The Australian

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Greens MP Sarah Hanson-Young, left, and husband Ben Oquist, a political analyst and former Executive Director of The Australia Institute. Pictures: News Corp

EXCLUSIVEPoliticsAn hour ago

Greens senator charged taxpayers $50K to ferry lobbyist husband to and from Canberra

Sarah Hanson-Young’s husband Ben Oquist works for a political lobbying firm that counts Ausgrid, Rio Tinto, Salesforce, Spotify, Uber and Wesfarmers among its clients.

Noah Yim and Jack Quail

AviationAviation36 minutes ago

Qantas superjumbo grounded for repairs after mid-flight wing drama

The celebrated return of Qantas’s final A380 has turned into a maintenance nightmare after a wing component failed during its comeback flight, which safely landed in Los Angeles.

Robyn Ironside

CommentaryCommentary2 minutes ago

Cameron Stewart

Chief International Correspondent

Zelensky defies Trump pressure over Ukraine peace deal

Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the White House’s demand that Kyiv surrender unconquered territory to Russia, risking the loss of America’s crucial support in peace negotiations.

Cameron Stewart

Chief International Correspondent

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - 10 DECEMBER, 2025: Australian Minister for Communications Anika Wells (L), Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (C) and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas (R) pictured having a barbeque at Kirribilli House celebrating the launch of Australia's social media ban. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

LIVE

POLITICS NOWNation

Coalition turns up heat on Wells as PM spruiks social media ban

James Paterson says Anika Wells might have contravened the Ministerial Code of Conduct over her lavish use of family travel perks; Anthony Albanese says world-leading laws banning under-16s from social media will see ‘families taking back control’.

Thomas Henry

10 December 2025; a photo comp of apps Lemon8, Yope and CoverStar. Artwork by Emilia Tortorella. Sources: supplied. Ratio: 4:3.

resistance tacticsTechnology

These apps are exploding after the social media ban

Teenagers have downloaded alternative apps and shared workarounds including using make-up to look older after Australia implemented its world-first social media ban for under-16s.

Jared Lynch and Jackson Robb

Tanya Plibersek, and a blue banded bee (inset). Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

Court challengeIndigenous

$1bn mine blocked but the minister’s reasoning is now on trial

A court has heard explosive claims that Tanya Plibersek “strapped up” her reasons for blocking a billion-dollar mine using a blue-banded bee Dreaming story submitted at the last minute.

James Dowling

Rock climbing bansNation

Natimuk / Mount Arapiles, Victoria - January 10, 2025: The town of Natimuk faces catastrophe if Mount Arapiles climbing ban goes forward. Local climber Melissa Edwards after a morning climb. Picture: The Australian / Nadir Kinani

What happens when governments come after their chief critics?

John Ferguson

FIFA WORLD CUPFootball

Participants in swimsuit wave a rainbow flag as they ride on a float during the LGBT Pride parade in Barcelona on July 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PAU BARRENA

A World Cup Pride match was planned then Iran, Egypt were drawn

Melbourne CourtsNewsWire

Cobblebank machete victims Dau Akueng and Chol Achiek

Third child escaped machete killings: court

Liam Beatty

yet more secret childrenWorld

Vladimir Putin's youngest son Vladimir Jr (L). Picture: OSINTBees.com

Nick Ryan

Commentary

COMMENTARY

‘Trump has one virtue alone – he may prevent a World War III’

Donald Trump’s national security strategy abandons global leadership for Western hemisphere dominance. Former PM Paul Keating hails it as a historic turning point terminating the post-World War II era.

Paul Kelly

Editor-At-Large

COMMENTARY

Sally Dowling’s battles are no good for justice

How much longer will Chris Minns countenance a chief prosecutor – and her office – being at the centre of a war with sections of the NSW judiciary?

Janet Albrechtsen

Columnist

COMMENTARY

Utopian forecasts pave way to net zero future

The energy regulator has delivered a $128bn bombshell that threatens to derail Chris Bowen’s promise of cheap, abundant renewable power for all Australians.

Geoff Chambers

Political editor

COMMENTARY

Strong, clear policies hold blueprint for conservative revival

The conservative movement risks extinction as disenchanted voters flee to fringe parties, but strong policies and clear alternatives offer a blueprint for revival.

