ upset of Carlton earlier on Saturday, Essendon were looking at second on the ladder with a win at the MCG. They played the first 15 minutes like it would be a walk in the park.

  • by Andrew Stafford
Welcome to a world of toxic positivity, where ‘team players’ and ‘thought leaders’ are continually energised and thrilled by their own success but mostly excited to witness your downfall.
Opinion
LinkedIn

Is it great to connect? The many lies of LinkedIn

Welcome to a world of toxic positivity, where ‘team players’ and ‘thought leaders’ are continually energised and thrilled by their own success but mostly excited to witness your downfall.

  • by Thomas Mitchell
St Kilda president Andrew Bassat (right) embraces Josh Battle following the Saints’ win over the Swans.
Analysis
AFL 2024

How the Saints can lose this Battle, but win the war

St Kilda could net early first-round compensation if Josh Battle leaves, so it may just be in the Saints’ best interests to let him walk.

  • by Jake Niall
Max Holmes of the Cats runs with the ball.
Analysis
AFL 2024

‘Definitely a way to play them’: Scott hints at the way to battle the Pies; umpires make a shock rule tweak

Max Holmes explains an embarrassing mid-game moment, while Chris Scott responds to a new-look umpiring interpretation that caught players by surprise.

  • by Danny Russell
Angus McDonald’s portrait of Marcia Langton.
Opinion
Review

A critic’s pick of the best and worst of the Archibald Prize portraits

A handful of works stand out from a selection that seems to have been made for variety rather than quality.

  • by John McDonald
Advertisement
Wait Mate co-founder Jessica Mendoza-Roth said smartphones “are like pokies in children’s pockets”.

How do children tell if online news is fake? Here’s a slip, slop, slap-up idea

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to saving our children from the impact of prolonged scrolling on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.

  • by Bryce Corbett
The Olympic flame on its way from Greece to Paris.
Opinion
Paris 2024

Olympic Games: The truce is out there

The Olympic Games are full of grand, empty gestures. This time, though, the truce feels like it matters in a turbulent world.

  • by Greg Baum
Trying to always ‘keep up with the Joneses’ can be something many people fall victim to as they get older.

Are you guilty of these five midlife money myths?

It can feel easy to take financial shortcuts as you get older. But these myths will stop you from having a healthier, wealthier and wiser retirement.

  • by Bec Wilson
The Bank of Mum and Dad is one of Australia’s most popular lenders.

Giving money to your kids? Here’s how to avoid catastrophe

More and more parents are looking at ways to gift their children money while still having enough for themselves.

  • by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders go through one of their routines. “Why are these skilled performers treated with such contempt and disrespect?”

Don’t jeer at cheerleaders until you’ve watched this show

A Netflix documentary series forces many of us – including me – to rethink long-held stereotyping of cheerleaders as simply pin-ups of the patriarchy.

  • by Julia Baird
Illustration by Jim Pavlidis

The West, like Biden, is in the wars. But the architects of peace are mobilising

Despite rising global uncertainty and geopolitical anxiety, Western democracies have started building the “sinews of peace” to prevent another colossal war.

  • by Peter Hartcher
Despite allegations of animal welfare abuses, the premier says the sport will continue in NSW.

Dogs’ days are over, and it’s only eight years too late

The news this week was as sickening as it was predictable. Cats may have nine lives, but surely the greyhound racing “industry” has run out of second chances.

  • by Peter FitzSimons
Thursday night at the Wentworth Park greyhound racetrack.

Urine samples, soft-serves and an empty grandstand: A night out at the greyhound track

A horror week of headlines for the greyhound racing industry didn’t deter regular punters from watching the dogs on Thursday. We thought we’d go along.

  • by Anthony Segaert
Cody Walker sets up Bradman Best for a debut Origin try last year.

The Blues game plan produced Origin carnage. Here’s how Queensland combat it

NSW nailed 40 perfect minutes of Origin football in Melbourne. Can they reproduce it for an entire 80 minutes in Brisbane?

  • by Dan Walsh

Double, double toil and trouble: Can England, Blues and Rory shake off their curses?

The fascination is gruesome, morally dubious but endlessly fascinating. You keep watching, but are you cheering for the competitors or for the curse?

  • by Malcolm Knox
Advertisement
Prince Charles attempts to breakdance in 1985.

Breakdancing Charles was cooler than Prince William will ever be

Sure, William dances to Shake It Off and rides an electric scooter around Windsor Castle, but nothing will rival his father’s valiant attempt to breakdance in 1985.

  • by Kate Halfpenny
Opinion
Renewables

Renewables v nuclear: the facts point to one clear winner

Australia’s huge natural advantage of best-in-world solar and wind make renewables the clearly superior option. So why the debate?

  • by Rod Sims
 Alphonse Mucha
Opinion
Review

When was the last time a soap ad gave you spiritual pleasure?

Alphonse Mucha made the bold claim that his posters turned the street in “open-air art exhibitions”.

  • by John McDonald
If the ultimate decision to let you go came as a surprise or simply wasn’t explained well, it’s not surprising that it would still occupy your thoughts - conscious and unconscious - years later.

Did getting fired give me work-related PTSD?

If the ultimate decision to let you go came as a surprise, it’s not surprising that it would still occupy your thoughts years later.

  • by Jonathan Rivett