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Exclusive
Victorian budget
Dozens of school upgrades could miss out in budget ‘bloodbath’
Labor committed $850 million to upgrade at least 89 schools in 2022, but more than half failed to secure funding to put shovels in the ground in last year’s state budget.
Opinion
National security
After a week of mass-murder and terror, we must look in the mirror
Albanese expected the week would be dominated by the unveiling of the government’s new defence strategy. Instead, Australia’s internal security was on the agenda.
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Chalmers lists the five threats to the federal budget
The first threat, the treasurer will say, is rising global tensions, as he looks to repair the nation’s finances and reform the economy.
Merrick Watts’ simple rule during Eltham pub fights: ‘Grab the till and run’
Once Eltham was an “amazing dichotomy between ruthless bogan and the arts”. Nowadays the leafy suburb is fighting not to look like everywhere else.
Who were the Wakeley rioters and why did it descend into violence?
Distrust of police and authority, as well as old grievances and social marginalisation, may have contributed to disturbing scenes on Monday night.
Chalmers lists the five threats to the federal budget
The first threat, the treasurer will say, is rising global tensions, as he looks to repair the nation’s finances and reform the economy.
‘If in doubt, rule them out:’ The new rule changing local footy
Rourke Fischer couldn’t recall what he had for breakfast. His long history of concussions ended his time in the game he loved earlier than he would have liked, but he now acknowledges it came later than it should have.
Opinion
AFL 2024
The art of the sporting apology, and how it became a business
Somewhere in the sports world, someone is always apologising, and saying sorry has become a business with its own skill set.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
Crows won’t bite on costly non-call against Bombers
Friday night’s no-call was the third time in less than 10 months that Adelaide have been denied potential victories by last-minute umpiring decisions.
The artificial heart set to transform medicine – and the Aussie who invented it
Biomedical engineer Daniel Timms lost his father to heart disease, but their kitchen-top tests helped him hone a radical idea.
Goodbye music festivals, hello food festivals: Where to plan your next regional road trip
From community-led harvests, to cheese and bread workshops with Australia’s best, regional food festivals have a lot to offer – and they’re booming. Here’s our pick of five to visit this autumn.
Analysis
Media & marketing
ABC local radio just hit rock bottom. What’s next?
The national broadcaster peaked during bushfires and COVID-19 and it has been downhill for a long time.
A tale of two stabbings, and Why only one was declared an act of terrorism
An uneasy calm has now settled on Sydney after a horror week, but questions remain about why one attacker was labelled a terrorist, and the other wasn’t.
Opinion
Crime
Rape myths are dangerous. It will take more than the Lehrmann verdict to bust them
The response to Justice Lee’s Lehrmann verdict has been awful, vitriolic and often ignorant public debate.
Julia Baird
Journalist, broadcaster, historian and author
Musk’s X ignores legal threats over ‘distressing’ stabbing posts
Political pressure on tech giants has grown throughout the week and leaders are fuming as misinformation and violent content continues to spread like “wildfire”.
The best heckles, riskiest jokes and most tender moments from this year’s comedy festival
After a huge month packed with shows, our team of reviewers has come together to pick out the best (and strangest) moments from this year’s comedy festival.
These brides broke one of the last wedding dress taboos. And so did I
Being part of the ‘anti-bride’ movement can have its drawbacks, as I learnt.
Traveller Letters: Beware this trap – don’t trust your boarding pass
“The printed boarding pass of our connecting flight showed both the wrong gate and flight number.”
WEEKEND READS
‘Just shush and listen’: Why opening night isn’t the best time to see a stage show
Stage star Anthony Warlow has thousands of performances under his belt – and he still hates opening nights.
Four gay friends and I shared the same secret. And it brings me nothing but joy
Gone are the days when the identity of donors was a tightly guarded secret – and this biological dad couldn’t be happier.
Victoria
Cause of Clunes wellness centre death remains a mystery despite autopsy
Police are investigating if so-called “magic mushrooms” were behind the death of Rachael Dixon.
Exclusive
City life
Member group claims Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club spent $800,000 on wagyu beef
The money was allegedly spent on the expensive variety of meat in the same financial year in which the club reported a $2.4 million loss from its hospitality operations.