Tony Abbott

Business

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA -NewsWirePhotos- MARCH 12, 2025: Healthscope is preparing for sale just weeks after coming under scrutiny following the death of a two-year-old boy at one of their NSW hospitals. A Healthscope spokesperson confirmed the company had entered into

DATAROOMDataRoom

Ramsay, PEP enter exclusive talks for Healthscope carve up

Receivers are starting to piece together a solution for the collapsed private hospital operator, as they reject Calvary’s proposal to buy 12 assets.

Bridget Carter

Gold and silver miners are the day's big movers. Bapcor chief executive Angus McKay has his task cut out on turning around the auto-parts group as balance sheet concerns rise.

Trading DayTrading Day46 minutes ago

Precious metals’ record run drives mining gains; Bapcor gearing risks

Investors pile into precious metals miners as silver hits new record highs after meteoric gains in gold and silver this year. Analysts say Angus McKay-led Bapcor’s profit downgrade has made its ‘gearing more of a concern’.

David Rogers and Valerina Changarathil

Port Pirie Smelter $135m rescue plan announced. Richard Holtum, CEO Trafigura, parent company of Nyrstar 5th August 2025 Picture: Brett Hartwig

MiningMining & Energy

Smelters propped up by taxpayers record $362m blow

Brad Thompson

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA- NewsWire Photos- SEPTEMBER 15, 2025. Ferras Merhi arrives at Federal court for ASIC case against him alleging

SuperBusinessAn hour ago

Super levy a short-term fix for a $100m-plus problem

Cliona O'Dowd and David Ross

Real estate crisisBusiness

JLL agent drank to cope with stress amid dangerous conduct

Ben Wilmot

CommentaryCommentary

Behind the scenes of the surprise retail spending rush

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos NOVEMBER 29, 2025: Crowds flock to the Bourke Street Mal for the final days of the Black Friday sales. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

A surprise trading boom in Black Friday’s final week points to change in the retail sector, leaving even successful merchants scrambling to understand the new reality.

Robert Gottliebsen

Interest ratesEconomics

Overheating economy pushes RBA to ‘uncomfortable’ hike talks

Jim Chalmers and Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass, Christian Gilles

Experts are now expecting two hikes within the next year after Michele Bullock warned Australians her board is having ‘uncomfortable’ discussions.

Matthew Cranston

ExclusiveLegal Affairs

‘Hardly knew her’: Pratts claim half-sister already got $57m, not on tombstone

Paula, Heloise and Anthony Pratt and Fiona Geminder

Billionaire Pratt siblings have dismissed Paula Hitchcock’s inheritance claim, arguing their late father never intended she share equally, and already provided her with a $57m bequest.

Angelica Snowden and John Stensholt

Wealth

9 December 2025; a photo comp of the ASX board and houses in Perth. Artwork by Emilia Tortorella. Sources: supplied and iStock. Ratio 16:9.

Investment gainsInvesting

Property or shares? The No.1 investment of the past 25 years

We analysed stockmarket and house price growth over the first quarter of this century, and the biggest winners may surprise you.

Anthony Keane

Modern backyard with a small house, patio furniture, and lush green lawn at sunset.

PropertyProperty Investing

Tap into new tax rules to fund your granny flat

Retirees are driving a backyard building boom with intergenerational living the latest property hack. But those looking at granny flats need to know the rules.

James Kirby

Self-managed familiesSuperannuation

What to consider before creating a family SMSF

Real estate, senior parents or portrait of happy family with smile in new house, apartment or residence. Retirement, mature mum or father with loan, woman or proud man moving in property investment; adult children

Parents can add children to their self-managed super funds, yet uptake remains slow as experts warn of hidden pitfalls.

Anthony Keane

billionairesRich Life

A $173bn wealth transfer boom expected for Australia

Young well dressed man with sunglasses exiting from the back seat of the car, holding his smart phone and waving to someone. He looks like a famous musician or other celebrity. Private jet airplane is in the background. istock image.

Australia stands to benefit from a mega inheritance wave as Asia’s wealthy families prepare to transfer unprecedented fortunes to their mobile heirs.

Charlie Cunningham

Investment strategiesPersonal Finance

How parents can build a six-figure home deposit for their kids

Two smiling women, a mother and daughter, holding new house keys and a paper house model, celebrating the excitement of moving into their apartment filled with moving boxes and plants; housing generic

The bank of mum and dad can use this simple strategy to help get their children on the property ladder. But starting early is key.

