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So harsh on China, yet so soft on the US
Readers discuss The Age’s article - by military leader and strategist Mick Ryan - about China.
Exclusive
Morrison portfolio saga
‘Extreme overreach’: Frydenberg felt betrayed by Morrison’s secret appointment
Scott Morrison began in politics with few friends and ended with even fewer. In an extract from Niki Savva’s new book, Bulldozed, those who were once closet to the former prime minister speak about feeling used and deceived.
- by Niki Savva
‘Out there to shut her down’: Lions wary of the Tayla Harris threat
Tayla Harris shapes as the key for Melbourne in their dream of securing an inaugural AFLW premiership, but the star ruck-forward doesn’t feel burdened by her lack of premiership success.
- by Marnie Vinall
Breaking
Hayne fallout
Million-dollar fines dumped after bankers raised ‘legitimate concerns’
Laws introducing fines for dodgy finance executives have been shelved after several bank bosses expressed their surprise and disappointment.
- by Rachel Clun
Ratten reunites with Clarkson at North as assistant coach
Alastair Clarkson has jumped at the chance to have Brett Ratten back on his coaching panel at North Melbourne.
- by Peter Ryan
Former Cricket Australia staffer charged with sexually touching two men
CA’s former head of communications Tim Whittaker appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court charged with sexually touching two men without their consent in 2016 and 2019.
- by Andrew Wu
Why the Liberals are desperate to win back Chinese-Australians
At the federal election in May, Chinese-Australian voters turned against the Coalition. The state opposition has been pulling out all the stops to get them back.
- by Emma Ding and Annika Smethurst
Mood for change: Reserve Bank review panel speaks publicly for first time
The panel overseeing the RBA’s first independent review in 40 years may hand the government two sets of recommendations to overhaul the central bank.
- by Shane Wright
Ponting looms as peace broker around Perth Test
Ricky Ponting’s first Test in Perth since Justin Langer’s exit as Australia’s coach looms as a vital part of the healing process amid tensions between past and present players.
- by Daniel Brettig
Updated
World elections
Malaysian king names Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister, ending deadlock
The twice-jailed candidate has been waiting in the wings for years and will now get a chance to lead.
‘Nup to the Cup’ campaign ‘misguided’, says RV chief
Racing Victoria believes it is winning the war against the ‘Nup to the Cup’ movement, and that back-to-back Melbourne Cups without a fatality will help strengthen racing’s social licence.
- by Damien Ractliffe
Had me at hello: Klemmer links back up with Sheens at Tigers
Eight years after Tim Sheens handed him his Test debut, David Klemmer has reunited with the veteran coach at Wests Tigers.
- by Adrian Proszenko
‘Tsunami’ of bookings: Emirates sees global travel surge once China reopens
The world’s largest long-haul airline is predicting a boom in global travel on a scale beyond anything seen for many years once China fully reopens to overseas flights.
- by Monica Raymunt
Updated
World markets
The wrap: ASX closes in the green despite afternoon drop-off
The ASX set a new 100-day high on Thursday as gold and copper shares surged and coal plummeted.
- by Billie Eder
Updated
Courts
Andrew O’Keefe granted bail after allegedly testing positive to ice and cocaine
The 51-year-old was tested by police at his Vaucluse home about 1am on Thursday as part of a raft of strict Supreme Court bail conditions.
- by Sally Rawsthorne
Police won’t say why they asked this anti-Beijing activist to leave Parliament House
Activist Drew Pavlou, an outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party, was told to leave a public area of Parliament House by police.
- by Lisa Visentin
As it happened: VEC figures reveal one in three votes already cast as campaign enters final days
More than 1.56 million Victorians have already voted, Labor is targeting women in the final days of the campaign and Matthew Guy is in northeast Victoria today where a sitting Liberal is under threat from an independent challenger.
- by Broede Carmody
Magistrate blocks police attempt to rewrite ‘barely plain English’ charge against BLM activists
Poorly worded charges could see the prosecution against two women who organised a Black Lives Matter rally during lockdown thrown out after a magistrate refused a police request to amend charges against the protesters.
- by Erin Pearson
Parts of Mildura told to evacuate as swollen Murray River rises
Rising floodwater has triggered an emergency alert for parts of the border town, with people being told to evacuate immediately and warned some homes will be inundated.