Exclusive
Food safety
Imported mushrooms may contain deadly bacteria, but they are hardly being screened
Mushrooms imported to Australia have been linked to serious and fatal outbreaks of listeria and salmonella, but are going largely unchecked by federal authorities.
Call to embed police in shopping centres to tackle knife crime
Victoria’s most senior federal frontbencher says police officers should be embedded in Melbourne’s big shopping centres.
22-year-old admits to killing his grandmother with mattock
A man who bludgeoned his own grandmother to death in the family’s garage has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a Ballarat court.
AFL
The Scoop
What a LIV golfer taught the besieged Bulldogs about goalkicking
He’s billed as the best putter from inside 12 feet. This week the Western Bulldogs called him in for goalkicking advice.
AFL round six teams and tips: Bulldogs star to miss for personal reason
Our experts have entered their tips for the eight games of round six. See which way they’re predicting each match will turn out as the season kicks into gear.
Politics
Exclusive
ALP
Labor ‘uses ethnically diverse to stack branches, not run as MPs’
“There have been systemic barriers put on multicultural communities,” says Senate hopeful Wesa Chau. “And when we talk about discrimination, this is what it looks like.”
Business
Updated
Gas
‘Upfront, credible and honest’: Woodside boss spruiks climate plan ahead of crucial AGM
Meg O’Neill says the energy major is working to reduce its emissions but warns it’s not going to be easy or cheap.
World
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Middle East tensions rise after Israeli drone attack
The Albanese government has urged Israel and Iran to prevent a “spiral of violence” as Australians are warned against travelling to Israel.
Opinion
Israel and Iran are following the rules of the jungle, not the rule of law
Ben Saul
Challis Chair of International Law at Sydney University
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Property
Where property prices will be once interest rates fall
Once interest rates fall, property prices would likely go up, but buyers could borrow more money, and new analysis shows whether it would be enough.
Exclusive
Property market
Australia set to build 1.2 million new homes so poor they’re ‘closer to a tent’
A seven-star energy-efficient home built today might look like a high-quality home, but turn out to be as comfortable as a tent, a new report warns.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Can you really hypnotise yourself? And if so, should you?
Self-hypnosis apps are becoming increasingly popular for managing stress and anxiety. But are they actually safe to use?
Culture
Taylor Swift’s new album is here, and it’s proof she needs to take a break
The megastar exorcises her past relationships with Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy on an album likely to divide fans.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Opinion
AFL 2024
The art of the sporting apology, and how it became a business
Somewhere in the sports world, someone is always apologising, and saying sorry has become a business with its own skill set.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
AFL
AFL 2024
Want to see the running of the bulls? It’s at the footy, not in Spain
Two of the AFL’s best midfielders go head-to-head on Saturday in a clash between a Brownlow medallist and the man favoured to win it this year.
‘If in doubt, rule them out:’ The new rule changing local footy
Rourke Fischer couldn’t recall what he had for breakfast. His long history of concussions ended his time in the game he loved earlier than he would have liked, but he now acknowledges it came later than it should have.
AFL live updates: Bombers hang on for thrilling win amid high tension
Essendon and Adelaide clash in what is a vital round six clash for both sides to stay in touch with the top eight.
Titmus in peak form for Paris 2024 after blistering win at championships
The early signs are promising for Ariarne Titmus’ bid to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the 400m freestyle after victory at the Australian Open Championships.
Scrutiny, screaming, and the best seat in the house: Chelsea Roffey’s football life
The goal umpire will run out for her 300th AFL game on Saturday, becoming the first woman and just the eighth umpire in history to reach the milestone.
Analysis
IPL
The ‘gimmick’ that has sparked a cricket culture war
A rule change has India’s stars up in arms, with plenty of potential consequences for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup.
Have Your Say
‘We have to beg for permission’: Why there isn’t more African talent in the Matildas
While African talent is tearing up the A-League Men and reaching the Socceroos, only two women from the continent’s diaspora have represented the Matildas. A new tournament aims to address this discrepancy.
