‌‌

Opinion

Jim Chalmers’ spending spree has pushed Australia almost to the top of an embarrassing list.

opinion
opinion
Federal Politics
opinion
Jim Chalmers’ failure to control inflation is world class

Australia’s prices breakout is worse than most other countries. Economists blame spending increases by the Labor government.

Aaron Patrick

Jessica Page is not not the only NDIS parent mystified by the elevation of Mark Butler to potential leader status the same week he put the future of thousands of disabled kids in even more limbo.

opinion
opinion
Jessica Page
opinion
NDIS slashing is not leadership material

Jessica Page is not the only NDIS parent mystified by the elevation of Mark Butler to potential leader status in the same week that he put the future of thousands of disabled kids in even more limbo.

Jessica Page

Jessica Page

Last week, Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson (left) tragically lost his brother Jaryd (centre), which renewed calls for the AFL to introduce a men’s mental health round.

opinion
opinion
Samantha Rogers
opinion
Why the AFL needs to introduce a men’s mental health round

Players are calling for the the AFL to acknowledge a cause that directly affects them and their peers, particularly under the glaring spotlight of the national stage. But it needs to go beyond just a name.

Samantha Rogers

The ‘reset’ of the National Disability Insurance Scheme is the latest example of Labor coming back to fix the things that were stupidly rushed in the final days of the Gillard government.

opinion
opinion
Federal Politics
opinion
NDIS ‘reset’ is part of Labor’s unfinished business

The ‘reset’ of the National Disability Insurance Scheme is the latest example of Labor coming back to fix the things that were stupidly rushed in the final days of the Gillard government.

Katina Curtis

Editorials

The entry to Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs.

opinion
opinion
Editorial
opinion
It’s time for an honest discussion about town camps

Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said it was not the time for a discussion about town camps. But if not now, when?

Throwing Government money around in what Chalmers will no doubt badge as cost-of-living relief in the May 12 Budget will be pulling in the opposite direction to the RBA’s use of its interest rate lever.

opinion
opinion
Editorial
opinion
RBA should hold its nerve over interest rates

Throwing Government money around in what Chalmers will no doubt badge as cost-of-living relief in the May 12 Budget will be pulling in the opposite direction to the RBA’s use of its interest rate lever.

Federal agents draw their guns out after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner .

opinion
opinion
Editorial
opinion
White House shooting a chilling reminder of how lucky we are

The Washington incident is another reminder of how fortunate we are here in Australia. 

The 2026 ANZAC march down St Georges Tce in Perth. Pictured is Warren Crathern-Pearson Justin Benson-Cooper

opinion
opinion
Editorial
opinion
Let’s thank those in uniform

It remains important that we pause to give thanks for those in uniform who are there for us.

Katina Curtis

Angus Taylor and Anthony Albanese Illustration

opinion
opinion
Katina Curtis
opinion
Gloomy voters are cheesed off with mainstream politics

A world full of doom and gloom is providing a backdrop for people to turn away from mainstream politics and leaders to search for answers elsewhere.

Katina Curtis

Katina Curtis

Chris Bowen fuel.

opinion
opinion
Federal Politics
opinion
People primed for petrol price pain as politicians prattle

We’re all rapidly becoming experts in energy markets as the expanding war in the Middle East pushes up petrol prices everywhere.

Katina Curtis

A broadcaster in Iranian state TV last week branded its women's team team traitors for not signing the national anthem ahead of their first game of the Asian Cup.

opinion
opinion
Federal Politics
opinion
Why the government is keeping quiet on Iranian footballers

Sport and politics are colliding as Australians grow increasingly anxious about the plight of the Iranian women’s football team, the Lionesses.

Katina Curtis

Jim Chalmers during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House, Canberra.

analysis
analysis
Katina Curtis
analysis
Chalmers’ latest buzzword points to shifting sands again

Jim Chalmers’ budget buzzword points to plans to ease the burden on younger Australians. The Liberals - whoever their leader is by May - should take note.

Katina Curtis

Emma Garlett

Emma Garlett is a legal academic and Nylyaparli-Yamatji-Nyungar woman.

opinion
opinion
Emma Garlett
opinion
Leaders must be held accountable to create real change

If organisations are serious about the elimination of racial discrimination, they must move beyond performative gestures and implement measurable anti-racism frameworks.

Emma Garlett

Emma Garlett

Emma Garlett is a legal academic and Nylyaparli-Yamatji-Nyungar woman.

opinion
opinion
Emma Garlett
opinion
WA has opportunity to lead nation with Human Rights Act

For too long, the laws of our State have been a source of pain rather than protection for First Nations people, multicultural people and families who do it tough in Western Australia. 