- by Paul Pennay
‘Erratic’ and illiterate: L-plater who killed grandmother had IQ of young child
An inquest into the death of a Melbourne grandmother who was hit by a car found no issues with Victoria’s licensing system despite questions about how the illiterate driver was issued a learner’s licence.
- by Caroline Schelle
Updated
Political lobbying
Bill Shorten orders review into deals linked to Stuart Robert
Shorten warned against “corruption” after telling parliament he had asked for contracts awarded to companies linked to consulting firm Synergy 360 to be checked.
- by David Crowe and Nick McKenzie
New heritage laws to stop another Juukan Gorge tragedy
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has promised major reform to federal laws to boost protections for Aboriginal cultural heritage.
- by Mike Foley
Eight million views and rising: Humphries’ coming out has ‘opened the door for so many’
The video of Isaac Humphries telling his teammates has passed eight million views since it was published last week and his club has been overwhelmed by the positive response.
- by Roy Ward
Updated
Victorian election
Libs to partially privatise the sewerage system and drain the Future Fund
Both Labor and the Coalition would raid Victoria’s rainy-day fund to scrape together a budget surplus in the next term of government.
- by Rachel Eddie and Josh Gordon
Opinion
Executive shake-up
Behind Fortescue’s executive revolving door
In the cult of Andrew Forrest not all disciples who sign on can operate under this messianic leader or within its governance structure.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Political lobbying
How do you enter the corridors of power? Maybe go via the backbench
MP Stuart Robert denies helping his connections secure government contracts, but leaked emails raise concerns about access to power.
- by David Crowe
Exclusive
Gig economy
‘Difficult decision’: Menulog cuts jobs in Australia
The move follows rival service Deliveroo winding up its local operations and rapid grocery delivery start-up Voly collapsing earlier this month.
- by Nick Bonyhady and Jessica Yun
24 November
Victorian election
Labor and teals target Liberals in marginal seats in campaign’s final days
Teal independents running in three marginal seats have released polling commissioned by Climate 200 pointing to major concern among voters in the electorates about the logging of native forests.
- by Clay Lucas
Opinion
Victorian election
Clock is ticking to get Victoria ready for Commonwealth Games
Initiatives such as double-laned roads in the Yarra Valley to help traffic flow will boost tourism and make Victoria a viable and popular destination.
- by Paul Strickland
Former policeman faces court charged with murdering missing father Christopher Jarvis
A former police officer charged with murdering a missing Warrnambool father will require specialist medical care in custody due to an array of health issues.
- by Erin Pearson
Albo’s holiday reading list: Six books to keep the PM busy at the beach
Each year the Grattan Institute recommends a short selection of must-reads for the nation’s top office holder.
- by Jason Steger
Copse and robbers: Tiny trees taken in $30k bonsai burglaries
A bonsai nursery in Glen Waverley has lost dozens of small but valuable trees in a spate of well-planned burglaries.
- by David Estcourt
‘The day is near’: Turkey’s Erdogan vows to invade Syria
Turkey has already launched a barrage of airstrikes on suspected militant targets in northern Syria and Iraq in recent days.
- by Abby Sewell and Hogir Al Abdo
‘We celebrate success’: Australian Open boss hopes fans will treat Djokovic fairly
Novak Djokovic is returning to Australia but how crowds respond to him is the great unknown as he tries to win a record-extending 10th Melbourne Park title.
- by Marc McGowan
‘Sales are very strong’: Harvey Norman optimistic on consumer spending
Trading updates from major retailers including Harvey Norman suggest spending on home goods is still robust.
- by Emma Koehn
After legal setback, Scotland to seek ‘de facto referendum’ on independence from UK
Scotland needs go-ahead from Westminster to hold another vote on independence, ending hopes of a referendum next October.
- by Rob Harris
As it happened: Labor push ahead with NACC legislation despite whistleblower concerns; Senior Coalition MP gave secret advice to lobbyists
The Albanese government is moving ahead with its landmark bill to establish a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
- by Ashleigh McMillan and Millie Muroi
‘Bad faith’: Brazilian court rejects Bolsonaro election challenge
It also fined the parties in president’s governing coalition $6.3 million for what the court described as bad faith litigation.
- by Ricardo Brito
Flight attendants vote to strike one day after Qantas’ $150m profit upgrade
One day after upgrading its profit guidance, Qantas is facing industrial action from its biggest employee group if the airline does not improve its pay offer.