Anthony Keane

Culture

InterviewCulture

‘Real love’ is built when things fall apart: Hugh Jackman opens up

The Australian actor talks about joy and heartbreak as he and Kate Hudson star as a Neil Diamond tribute duo in the new film Song Sung Blue.

Lydia Lynch

American Canto author Olivia Nuzzi and R.F.K., Jr.

Book reviewCulture

Should you read the book everyone is talking about?

Published amid controversy over Olivia Nuzzi’s alleged entanglement with Robert F. Kennedy Jr, American Canto promises a window into US politics. But does it deliver?

Timothy Lynch

This image released by A24 shows Rose Byrne in a scene from

Awards season beginsCulture

Golden Globes: A-list Aussies lead the nominations

Australian actors have swept into Golden Globe contention with Jacob Elordi earning double nominations while Rose Byrne, Sarah Snook and Joel Edgerton secure major recognition.

Milanda Rout

The Death of Bunny Munro is a six-part Sky Original TV series based on Nick Cave's sophomore novel of the same name. The series sees acclaimed actor Matt Smith star as the titular character and executive produce. Following his wife Libbyâs suicide, sex addict, door-to-door beauty product salesman and self-professed lothario Bunny Munro finds himself saddled with a young son and only a loose concept of parenting. Together with nine-year-old Bunny Junior he embarks on an epic and increasingly out-of-control road trip across Southern England as the two struggle to contain their grief in very different ways. As Bunny bounces from one sales pitch to the next, trying to seduce any woman he meets, Bunny Junior kills time talking to the ghost of his mother and distracting himself from the dawning realisation that his dad isnât just fallible, heâs a fucking mess. As he starts to unravel, Bunny realises he must do something to rescue his son from his own outdated notions of what it is to be a man. The Death of Bunny Munrois a darkly comic and unflinching modern-day parable as well as a tender portrait of the relationship between father and son.

What to watch this weekCulture

Nick Cave’s grubby, gorgeous plunge into television

Australia’s Prince of Darkness has created television gold with The Death of Bunny Munro, a six-part series starring Matt Smith as a sex-addicted cosmetics salesman on a road trip with his nine-year-old son.

Geordie Gray

4/12/2025: (L-R, centre standing) Queensland Ballet soloist Georgia swan and principal dancer Lucy Green, along with other dancers are involved in a new, on-stage campaign to argue for more federal funding and funding fairness for the company, after it was forced to cut 27 jobs, during a break in rehearsals at QLD Ballet studios in the Thomas Dixon Centre, West End, Brisbane. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen / The Australian

A pointed messageCulture

‘Terrified’: Ballerina’s desperate plea over cuts

Dancers at Queensland Ballet have appealed directly to audiences after 27 job cuts and a $9.4m deficit, urging the federal government to lift support for the company in line with its better-funded peers.

Geordie Gray

Spotlight

Nation

Will expense-happy minister Anika Wells have to go?

EMBARGO FOR TWAM 29 MAY 2021 FEE APPLIES Top view of girl sitting on windowsill, she is holding volume at her knees CR Getty Images

TECH BANNation

10 Australian books to keep your kids off social media

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, with dragons, in Game Of Thrones. Pic: Binge/HBO

Wednesday QuizCulture

What is both the name of a Rembrandt painting and a military order in Game of Thrones?

Today’s Paper

Read today’s edition of The Australian

In this picture shared on social media on June 22, 2025, Anika Wells poses for a photograph in the Snowy Mountains for a paralympics funding announcement. Picture: Instagram

EXPLAINERNation

The taxpayer-funded perk all 226 parliamentarians can tap into

Health & Wellbeing

Person undergoing a CAT scan in hospital. PET scan equipment. Medical CT scan of patient.

‘DO NO HARM’Caring

Why ChatGPT should not be ordering your next scan

Sometimes, having a medical test can lead to consequences worse than the original symptom. Doctors need to take that into account because AI does not.

MICHAEL GANNON

FACEBOOK SHOCKRelationships

Laughter, with your mates, really is the best medicine

While social media can help you connect with old friends, sometimes it’s all a bit too late. There’s nothing like talking to make you realise the value of decades of familiarity.

Matthew Condon

Tracy Herrmann has one of her tattoos removed by Chroma Tattoo Studio Laser Tattoo Removal owner Jaime Howard on Nov. 19, 2025, in West Bloomfield, Mich. (AP Photo/Corey Williams)

REGRETwellbeing

The painful, costly reality of erasing that tattoo you regret

From Colin Farrell to Angelina Jolie, even the famous face the same brutal reality when it comes to removing that body art.