Emma Garlett

Emma Garlett

Emma Garlett is a legal academic and Nylyaparli-Yamatji-Nyungar woman.

opinion
opinion
Emma Garlett
opinion
Truth-telling is about healing for all to move on in respect

Racism in Australia is not accidental. It is structural. It has been woven into the legal and social fabric of the nation from the moment terra nullius was declared. 

Emma Garlett

Emma Garlett

As we head toward a population of 32 million, our success will depend on our ability to ensure that as our norms change, our sense of community remains, says Emma Garlett.

opinion
opinion
Emma Garlett
opinion
To love Australia is to participate in its progress

As we head toward a population of 32 million, our success will depend on our ability to ensure that as our norms change, our sense of community remains, says Emma Garlett.

Emma Garlett

Emma Garlett

Ben Harvey

The grave of WWI serviceman John Lahiff at Karrakatta Cemetary visited by his great great nephew Martin Byrne.

opinion
opinion
ANZAC
opinion
Passing the buck just a grave mistake

The Federal and Sate neglect of our war heroes continues.

Ben Harvey

Not just that they’re on sale a day after Christmas, I’m talking about the flavours. Vegemite I could tolerate but cheesy jalapeno hot cross buns? Good Lord, writes Ben Harvey.

opinion
opinion
Ben Harvey
opinion
Great gripefest: More things that make me hot and cross

At the start of the year, I set myself a challenge to list 100 everyday things that annoy the hell out of me and which I hope will disappear in 2026. Here’s this week’s list of things that grind my gears.

BEN HARVEY

Ben Harvey explains why everyone in the Pilbara is a little bit full of s..t - while the biggest disruptor to mining productivity is one group of tradies wielding a disproportionate amount of power.

WATCH The person emerging as the most worrisome unionist in 2026

Ben Harvey explains why everyone in the Pilbara is a little bit full of s..t - while the biggest disruptor to mining productivity is one group of tradies wielding a disproportionate amount of power.

Ben Harvey | Tue, March 24

In tonight’s show, with the unprecedented bull run on gold taking a sharp turn, Ben Harvey explains why the ‘safe haven’ investment is shaping up to have its worst week in forty years

WATCHBlack GOLD is the new stock market darling

With the unprecedented bull run on gold taking a sharp turn, Ben Harvey explains why the ‘safe haven’ investment is shaping up to have its worst week in forty years.

Ben Harvey | Mon, March 23

Justin Langer

Girls are not told they are unwanted. They are told they are not enough. Not thin enough, not pretty enough, not successful enough, not agreeable enough, writes Justin Langer.

opinion
opinion
JUSTIN LANGER
opinion
Women face a daily reality most men never think about

Women should not need to be someone’s daughter or sister or mother to deserve respect. They deserve it because they are human beings. Full stop. 

Justin Langer

Louis Theroux in Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere.

opinion
opinion
Justin Langer
opinion
Lost generation of young men led astray by toxic content

In a world where domestic violence is escalating, the question of what kind of men we are raising is not just important, but urgent.

Justin Langer

Greek philosophers and cricket captains are proof you can always learn more

opinion
opinion
Justin Langer
opinion
What you can learn from Allan Border and Socrates

I’ve spent 35 years in professional cricket, you’d think by now I’d have seen it all. But this week, back in the coaching seat in India, I learned four things I had never come across before.

Justin Langer

Champion boxer Mike Tyson’s quip that ‘everyone’s got a plan until you get punched in the face’ is something worth thinking about.

opinion
opinion
Justin Langer
opinion
What you can learn from the Mike Tyson philosophy

Champion boxer Mike Tyson’s quip that ‘everyone’s got a plan until you get punched in the face’ is something worth thinking about.

Justin Langer

Kim MacDonald

Shelter CEO Kath Snell at site of new development in Court Place Subiaco.

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Back to the future in Subi as social housing nothing to fear

Plans for WA’s biggest social and affordable housing development in Subi East are nothing to fear. Some say it will be the next Browlie Towers, but in reality, it is like going back to the future.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Gavin Hegney and Damian Collins Illustration.

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
When will Perth’s property boom finally be over?

Week after week, I find myself asking, how long will this property madness last? Two experts provide their view on the matter.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

You can’t eat bricks, so how do you actually get ahead in a property boom?

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
How do you get ahead in a property boom?

You can’t eat bricks, so how do you actually get ahead in a property boom?

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Three years of age. A tutor. Maths. Those words don’t seem to belong together. But it’s happening amid a growing divide between rich and poor.