- by Amelia McGuire
From drought to flood in three years, the NSW landscape is almost unrecognisable
The flooded landscape across the Central West paints a very different picture to that of three years ago when Australia was suffering a record-breaking drought.
- by Laura Chung and Ben Grubb
The two feisty islands standing in the way of Beijing
From the edge of one of them, a Chinese armada would first emerge over the horizon if China were to launch an amphibious assault on Taiwan.
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Evelyn Yang
World Cup LIVE: Belgium equal record, Japan stun Germany as Socceroos regroup for Tunisia
It’s been a mixed night for the European heavyweights with Spain recording a 7-0 win and Germany falling to Japan. Another tournament fancy, Belgium, beat Canada 1-0.
- by James Polson
Opinion
Skin cancer
Why sunscreen should be free
The cost of sunscreen is exorbitant given it is an essential item for Australians. Why not provide it free for citizens of the nation that carries world’s highest skin cancer burden?
- by Narayan Khanal
Haileybury moves to demolish houses in Hampton heritage zone
Victoria’s largest private school has applied to demolish a string of houses in a heritage zone so it can build a three-storey hall, setting up a conflict with Hampton residents.
- by Adam Carey
From the Archives, 1992: Phil Cleary is ruled ineligible for Parliament
In November 1992, the High Court of Australia ruled that Phil Cleary was ineligible to continue sitting in Parliament as an Independent. The ruling said as Cleary was on unpaid leave from the Victorian Education Department at the time he was elected, the constitution forbids people employed by the Crown from standing for election.
- by Michelle Grattan, Margo Kingston and Nicholas Johnston
Opinion
Interest rates
What is next for interest rates? It just got more complicated
The US Fed has just sent a mixed message about the outlook for interest rates and it will have implications for the RBA and central banks around the world.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Why there’s been two extra games worth of action at the World Cup
If you’ve sensed something has been amiss with the clock at this World Cup, you’re not hallucinating. FIFA has finally made sure there is more on-field play.
- by Vince Rugari
40 men down: ‘Alarming’ Wallabies injury toll to be reviewed
The Wallabies will finish their season against Wales with coach Dave Rennie needing to draw upon almost his entire spring tour squad to field a team.
- by Iain Payten and Tom Decent
Friendyjordies taking ‘indefinite hiatus’ after arson attack
In a video, the controversial Sydney-based YouTube comedian said he would be taking a break, and also thanked former prime minister Kevin Rudd for his support.
- by Sally Rawsthorne
‘Is he gay?’ Porn actor father of Colorado Springs LGBTQ club shooter reveals first thoughts
The 22-year-old has been in hospital since being beaten into submission by patrons at the club, after the shooting claimed five lives and injured 17 others.
- by Farrah Tomazin
‘A significant breach’: Pub owner fined for operating during lockdown
A publican who continued to operate his Echuca hotel during Victoria’s lockdown restrictions following warnings from police has been fined $5000 after failing to convince a court the prosecution was unlawful.
- by Erin Pearson
Survived the horrors of the blitz in Portsmouth, Plymouth
John McSweeney’s love of horse racing extended to ownership with several winners, trained by Peter Moody and the Hayes family.
- by Kelvin McSweeney
The next COVID wave is here. Here’s what you’re in for
Our political leaders appear keen to move on from the pandemic. But the virus remains with us: it has killed 798 Australians since the start of October.
- by Liam Mannix
Amazon plans to invest $1.5 billion a year in movies for cinemas
It’s the largest commitment to movie theatres by an internet company: Amazon is looking to make between 12 and 15 movies annually that will be released in cinemas, sources say.
- by Lucas Shaw
She was a little-known crypto trader. Then FTX collapsed
Caroline Ellison, the 28-year-old head of trading firm Alameda Research, has found herself at the centre of Sam Bankman-Fried’s collapsed crypto empire FTX.
- by David Yaffe-Bellany, Lora Kelley and Cade Metz
Updated
Energy
AGL to close SA gas power plant in 2026 as renewables accelerate
AGL will close South Australia’s Torrens Island B gas-fired power plant in 2026 as fossil fuels face pressure from wind and solar undercutting their viability.
- by Nick Toscano
Police investigate ‘suspicious’ death of Australian man travelling in Chile
A seasoned traveller, Benjamin Goode left Perth in June to embark on his latest adventure. Earlier this month, his body was discovered in Chile.
- by Heather McNeill
Alessandro Michele steps down as Gucci creative director
The support of Harry Styles and evocative runway shows that won young fans were not enough to keep Alessandro Michele in the top job at Gucci.
