ASIO’s new secret spy powers are ‘extraordinary’

Our domestic spy agency copped a lot of criticism in December after the Bondi Beach massacre for failing to prevent the attack. But is the answer expanded powers? A bill passed in parliament last week is proposing just that – laws that force suspects to answer questions, or face a jail sentence. …

The open secret about the Sydney Swans

It's a shameful time for the Sydney Swans. Michael Gleeson says the latitude given to their players has been an open secret among rival clubs, while Caroline Wilson and Peter Ryan say the Swans have lost the moral superiority they once carried because of the behaviour of five players at East Melbou…

All-boys schools, elite sports and sexual assault

Chanel Contos is a young Sydney woman who, five years ago, made headlines after she collated and published the testimonies of thousands of women and girls about instances of sexual assault they’d experienced. Many had made allegations they’d been assaulted by teenage boys who went to some of Sydne…

Comedian Myf Warhurst turns serious – about everything

Think of Myf Warhurst and the word “bubbly” might spring to mind. With everything the radio and TV personality does – from Spicks and Specks to the Eurovision Song Contest or her documentary, The Truth about Menopause – Warhurst is known as the ray of sunshine, the nice one (she’s even the voice of…

Tony Wright on the best and worst prime ministers, and the courage needed now

Today we have something special and a little bit different because Tony Wright, one of the stalwarts of Australian political writing, is stepping back from daily newsroom duties after 50 years in journalism. For about 30 of these years, Tony reported on federal politics. Bob Hawke was the first pri…

Tony Wright on the best and worst prime ministers, and the courage needed now

Today we have something special and a little bit different because Tony Wright, one of the stalwarts of Australian political writing, is stepping back from daily newsroom duties after 50 years in journalism. For about 30 of these years, Tony reported on federal politics. Bob Hawke was the first pri…

Trump's shock South Korea decision

We know that Donald Trump has made a habit out of rewarding dictators and throwing off the shackles of long-standing relationships with allies. Today international and political editor Peter Hartcher discusses Donald Trump’s latest appeasement of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, and the threats …

Three-horse race as teams jostle for top eight

As the NRL competition edges closer to the finals, the race to the top of the pack intensifies. The Panthers are slight premiership favourites as the Roosters and Warriors start to mount their finals campaigns. But it's the race to the bottom of the eight that is still in contention, and with only…

A minefield for tipsters

The Swans are in turmoil and North Melbourne are finishing the season strongly. Collingwood’s kids have delivered, but can they take it up to the mighty Brisbane Lions? Fremantle have nothing to play for, and a number of clubs are looking to give their battered stars a rest before the wildcard game…

The Sydney Swans sexual assault allegations

Another scandal involving an alleged sexual assault has erupted in the AFL. One player from the Sydney Swans football team was spoken to by police after an alleged sexual assault said to have taken place in the early hours of Monday. Today, The Age’s chief AFL writer, Jake Niall, discusses what's k…