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
Tutors hired for 3yos amid growing split between rich, poor

Three years of age. A tutor. Maths. Those words don’t seem to belong together. But it’s happening amid a growing divide between rich and poor.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Paul Murray

Labor loves cutting ribbons and slashing public transport fares but hates talking about the cost

opinion
opinion
State Politics
opinion
Taxpayers are being taken for a ride by Labor

When government ministers blow their own trumpet, they need to make sure they are using their mouths and not just any old orifice that expels gas.

Paul Murray

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen.

opinion
opinion
Mining
opinion
Fossil fool: Chris Bowen blind to nation’s critical reliance

Does Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen not read his own department’s reports that detail Australia’s critical reliance on fossil fuels?

Paul Murray

Mark McGowan.

opinion
opinion
Paul Murray
opinion
Mark McGowan, WA’s fuel crisis is all your fault

If BP and our politicians could turn back time, would WA still have an oil refinery at Kwinana?

Paul Murray

Paul Murray

Senator Pauline Hanson addresses the Minerals Council of Australia conference in Canberra regarding support for investment in the Australian minerals industry and related issues.

opinion
opinion
Paul Murray
opinion
The orange crush threatening to suffocate the Libs

Angry and disaffected voters attracted to Hanson are unwittingly gifting power to Labor. This is how conservatives can fight back.

Paul Murray

Laura Newell

Laura Newell says doing the school run on Perth public transport is unappealing.

opinion
opinion
Laura Newell
opinion
The grim reality of the school run on public transport

Being a concerned citizen, of course I want to do my bit, so I did my due diligence on what abandoning my car would actually look like. 

Laura Newell

Laura Newell

‘There’s nothing quite like the heart-stopping thud of an envelope hitting the front doormat,’ says Laura Newell.

opinion
opinion
Laura Newell
opinion
A lament for letters as nothing can replace thrill of post

Not one person I spoke to about it this week expressed surprise at the news, instead many simply queried ‘surely cash can’t be far behind?’

Laura Newell

Laura Newell

Town of Port Hedland’s controversial mayor, Peter Carter, quit last week citing dysfunction and toxicity as his reasonings.

opinion
opinion
Laura Newell
opinion
Hedland debacle is what happens when we don’t pay attention

The question is, how do we fix our councils? 

Laura Newell

Laura Newell

Read Alice’s story before getting behind the wheel today, writes Laura Newell.

opinion
opinion
Laura Newell
opinion
Read Alice’s story before getting behind the wheel today

Alice’s story is tragic, but her parents’ wish is that some good may come from telling it. So, it seems appropriate that I share it on Fatality Free Friday.

Laura Newell

Laura Newell

Ben O'Shea

Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Wuthering Heights.

review
review
Review
review
Margot Robbie in Wuthering Heights is disappointingly lame

Maybe there’s a way to turn Bronte’s Wuthering Heights into a glossy, bodice-ripper and still maintain the gothic cruelty of the book, but, for all her talents, Margot Robbie is simply not the actor to do it.

Ben O'Shea

Alex Honnold climbed Taipei 101 without any protective equipment.

opinion
opinion
Ben O’Shea
opinion
Climber Honnold’s harrowing feat a convenient distraction

Watching Donald Trump’s America is a lot like watching Alex Honnold’s record-breaking free solo climb of the Taipei 101 skyscraper, streamed live on Netflix over the weekend. 

Ben O'Shea

Ben O'Shea

What we have in the South West is not overtourism. It’s a mildly inconvenient seasonal influx, writes Ben O’Shea.

opinion
opinion
Ben O’Shea
opinion
Benefits of tourism outweigh inconvenience in the South West

Comparing the Busso Jetty to the Trevi Fountain is a ‘bit of a stretch’ when dealing with the South West’s influx of tourists.

Ben O’Shea

In 2026, Australian politics feels one press conference away from descending into a full-blown culture war, while American politics feels like a post-apocalyptic Hollywood movie, only with less convincing performances.

opinion
opinion
Ben O’Shea
opinion
2026 could be gloomy amid chaotic politics, climate change

Two weeks into the year and it’s fair to say 2026 might not be a huge improvement on last year, which was, in technical terms, a dumpster fire.

Ben O’Shea

Jessica Page

Iran’s footballers became the subject of a literal tug of war. Tony Burke’s presence made it political.

opinion
opinion
JESSICA PAGE
opinion
Petrol pain is real, but it’s not the frontline

Iran’s footballers became the subject of a literal tug of war. Tony Burke’s presence made it political.

