Opinion
Opinion
ABC
Axing The Drum reveals larger, underlying problems at the ABC
Regrettably, the recent history of ending established shows in a bid to woo new, younger viewers has left gaping holes at the national broadcaster.
- by Debi Enker
Latest
Opinion
Cost of living
The PM wants ideas to ease the cost of living squeeze. Here’s one ...
Halving import taxes might help the government achieve its aim of easing pressure from the cost of living without also pushing up inflation.
- by Chris Richardson
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Northern Ireland found a path to peace. Are there lessons for Israel/Hamas?
The conflict in Northern Ireland was once seen as insoluble. Yet now there is peace. Are there lessons for the combatants in the Middle East?
- by Ray Bassett
Opinion
Cars
The costly car choice we need to rethink
From backyards to beer consumption, Australians love going big – but it’s time to foot the bill when it comes to big cars.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Global economy
The latest indignity for China’s flawed recovery
Neighbours whose economic fortunes were supposed to be tied to the heft of China’s rebound seem to be doing pretty well without it.
- by Daniel Moss
Opinion
Psychology
Is a person speaking ‘their truth’ different from the truth? It’s complicated
The latest therapy-speak term to be endorsed by celebrities, speaking “your truth” may be true for you, but chances are it’s not for other people.
- by Bianca Denny
Hats off to Warner, a champion despite his marred record
Hats off to David Warner, a champion who ended up as nearly the highest run scorer for Australia.
Editorial
Breast cancer
Information can empower women about their health – and cancer prevention
It was estimated that 57 people a day were diagnosed with breast cancer on average in Australia last year.
Opinion
Dictators
Losing sleep over Trump? It’s time to wake up to the real tyrants
Donald Trump is dangerous because he takes too much of our attention. So much so, people become blind to much larger threats.
- by Parnell Palme McGuinness
Opinion
Fitness
Don’t be a dumb-bell: Gym nasties must learn to exercise restraint
Trying to get fit at the gym is honourable. The task is not made any easier by sneering exercise junkies.
- by Gary Nunn
Opinion
Planning
Sydney kids, no matter where they live, must have trees to climb
As Sydney moves to higher density living, the harbour city needs to double its tree cover. This is why.
- by Daisy Turnbull
Analysis
Australian cricket
Innings of his life: David Warner’s last knock a miniature of his Test career
David Warner’s final Test innings captured in miniature so much of what made him special.
- by Daniel Brettig
Opinion
Australian cricket
He made mistakes, but Warner’s enforced club cricket return told us everything about the man
Mike Whitney has been president of Randwick Petersham for 23 years. His greatest pride – and there are plenty – lies in what he saw from David Warner during his grassroots return.
- by Geoff Lawson
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Gaza ceasefire building blocks slowly being assembled
Plan avoids the two most contentious points of any serious proposal for peace – the Palestinian Authority and a Palestinian state - but doesn’t rule them out.
- by Paul Nuki
Opinion
Australian cricket
Forget the haters, it’s still Cricket Australia who owe Warner an apology
Few athletes upend and distort how a sport is played. Tiger Woods more than traversed that threshold. In time, we’ll realise David Warner also passed that test.
- by Darren Kane
Analysis
Cybersecurity
Low cost, high reward: The hackers holding Australia to ransom
Cyber attacks on companies are common enough, but will only become more so – and AI will drive an increase in their quantity and quality.
- by David Swan and Colin Kruger
Opinion
Trump's America
Trump insurrection didn’t end on January 6. That’s just when it began
Three years ago, American democracy was attacked by a mob loyal to Donald Trump. The aftermath has only emboldened the Republican frontrunner who may yet win back the White House.
- by Bruce Wolpe
Opinion
Australian cricket
The giant on the outer who’s a great option to eventually replace Cummins
Tall Test batters aren’t common, but a big Western Australian looms as a great option to lead his nation.
- by Greg Chappell
Opinion
Political leadership
January’s heat can catch you out – and careless leaders often get burnt
While December is seen as Canberra’s killing season, it is often in January when the real political carnage can occur.
- by Nick Bryant
Analysis
Gadgets
Screen-free future: Three advances that put the phone in the background
Could the phone be replaced by technology that keeps the benefits of connectivity, but loses the addictive qualities of screens?
- by Tim Biggs
Small population can ease renovation fears
There is no shortage. The real problem is excessive demand, and maybe we could just settle for less.
Opinion
My First Job
‘Glamour in a packet’: How I learned stockings were the tip of a nylon iceberg
Gossamer fine, in colours like ‘alabaster’ and ‘chateau’ – pantyhose meant different things to different women, and it was my job to help them find the perfect pair.
- by Felicity Lewis
Opinion
Diet
I turned to the internet for dessert recipes. It was my saddest Google search ever
Now that there are many things I can’t eat, food is all I think about.
- by Kerri Sackville
Opinion
Law
New laws bring in the new year, but do they punish or enlarge us?
Many Australians will not have noticed while on holiday, but reams of legislation came into effect on January 1.