Corey Williams

Colleen Stieler-Hunt thought she was dead after suffering an aortic dissection which is a life-threatening emergency. Her treatment included blood platelets which helped to stem her bleeding.

FREEZING TECHNIQUEMedical

The blood revolution that will save more lives

This medical practice saved severely injured Australian troops in battle. Now researchers have shown how this method could be a game changer for patient care, especially in regional areas.

Penny Timms

Bipolar brain disorder and mental health function concept as a human head divided in two colors as a neurological mood and emotion symbol or psychological metaphor for social behavior as a 3D illustration.

Funding failureMental Health

NDIS wasting billions on failed mental health support

The scheme spends billions each year on daily help, such as cooking and cleaning for people with mental health disabilities, but a new report says there’s no evidence it helps long-term recovery.

Stephen Lunn

Australian researchMedical

The surprising side benefits of vaccines

As US political leaders question vaccine safety, scientists point to studies that show the shots might provide benefits beyond their intended targets.

SUMATHI REDDY

RendezView. Teeny, tiny newborn baby sucking on the teat of a bottle that had nourishing formula. But it wasn't breast milk so eyebrows were raised. (Pic: iStock)

EXCLUSIVETechnology

Lab-grown milk is coming – here’s what it means for mums

A Sydney start-up claims it can create ‘bio-identical milk’ that delivers 90 per cent of breast milk’s nutrition.

Jared Lynch

World

Israeli soldiers climb on the rubble next to the entrance of a tunnel in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)

Gaza warWorld

Gaza stabilisation force set for ‘deployment early 2026’

Which countries would join the International Stabilisation Force has become a thorny issue, with Israeli officials saying only one or two countries would deploy troops at first.

Liz Jamieson

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner attend a concert to mark the 80th Anniversary of V-E Day at Horse Guards Parade, London, Thursday May 8, 2025. (Chris Jackson/Pool via AP, File)

leadership crisisThe Times

‘Rather stick pins in her eyes’: Will Rayner go for Starmer’s job?

Angela Rayner has been set on a comeback since the moment she resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet. What are her options?

Steven Swinford and Patrick Maguire

BAKHMUT, UKRAINE - MARCH 05: Ukrainian medic

AnalysisThe Times

How a US-backed peace deal could tear Ukraine apart

Marc Bennetts

(FILES) (COMBO) This combination of pictures created on February 19, 2025 shows, L-R, US President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, on February 18, 2025 and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on February 19, 2025. The United States and Ukraine on April 30, 2025 signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT and Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / various sources / AFP)

russia invasionWorld

‘Get on the ball and accept you’re losing’ Trump urges Ukraine

Laurence Norman and Anastasiia Malenko

Smoke rises as Israeli military demolish a house east of Gaza City, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

years-long jobThe Wall Street Journal

Gaza sits under 68 million tons of rubble: how can it be cleared?

Margherita Stancati, Emma Brown and Abeer Ayyoub

Travel

Molly Brown, who survived the Titanic disaster.

LARGER THAN LIFETravel

She survived the Titanic. What she did next was even more remarkable

Molly Brown helped to row a lifeboat of female survivors to safety. What she achieved over the ensuing decades makes her even more worthy of a museum.

libby moffet

Next in travelTravel

It’s the world’s last divided capital and a budding tourist hotspot

Though long split between two nations, this European city is blossoming with a new wave of cultural cross-pollination, gentrified precincts and a stately hotel in a historical villa.

Rachel Howard

Travel

The Hunter Valley butcher shop turning wine lovers into meat lovers

First Creek Wines in Pokolbin, Hunter Valley.

Amid the region’s award-winning wineries and restaurants is a 1937 butchery drawing carnivores from far and wide.

GRAHAM ERBACHER

flight reviewTravel

This is what flying business class is supposed to be like

Qantas 787-9 Business Class. Photo: Qantas.

A fluffy mattress and exceptional hospitality make this flight feel properly special. But Qatar’s QSuites are still a notch above for total comfort.

STEPHEN CORBY

Life & Luxury

EMBARGO FOR WISH MAGAZINE, 06 DECEMBER 2025. FEE MAY APPLY. The Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne was French luxury conglomerate LVMHs first event in a 10-year partnership with F1 motor racing. Photo: Supplied

About timeWish

How luxury brands are winning over a difficult Australian market

The local luxury landscape now keeps pace with global shifts in expectations, tastes and trends.