- by Colleen Barry
Updated
AUSTRAC crackdown
ING slapped with anti-money laundering undertaking after investigation
ING has vowed to fix its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems after an investigation by Australia’s financial crimes regulator Austrac.
- by Clancy Yeates
‘Welcoming him home’: Ricciardo returns to Red Bull as reserve F1 driver
As third driver, Daniel Ricciardo will help Red Bull with testing and simulator work, as well as commercial activity.
★★★★
Review
Fizz, fun and flappers: What’s not to like about Nice Work?
This celebration of America’s Jazz Era fills the Hayes Theatre’s tiny stage to bursting.
- by John Shand, Peter McCallum and Joyce Morgan
‘An example of how not to do it’: Devil’s bargain behind record low cricket crowds
A meaningless series between Australia and England, including a record-low MCG crowd, offered a chilling preview of cricket’s landscape over the next four years.
- by Daniel Brettig
Awakening a ‘sleeping giant’: Federal government holds key to Socceroos’ future
Just getting the Socceroos to the World Cup without winning isn’t making anyone happy. The game wants more - and sports minister Anika Wells is listening.
- by Vince Rugari
Updated
Mass shooting
‘He just opened fire’: Multiple deaths after Walmart manager goes on shooting spree
It’s the second mass shooting in the US in three days after a gunman killed five and injured 17 at a Colorado LGBTQ nightclub.
- by Nathan Layne and Jay Paul
Race-by-race preview and tips for Thursday meeting at Wyong
Everything you need to make your selections for the NSW feature meeting.
- by Nick Berney
Updated
FIFA World Cup
Mixed night for European heavyweights as Germany stunned and Belgium, Spain win
Germany have suffered a shock defeat to Japan, becoming the second powerhouse after Argentina to get off to a poor start, while there were no such issues for the 2010 champions.
- by Toby Davis
Opinion
Cryptocurrencies
The crypto industry’s house of cards is tumbling down fast
One of the biggest questions of the FTX debacle is why were so many of the biggest names in business, politics and the media so willing to go along with the whole charade?
- by Matthew Lynn
Tragedy-hit family has $44 billion fortune locked in a bitter feud
Through five generations and 157 years, the Mistrys have grown an empire responsible for building palaces, factories and stadiums across Asia.
- by Alexander Sazonov, Bhuma Shrivastava and P R Sanjai
Analysis
Victorian election
Faith no more: Fewer Christians, but religion still haunts politics
Politics and religion have long been awkward partners in a secular state. The coming Victorian election is proving that falling numbers of Christians doesn’t mean political leaders are getting a break.
- by Tony Wright
‘Uninspired’: Focus group polling shows young voters are switched off
Focus-group polling in the battleground seat of Richmond shows many young voters are “uninspired” about Saturday’s election, and not engaged in any real sense with the major parties’ policies.
- by Bianca Hall
COVID zero: Violent protests break out at Apple’s main iPhone plant in China
Many among the vast workforce of more than 200,000 at “iPhone City” have been plunged into COVID isolation, forced to subsist on spartan meals and scrounge for medication.
Measles now an imminent global threat due to COVID pandemic, say WHO and CDC
Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications including swelling of the brain and dehydration.
- by Jennifer Rigby
Gleeson earns maiden Wallabies start after magpies ruin first training session
Rob Valetini’s injury has paved the way for Langi Gleeson to start this week against Wales, a few months after an amusing incident at his first Wallabies session.
- by Tom Decent
No love for FIFA as armband wars spread
As hostility towards FIFA and its armband stance grows with an on-field protest by Germany, Socceroo Jackson Irvine fears the message is being lost.
- by Greg Baum
Most Ukrainians left in the dark as Russia continues missile attack on power grid
Russia has been pounding the power grid and other facilities with missiles and exploding drones for weeks and the energy system is being damaged faster than it can be repaired.
- by John Leicester and Sam Mednick
The heart-wrenching true story behind hit podcast Sorry About the Kid
When Alex McKinnon’s brother was struck by a police car and killed at 14, he lost all memories of him. Now he’s trying to get them back.
- by Barry Divola
Cloud over Victoria’s long COVID clinics as federal funding dries up
Long COVID patients will face worsening waits for support as one of Victoria’s limited number of hospital clinics prepares to close its doors after losing Commonwealth funding.