- by Malcolm Knox
Analysis
Comedy
A decade ago, Ricky Gervais told me something that might explain his incendiary new show
His comments give an insight into his “take no prisoners” comedic approach in Armageddon. And for Netflix, it’s good for business.
- by Michael Idato
Opinion
Summer reads
My beach town is overrun by people from Melbourne. I absolutely love it
City dwellers are the scourge of summer for beachside locals. They pinch all the good parking spots and clean out the shops of sourdough baguettes. I welcome them.
- by Kate Halfpenny
Analysis
Epstein fallout
Epstein files could not have come at a worse time for Prince Andrew
The reminder of Prince Andrew’s dealings with the late convicted sex trafficker is the kind of Christmas present the royal could live without.
- by Victoria Ward
Opinion
Electric vehicles
Business won’t switch to EVs while tax lurks for guzzlers are so generous
Take it from an accountant: taxpayers give too much help to ute and 4WD buyers to tempt small businesses to convert to electric vehicles.
- by Denise Mills
Opinion
Australian cricket
Why money – not the weather – is the biggest threat to Sydney losing New Year’s Test
Cricket Australia wants more NSW government funding for the SCG to keep hosting the landmark Test, but will Chris Minns cough up?
- by Andrew Webster
Opinion
AUKUS
If Trump returns to the White House, should we rethink the US alliance?
Shared democratic values underpin the US-Australia alliance, but Donald Trump has told us how he will wield power if he wins again – and it’s not democracy.
- by Dr Emma Shortis
Opinion
Interest rates
The Reserve Bank doesn’t set your interest rates, but here’s why we watch
To understand how the Reserve Bank’s decisions flow through to your mortgage, we’ll need to dive into the secret life of banks.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Oil
Oil’s global glut threatens to drag prices lower in ‘tricky year’ ahead
Traders wonder if OPEC+ will deliver enough of the cutbacks to rein in the looming surplus.
- by Yongchang Chin and Devika Krishna Kumar
Analysis
Australian cricket
Three cheers for Pakistan’s unexpected fighters
Pakistan have offered this series plenty of fight and character; in particular, they have done far better here than England.
- by Daniel Brettig
Rude politicians should be punished at the ballot box
What great role models our politicians are for young people. Being loud, aggressive and disrespectful seems to be the only way they think to make a point.
Editorial
Workplace safety
MPs behaving badly is the ugly public face of democracy
Voters have grown tired of the endless futile negativity that passes for political debate.
- The Herald's View
Opinion
Foreign relations
A spotlight on our leaders is welcome before they choose to take us to war
The Albanese government has rightly demanded answers about why cabinet papers on Iraq War deliberations went missing. But will this bring transparency to any future decision to take Australia to war?
- by David Livingstone
Opinion
Air accident
How did so many survive the Japanese plane crash? It was no miracle
To call the swift evacuation of this burning plane miraculous diminishes the significance of a very human achievement.
- by Milad Haghani and Rico Merkert
Opinion
Monetary policy
How central banks saved the world. And will again
Reviled not long ago for letting prices surge, US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and his peers have been anointed by traders as saviours of the world.
- by Daniel Moss
Opinion
Political leadership
The most popular politicians in Australia are all outspoken women. Come again?
Last year was one of the most divisive in memory. But three senators from very different walks of life managed to cut through and speak to voters.
- by Michelle Griffin
Analysis
Australian cricket
Storm clouds over Sydney and so too the health of Test cricket
Sydney’s Test match started with blue skies but play ended under storm clouds. The same trend is true for Test cricket.
- by Daniel Brettig
Hands off our trees
In the northern suburbs, residents need to be vigilant and stop illegal tree removals, as councils cannot police illegal tree removal on their own.
Editorial
HSC
HSC coaching colleges growth skews access to tertiary courses
The exponential growth of HSC coaching colleges threatens to undermine the level playing field that the Year 12 examination theoretically offers all students of an equal shot at tertiary education.
- The Herald's View
Opinion
Pets
Feeling the heat from climate change? Spare a thought for our pets
Animals are the silent victims of our escalating extreme weather events driven by human-induced climate change.
- by Gundi Rhoades
Opinion
Refugees
Locked up for seven years and beaten: Khan Ali is a face of asylum policy shame
In the mental health hospital where 30-year-old Khan Ali Safdary now resides, the Afghan refugee says: “Persecutions I endured in Australia are unparalleled.”
- by Saba Vasefi
Opinion
Australian Open
Tennis Australia must stare down the Saudi threat to summer Down Under
It’s easy to be confused about the huge changes to our summer. Then there’s the speculation of further upheaval caused by the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund which has turned golf on its head, and which will undoubtedly affect tennis.
- by Paul McNamee
Opinion
Australian cricket
Warner’s hundreds made headlines, but Australia will miss intangibles more
David Warner’s all-round contribution to the Australian team will be nearly impossible to replace. But there are two candidates who hold a big advantage – and here’s why.
- by Mark Taylor
Opinion
Competition
Loyalty or laziness? Whatever you call it, the banks are cashing in
Australians are being done over by electricity providers and banks that bet we won’t call it a day. And it’s costing us billions of dollars a year.
- by Shane Wright