Annie Brown

Comme des Garcon and Dover Street Market's Adrian Joffee and Jo Horgan in Melbourne on Friday.

Tactile shoppingStyle

Tickled pink: Mecca’s latest project is redolent with meaning

Mecca founder Jo Horgan has secured Comme Des Garcons’ first perfume collaboration in 15 years, with a limited-edition fragrance in her stores.

Annie Brown

Chanel’s first New York fashion show in seven years took place at an empty subway platform. Picture: CHANEL

Luxury marketThe Wall Street Journal

In its new era, Chanel wants shoppers to look beyond handbags

A starry show, set in an empty subway station, signalled a fresh optimism at the French fashion house, whose business is doing ‘better than ever’ despite pricing increases in recent years.

CHAVIE LIEBER

This week’s offer from The Australian Wine Club features John Lehmann’s favourites from 2025.

The Australian Wine ClubFood & Drink

Our favourite Aussie wines of 2025

Blockbuster wines and less familiar varietals to enjoy with your favourite people over the festive season.

John Lehmann

Magazine

EMBARGO FOR TWAM, 13 DECEMBER. FEE MAY APPLY. Crispy Pork Belly from Lucky Dragon Supper Club by Stephanie Feher, photography by Rob Palmer Murdoch Books RRP $39.99

EntertainingThe Weekend Australian Magazine

Friends coming over? Try these fresh ideas for a party

I love a table that becomes a space where individuals feel valued, and where the group as a whole thrives.

Stephanie Feher

Our motoring experts looks back on 20 years of transformation in the car industry.

Car reviewWish

‘Bigger and uglier’: our motoring expert reflects on two decades of car industry transformation

From the end of Australian-made cars to the supersize-me trend, plug-in versus pump and the sad shift to increasingly minimalist interiors.

Stephen Corby

EMBARGO FOR WISH MAGAZINE, 06 DECEMBER 2025. FEE MAY APPLY. Kylie Minogue at The Hotel de Crillion in Paris. Photo: Christian Vermaak

Aussie iconWish

Raise a glass: Kylie Minogue’s 2026 WISH List

Our national treasure on her style staples, holiday essentials and the advice she’d give her 20-year-old self.

Katrina Israel

There are book bargains at Beerwah today.

COMMENTARYThe Weekend Australian Magazine

The big reason you can’t finish long books anymore

I recently read Frankenstein, or tried to. It’s a novel of galloping pace I’d always loved yet I found myself skimming, skipping over passages, checking emails, watching cat videos. What is happening to me?

Nikki Gemmell

1977. Richie Benaud and SECOND WIFE Daphne

MAGAZINEThe Weekend Australian Magazine

A cricket love affair: Daphne Benaud on her life with a legend

A decade after Richie’s death, the woman who knew cricket’s most famous voice better than anyone reveals details of their legendary romance.

Oliver Brown

Sport

Australiaâs Pat Cummins prepares to bowl during a practice session at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 20, 2025, ahead of the first Ashes cricket Test match between Australia and England. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Cricket

Pat’s back: England’s Ashes nightmare set to get worse

A key member of Australia’s extended team will miss the lead-in to the Adelaide Test due to duties at the IPL auction. But, skipper Pat Cummins has been named to return.

Daniel Cherny

MELBOURNE. 07/05/2023. AFl. Round 8. Collingwood vs Sydney at the MCG. Sydneys Tom Papley bumps into Nick Daicos of the Magpies before the opening bounce . Pic: Michael Klein

AFL

AFL to ban stars for gut punches as more rule changes loom

The AFL has outlined proposed tweaks to the rules for the 2026 season including a crackdown on deliberate on-field acts. Plus, more possible rule changes have been flagged. See the details.

Josh Barnes

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 10: (L-R) Sean Abbott of New South Wales and Mitchell Starc of New South Wales walk from the ground after declaring during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and New South Wales at Gladys Elphick Park on November 10, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

CricketAn hour ago

‘Sorry Mitchell’: The NSW skipper who denied Starc a maiden ton

A first class ton continues to elude Mitch Starc, an anomaly that could have been avoided in 2020 if NSW’s then captain Peter Nevill didn’t declare with the pace ace on 86.