Jessica Page

Jessica Page

The winter strategy’s numbers don’t add up and that’s a problem for a Government that is belatedly playing catch-up on hospitals.

opinion
opinion
JESSICA PAGE
opinion
Just admit it! There is no quick fix when it comes to health

The winter strategy’s numbers don’t add up and that’s a problem for a Government that is belatedly playing catch-up on hospitals.

Jessica Page

Jessica Page

It’s the chicken-egg debate that’s going around in circles and appears set to dominate Federal Parliament in 2026, precisely because Labor has avoided the fraught conversation on migration and has failed to deliver on housing supply, writes Jessica Page.

opinion
opinion
Jessica Page
opinion
Chicken and egg debate on housing and migration is necessary

Building housing supply takes time. So in the meantime, the Federal Government must address demand. 

Jessica Page

The Clunes failed as parents, we all failed as neighbours and the systems; schools, NDIS and government failed to stop the Mosman Park tragedy., writes Jessica Page.

opinion
opinion
Jessica Page
opinion
Deaths of Mosman Park boys reflect badly on entire community

The Clunes failed as parents, we all failed as neighbours and the systems; schools, NDIS and government failed to stop the Mosman Park tragedy.

Jessica Page

Jessica Page

Mark Riley

The NDIS is costing too much, growing too fast and heading towards failure. That can’t be allowed to happen.

opinion
opinion
Federal Politics
opinion
Mark Butler now has the delicate task of saving the NDIS

The NDIS is costing too much, growing too fast and heading towards failure.That can’t be allowed to happen.

Mark Riley

The former Labor leader’s idea for a government-owned merchant navy may have seemed a bit batty in 2019, but it is finding an appreciative audience in 2026.

OpinionHow Shorten’s $20b-a-year plan could solve our fuel woes

The former Labor leader’s idea for a government-owned merchant navy may have seemed a bit batty in 2019, but it is finding an appreciative audience in 2026.

Mark Riley

One Nation’s remarkable rise will be followed by a fall. But Pauline Hanson’s forces will wreak havoc on the political landscape in the meantime.

opinion
opinion
Federal Politics
opinion
The seismic impact One Nation has had on Aussie politics

One Nation’s remarkable rise will be followed by a fall. But Pauline Hanson’s forces will wreak havoc on the political landscape in the meantime.

Mark Riley

Consumers will pay the price of the Iran war.

opinion
opinion
Federal Politics
opinion
Huge cost every Aussie will pay for Trump’s Iran ‘excursion’

Donald Trump started the war in Iran, but Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers will wear the blame for the pounding it is unleashing on the Australian economy.

Mark Riley

Belle Taylor

Brazilian Youtuber Gabi Matos lifts a Reborn baby doll as she is seated next to her collection in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

DollsThe world has gone doll mad

From Reborns creating moral panic in Brazil, Labubus causing consumer crushes in China and Annabelle freaking everyone out in the US, it seems like the whole world has gone doll mad.

Belle Taylor

Belle Taylor

Airlines need to lift their game.

opinion
opinion
Belle Taylor
opinion
Passengers are bad — but airlines are worse

Airlines want to fine passengers for standing before it’s their turn to disembark. But perhaps they should get their own house in order before dishing out more punishments to paying customers.

Belle Taylor

Belle Taylor

Morning shed.

opinion
opinion
Belle Taylor
opinion
Why influencers are taping their mouth shut

Could you get a good night’s sleep looking like a swamp monster? The latest online beauty trend sees people covering themselves in hundreds of dollars worth of beauty products before jumping into bed.

Belle Taylor

Belle Taylor

Picking a baby name can be tough.

Baby namesMaybe some parents shouldn’t get naming rights

Naming a baby is a big responsibility. But some parents really need to be told no.

Belle Taylor

Belle Taylor

Anxiety Aunt

Dirty dishes.

Anxiety Aunt How to deal with house guests from hell

These house guests of yours sound like they would make good fodder for a Hollywood film starring Ben Stiller or Adam Sandler about house-sitters from hell.

Jay Hanna

Jay Hanna

Every cloud has a silver lining

Anxiety Aunt Look for silver lining to survive run of bad luck

‘Every cloud has a silver lining and One would urge you to go out in search of yours. Don’t focus on the dark cloud, or else that is all you will see. Focus on the positives.’

Jay Hanna

Jay Hanna

Start small and don’t jump into spontaneous or reckless situations.

Anxiety Aunt Learn to be a participant rather than an observer

Don’t immediately sign yourself up for an open-mic night and spend the next six weeks stressing about it.

Jay Hanna

Jay Hanna

How to survive the daily commute

Anxiety Aunt Surviving the daily commute

‘How can I improve my journey without feeling the need to reprimand?’

Jay Hanna

Jay Hanna