Opinion
Opinion
Note From The Editor
How The Age covered the biggest stories of the month
Some of the year’s most important, troubling and powerful stories have unfolded in recent weeks. The Age editor looks back at how they were covered.
- by Patrick Elligett
Latest
Enough is enough: the CFMEU stain on our society must be removed
It’s a year since The Age’s investigation blew the lid on the union’s rotten conduct. Too little has changed.
- by The Age's View
Opinion
Climate policy
Why Barnaby’s war on net zero’s already sunk
Barnaby Joyce gave three reasons for dumping net zero climate change targets. They’re all wrong.
- by Nick O'Malley
Opinion
Middle East at war
I saw starving children every day in Gaza. It makes you question humanity
I’m going back in the coming months and I don’t know how I will be able to do my job. It’s become so dangerous.
- by Claire Manera
Opinion
NRL 2025
The NRL’s representative eligibility rules are broken. Here’s how to fix them
Samoa-born Stephen Crichton represents NSW. WA-born Kalyn Ponga wears the Maroons jersey. But Sydney-born Addin Fonua-Blake can’t play Origin. Go figure.
- by Michael Chammas
Opinion
Epstein fallout
The key sign Trump is losing the plot over Epstein
Donald Trump is flailing. The self-proclaimed slayer of the deep state stands accused of becoming its mouthpiece.
- by Nick Bryant
Opinion
Sex & relationships
Who hasn’t cheated? I have. So why do we mock the Coldplaygate couple?
I live in real life, not on the Jumbotron. Like many others, I’ve been betrayed and a betrayer. I know what those early days feel like.
- by Kate Halfpenny
Analysis
Naked City
Is this the way to treat a police hero?
Former police officer Wayne Sherwell, a Valour Award recipient, was recently arrested, fingerprinted and formally interviewed. It was over a Facebook post.
- by John Silvester
Analysis
Wallabies
Stagger then strike: What the Wallabies need to do to keep the series alive
The Wallabies were dismantled physically early but showed just enough fight and found just enough fixes to believe a turnaround is possible at the MCG.
- by Jonathan Drennan
Opinion
NRL 2025
Why Nathan Cleary didn’t make the best NRL team since 2000
The Western Suburbs coach of the century and former Dragons coach selects his best squad of the quarter-century. Do you agree?
- by Roy Masters
Opinion
Australian economy
The ABS just had to bin some statistics. Here’s what went wrong
Data collected from 30,000 households failed to meet the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ standards and was never released. It’s a particularly bad time for it, too.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Work therapy
My company hired a dud, despite my warnings. Should I have said more?
You did everything right according to the corporate textbook, but despite all of this, the panel clearly made the wrong decision.
- by Jonathan Rivett
Opinion
Antisemitism
Segal’s antisemitism plan takes us down a path we should fear to tread
What if the proposals made by Australia’s antisemitism envoy were made in the name of a range of other prejudices: transphobia, homophobia, anti-Indigenous racism, sexism?
- by Waleed Aly
Opinion
AFL 2025
From a Lygon era: Why I can’t cop a Silvagni at Collingwood
In terms of family name and connection to a club, the Silvagnis are comparable to the Kennedys at Hawthorn. Josh Kennedy, though, had good reason to go. Jack Silvagni has no need to leave the Blues for opportunity.
- by Jake Niall
Downsizing has its upsides. ‘It’s the best move we’ve ever made’
When the large family home no longer suited her lifestyle, Jane Caro knew what to do.
- by Jane Caro
Opinion
Mental health
We’re awash with mental health advice. Meanwhile, a generation is getting sadder
The outcomes of mistaking an influencer for a trained health professional are anything but good. Why are so many of us consuming scam content?
- by Clare Stephens
Analysis
NRL 2025
Why the NRL finals should start next weekend
Our predicted NRL ladder and every club’s run home paints a pretty picture for the current top eight. For everyone else though, they might as well start their Mad Mondays now.
- by Dan Walsh and Billie Eder
Opinion
Executive pay
Macquarie’s day of reckoning: Millionaires’ factory shareholders draw the line
In a humiliating first strike, management has been reminded that in achieving its objectives, executives also need to colour within the lines.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Political sketch
Trade
Pistol and Boo should have disguised themselves as (maybe mad) cows
Australia’s strict quarantine authorities famously booted out the movie star dogs. A few years later they are overturning a ban on US beef. We’re truly living in Trumpworld now.
- by Tony Wright
Opinion
Jobs
Why older workers can be ‘too qualified’ to get a new job
The higher you climb up the corporate ladder, complete with larger salaries and expectations, the fewer jobs there are.
- by Tim Duggan
Analysis
Victoria residential property
A new book aims to fix housing affordability, but there’s a better solution for Victoria
Abundance has captured the attention of economists and politicians alike, but could a simple solution be sitting right under their noses?
- by Jim Malo
Opinion
Middle East at war
Overkill in Gaza: Penny Wong was right to call out Israel
In an issue as complex as the Israel-Palestine question, it should come as no surprise that Australia and like-minded nations should hold both sides to account.
- by Rodger Shanahan
Opinion
Trade wars
Lost in translation: Trump doesn’t seem to understand the ‘massive’ deal he just made
Donald Trump says there has never been anything like the trade deal just struck with Japan. He’s probably right, but not in the way he thinks.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Analysis
Trump diplomacy
Albanese and Rudd will have to sell very different messages on US beef ban’s end
Donald Trump has been peeved by restrictions on beef exports to Australia, but a change to biosecurity rules is unlikely to prove a tariff game changer.