Ben Horne

Cricket

Where does Carey rank among Australia’s great glovemen?

Alex Carey’s brilliance behind the stumps in Brisbane has sparked debate about where he sits in the pantheon of Australian Test wicketkeepers. Have your say here.

Ben Horne

Cricket

The unthinkable has happened — we might like Stuart Broad

For so long, Stuart Broad was one of Australia’s greatest cricket nemeses. But in retirement, we’re quickly learning we might have been wrong to dislike him, writes Robert Craddock.

Robert Craddock

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Mark Wood of England during the practice match between England and the Lions at Lilac Hill on November 13, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Cricket

Will this latest Ashes setback mark the end of English quick?

English speedster Mark Wood’s latest injury setback has him ruled out of the Ashes, and as MIKE ATHERTON writes, it could mark the end of an era.

Mike Atherton and The Times

AI and the new frontier of cyber defenceEditorial

Security in 2026: Speed, AI and the new frontier of cyber defence

A unique look at the current cybersecurity landscape.

A STAFF REPORTER

PARTNER CONTENTWish

Layers of love: Cartier’s timeless icon enters the age of stacking

Whether it’s diamond huggies climbing the ear, mixed metals draped along the décolletage, or contrasting bands stacked up to the knuckles, modern jewellery styling has embraced a singular truth: more is more, when it’s done with intention.

A STAFF REPORTER

Daily Cartoon

John Spooner Commentary Page Cartoon for 10-12-2025 Version: Commentary Cartoon (4:3, 1024x768 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added) COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications. Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.

Daily Cartoon

Inquirer

Anthony Albanese has requested a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Picture: NewsWire

We should work with Washington to make Gaza peace work

commentaryEconomics

Policy all good ‘up until recently’

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - 09 DECEMBER 2025: RBA Governor Michele Bullock gives a statement after the RBA's Monetary Policy Decision to keep interest rates on hold. Picture: NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Independent RBA governor Michele Bullock made veiled admissions to what many economists think has produced the risks of higher inflation and rates.

Matthew Cranston

COMMENTARYNation

Details of the review must be released

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong conduct a joint press briefing in Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Brann)

Richard Marles was unable to answer a single question about how the Pentagon’s review would improve AUKUS. But that’s not his fault – it’s a choice by the Pentagon

Joe Kelly

Aviation

A Qantas Airways Airbus A380 plane sits on the runway as a Virgin Australia Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane prepares to take off at Sydney International Airport on April 3, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

‘Uphill battle’: Qantas boss on job cuts and rivals

OVERCHARGING SCANDALAviation

TechOne gives its ex-Corporate Travel CFO a glowing review

TechnologyOne has backed finance boss Cale Bennett after shareholders raised concerns about his previous role at Corporate Travel Management.

Joseph Carbone

AviationAviation

Inside Qantas’s new lounge that took 15 redesigns to perfect

Qantas has provided a sneak preview of its new look Auckland International Airport lounge opening on December 17, ahead of busy Christmas travel season. Picture: Supplied

Qantas has unveiled its new Auckland lounge after designer David Caon changed the floor plan 15 times, with luxury features like shower suites and more space.

Robyn Ironside

Education

Post-pandemic, school kids double down on taking sickies

Wage theftHigher Education

Monash underpaid workers for 11 years

Wage theft, a vote of no confidence, a new leadership team and a boost to research funding have caught the attention of universities this week.

Natasha Bita

SHAPING AUSTRALIAEducation

Gong contenders already making real-life difference

Students interact with co-designed, curriculum-aligned digital lessons — showcasing how OurFutures Vaping equips young people with real-world skills to resist vaping and support their peers.

A charity helping people recover from child sexual abuse through boxing and writing, and a school-based anti-vaping program are among the finalists in Universities Australia’s Shaping Australia awards.

Joanna Panagopoulos

Media

Hollywood takeover: a battle for Warner Bros begins

EXCLUSIVEThe Growth Agenda

Havas bulks up with indie media agency purchase

Havas ANZ CEO James Wright, with Kaimera founders Nick Behr and Trent McMillan.

Global communications group Havas has acquired indie media agency Kaimera to add more firepower as it takes on the “big beasts” in the AI era.

Danielle Long

The Growth Agenda

McLaren wins continue with biggest ad takeover

Airwallex has launched the country's biggest screen takeover campaign to celebrate McLaren's F1 win.