- by Aisha Dow
75 million songs to pick from? I crave the age of deprivation
A broken eject button and a stuck Paul Simon tape doesn’t sound like cause for nostalgia - but I think of it often and fondly.
- by Tabitha Carvan
The Succession and GoT director who’s taken a cleaver to celebrity chefs
Cashed-up patrons pay around $2000 each to dine at an ornate and exclusive restaurant that can only be reached by boat in Mark Mylod’s film The Menu.
- by Garry Maddox
Sin, sex and Celine Dion: This is the best album you’ve never heard of
Here is a wild work from an enigmatic genius that is ridiculous, over the top and dripping in lyrical and musical excess.
- by Michael Koziol
Should you have a bit on the side?
In this week’s episode of It All Adds Up, we delve into “side hustles”, and if they’re the right choice for you.
- by Jessica Irvine and Dominic Powell
Medical complaints increase as patients hold doctors to account
Complaints about doctors make up the bulk of grievances lodged with Australia’s health practitioner watchdogs, as patients become more aware of their rights.
- by Kate Aubusson
Medibank’s main customers not affected in hacker data leaks
Medibank confirms that the customers of its budget ahm brand have been the only policyholders whose private health data has been released by hackers.
- by Colin Kruger
Scheme needed to cut insurance premiums amid ‘market failures’: Consumer lobby
Natural disasters are making household insurance unaffordable, the lobby group for insurance customers says.
- by Mike Foley
Nobody wants a broken hip in their future. These low-pressure moves will help
Most of us know someone who’s had a fall in old age. A new report suggests a new approach to prevention that sees physiotherapy come under Medicare.
- by Jenna Price
Exclusive
icare investigation
Injured worker Greg Dayman cut off from benefits on Christmas Day
The icare crisis deepens as a document reveals the workers’ compensation scheme has deteriorated to the point where it is “under threat”.
- by Adele Ferguson
Investigation
Political lobbying
Senior Coalition MP Stuart Robert gave secret advice to lobbyists
Senior Liberal MP Stuart Robert, while in government, secretly gave free advice to a Canberra consulting firm that helped large companies win government contracts and meet Coalition ministers.
- by Nick McKenzie and David Crowe
Battle of Hastings: Strictly Ballroom star and ex-staffer fight for state’s most marginal seat
In the ultra-marginal seat of Hastings, Labor’s star candidate, Paul Mercurio, is fighting for a notional nine votes with a former Greg Hunt staffer who has publicly defended Renee Heath.
- by Benjamin Preiss
Opinion
Healthcare
I’m a doctor who’ll trust pharmacists to diagnose
NSW and Victoria are indicating a move to give pharmacists more responsibility. Doctors should be part of this reform rather than dismiss it out of hand.
- by Dr Nick Coatsworth
Opinion
Pop culture
Cancelled! But can we please still enjoy the art?
There’s a world of difference between bopping along to R. Kelly and sobering up in front of Harry Potter.
- by Genevieve Novak
‘Final piece of the puzzle’: Why are property investors biding their time?
It is cheaper to buy property, quicker to find a tenant and easier to get higher rents. So, why are property investors waiting?
- by Tawar Razaghi
Punk rock lives, and other things we learned in Australian music in 2022
This year’s ARIA awards, back live after a three-year absence, offer a handy pulse-check on the state of the local music scene.
- by Michael Dwyer
‘Don’t like him’: The sledge that set off the Gallen-SBW feud
After disposing of Justin Hodges in his farewell fight, Paul Gallen has revealed the Sonny Bill Williams sledge that sparked a feud that will never be settled in the ring.
- by Adrian Proszenko
He was the first person to hack an iPhone. Now Musk has hired him to fix Twitter
The world’s richest man has just hired a man who first rose to prominence as a 17-year-old hacker
- by Gareth Corfield
Twin blasts shake Jerusalem, killing one person and wounding several
Two blasts went off near bus stops in Jerusalem on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring at least 18.
Updated
Women's AFL
Conti recognised by peers as MVP; Garner ‘a bit unlucky’ in W Award voting
Richmond midfielder Monique Conti has been named as the youngest winner of the AFLW players’ most valuable player award.
- by Carla Jaeger
Bemusement, frustration: Langer outburst inflames player feud
Justin Langer’s recent interview has further inflamed the intergenerational feud in Australian cricket, setting the scene for a tense start to the Test summer.
- by Andrew Wu and Daniel Brettig