- by Matthew Knott
Analysis
AFL 2025
Charlie Curnow was feeling unhappy. Sydney and Geelong are keeping watch
Charlie Curnow would like to play for Gold Coast. Not that he has formally told Carlton or the Gold Coast that. It might be a nice thought for Charlie, but it won’t happen.
- by Michael Gleeson
Opinion
NRL 2025
Playmakers are now a protected species. It’s making rugby league boring
In 2025, halfbacks can do as they please without worrying about being whacked. The flow-on effect is a boring, predictable game.
- by Andrew Johns
Opinion
Australian economy
Albanese’s guru talkfest won’t make you richer – he’s chosen the wrong people
Anthony Albanese’s three-day talkfest on the economy is heavy on tax and policies. But it’s missing what has made our lives better for 200 years - invention.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Smoking & vaping
Australia has become the global village idiot on quitting smoking
Every day, 66 Australians die from the effects of smoking – not from an addiction to nicotine, but from the toxic delivery mechanism of cigarettes.
- by Fiona Patten
Analysis
Trump diplomacy
Trump’s Aussie ‘alpha male’ is falling flat in Malaysia
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is staring at a Nick Adams-shaped pickle.
- by Zach Hope
Opinion
Sunday Life
Why ‘inconvenient’ friendships may be the best kind
There’s a powerful bond with mates who’ve known you since childhood.
- by Jamila Rizvi
Analysis
AFL 2025
Steven May’s suspension was justified, and won’t change footy as we know it
Steven May was unlucky in the sense he didn’t mean to concuss his opponent, Francis Evans. But don’t fall for the hysteria about this case changing the game.
- by Peter Ryan
Letters
Letters
Be careful in changing rules on voting
The proposition to change the voting age in Australia draws a mixed response from readers.
Opinion
Antisemitism
When I visited Sydney, I was shocked by the antisemitism I encountered
Growing up Jewish in Australia, I had no personal family narrative of antisemitism. A weekend in Sydney changed that.
- by Marcus Solomon
Opinion
Pop culture
I lived my dream on US talk shows – the axing of Colbert’s Late Show is about one thing
It seemed surreal that I could go straight from the Melbourne comedy scene to a job with Jay Leno. But don’t think for a minute that the suits running the place are champions of political causes.
- by Simon Taylor
Political sketch
Political leadership
Question time returns, but you wouldn’t look here for answers
The inevitable dull roar from opposition benches signalled question time was back. Emphasis on dull. And roar? An exaggeration.
- by Tony Wright
Opinion
Trump's America
Planning a trip to the US? Don’t mention the Donald
Donald Trump is turning into the Basil Fawlty of American tourism.
- by Anthony Dennis
Opinion
Big four
Nowhere to hide for NAB boss after drinking accusations
Banking circles have been awash with personal views and informal “wine” audits by shareholders and analysts after the accusations levelled at Andrew Irvine.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Albanese government wants the Gaza war to end now. So do most Israelis
In Israel, the idea the war has gone on for too long is utterly mainstream, as is the idea Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is at least partly to blame.
- by Matthew Knott
Opinion
Trump's America
Trump sparks a $6.4 billion wipeout for a US icon
Donald Trump said his tariffs would make the US car industry “great again”, but a different story is starting to emerge.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Editorial
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The rise in international pressure over Gaza should be welcomed
International condemnation may not be the catalyst for a ceasefire, but it cannot help but be a factor.
- The Age's View
Analysis
Epstein fallout
Under the gun over Epstein, Trump tries to finger Obama for ‘treason’
The latest attempt by Donald Trump to distract from the Epstein issue could be dismissed as frivolous, but it appears to be having some effect in media circles.
- by Michael Koziol
Opinion
Superannuation
My super fund has collapsed. Can I get the pension in the meantime?
When you’re left without access to your super due to a fund failure, you can apply for a special exemption to get the age pension.
- by Noel Whittaker
Opinion
Investing
Want your portfolio to grow this year? Just follow this rule
Looking ahead to the second half of the year, the game plan for investors involves a whole lot of AI, along with some other solid bets.
- by Billy Leung
Opinion
Aged care
Getting aged care advice? Ask these five questions first
When it comes to aged care, the decisions you make can have significant financial and emotional consequences.
- by Rachel Lane
Opinion
Antisemitism
Defining antisemitism is no threat to free speech. Without a definition, we are adrift
The IHRA working definition of antisemitism is a lighthouse, not a bludgeon. Antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal has called for punitive action when patterned institutional antisemitism is not dealt with.
- by Adam Slonim
Opinion
HECS
Cutting HECS debt is the least Albanese could do for young Australians. He should do more
Our tax and benefits system favours the old over the young. Then there’s our ridiculous housing market. No wonder young people feel dudded.
- by Ross Gittins
Political sketch
Political leadership
Political enemies join parliament’s first-day love-in. Day two will be a different story
For just one day, love and homage to democracy were the central rituals as the 48th parliament opened.
- by Tony Wright
Opinion
Healthcare
Informal sperm donation is on the rise in Australia. So are the risks
Because of the informal nature of these arrangements, there is little oversight and even less data. But no woman should have to go through this kind of trauma in the pursuit of parenthood.
- by Neera Bhatia
Opinion
Australia votes
An interest in politics is great, but only adults should be allowed to vote
Compulsory voting means that casting a ballot is a responsibility. Sixteen-year-olds aren’t ready for that.
- by Brad Emery
Opinion
Australia votes
Whitlam gave 18-year-olds the vote. Now it’s time to lower it again
The UK has just announced it will lower the voting age to 16. What would happen if we followed suit?
- by Vivienne Skinner
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/opinion-1ql