McLaren’s Lando Norris is adding to his F1 title win, with sponsor Airwallex leveraging the moment with the country’s biggest out-of-home ad takeover.

Danielle Long

Property

Generic wood Queenslander houses ,needing renovating or renovated Queenslander houses , in Paddington , Brisbane.

Airbnb owners must rent long-term

tourismBusiness

Experience Co sells luxury division to Intrepid

The Arkaba Walk includes two-nights deluxe swag camping and one night in the beautifully restored 1850s Arkaba Homestead. Picture: Supplied

Intrepid has paid $5.1m for Experience Co’s accommodation near Kakadu and Flinders Ranges.

Lisa Allen

ExclusiveCommercial

Goodman Group poised to pour billions into data centres

Artist's impression of the Goodman Group's data centre in Artarmon, Sydney

Greg Goodman’s plans for a $15bn Sydney data centre empire could dwarf specialist rivals as the billionaire converts warehouses into AI infrastructure goldmines.

Ben Wilmot

Technology

Ben Madsen managing partner and co-founder of Archibald Capital/ Picture: Peter Rae/ Australian Financial Review

Madsen sleight of hand alleged in battle for a million Firmus shares

Triple-0 crisisTechnology

Second death linked to phone flaw as Minister snubs triple-0 inquiry

Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells pictured at the past two AFL Grand Finals - Picture Instagram

Communications Minister Anika Wells has refused to appear before a Senate inquiry that has uncovered a second death linked to faulty ‘death phones’ that fail to connect to emergency services.

Jared Lynch

EXCLUSIVETechnology

EVs are booming – but they hide a toxic plastic secret

(FILES) This photo taken on April 18, 2024 shows BYD electric cars for export waiting to be loaded onto a ship at a port in Yantai, in eastern China's Shandong province. Chinese battery and carmaker BYD saw a surge in revenue last year, a stock filing showed on March 24, 2025, surpassing the $100 billion mark and beating rival Tesla as the Shenzhen-based firm accelerates its overseas expansion. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT

Samsara Eco has developed breakthrough technology to tackle a hidden crisis as electric vehicles create millions of tonnes of unrecyclable plastic waste.

Jared Lynch

Science

Christmas Christian Nativity Scene of baby Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph in silhouette surrounded by animals and the three wise men with the city of Bethlehem in the distance

Has a wise man at NASA solved the Star of Bethlehem mystery?

ExclusiveMining & Energy

Inquiry into mercury exposure

Ichthys Explorer - central processing facility

The offshore energy regulator is investigating potential mercury exposure on a gas project after workers were exposed to ‘black soot’, with one reporting high blood mercury levels.

James Dowling

The Wall Street Journal

Climate change study predicting dire economic harm is retracted

(FILES) This file satellite photo taken on September 29, 2005 and handout by NASA shows the minimum concentration of Arctic sea ice in 2005 that occurred on September 21, when the sea ice extent dropped to 2,05 million square miles (53 094 969 million square kilometers). There's good and bad news for people, and polar bears, threatened by the Arctic's vanishing sea ice, scientists said on March 6, 2017. First the good news: summer ice cover is

Prestigious journal Nature claimed the world’s economic output would decline 62 per cent by 2100 – a more severe estimate than other forecasts – but that information now appears to be skewed

Aylin Woodward and Ed Ballard

Food & Wine

EMBARGO FOR TWAM, 06 DECEMBER. FEE MAY APPLY. TWAM Food. Christmas. Butterfly chicken with festive pangrattato, Roast tomato, chickpea and fennel salad, Mint granita, cherries and vanilla ice cream recipe by Lizzie Hewson. Seared summer fish crudo, Glazed Ham, Raspberry and passionfruit pavlova recipe by Lennox Hastie. Photo: Nikki To / TWAM

Elizabeth Hewson: ‘I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted this Christmas’

CHRISTMASThe Weekend Australian Magazine

Rick Stein’s perfect Christmas canapes

I am uplifted by the celebration of Christmas. It’s an outpouring of communal affection adorned by the brightest of lights. Here are three recipes to help you get your celebrations started.

Rick Stein

CHRISTMASThe Weekend Australian Magazine

How to cook a Christmas ham like Lennox Hastie

The Firedoor chef serves up the ultimate Australian Christmas menu – including his recipe for a perfect glazed ham.

Lennox Hastie

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/

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