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Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris with an inset of the reserve in Nedlands earmarked for the park.

opinion
opinion
Ben HarveyCommentsPremium
opinion
City of Nedlands is proof democracy doesn’t always work

There’s a political adage that decisions are made by those who show up. Unfortunately for the electors in Nedlands, this is who showed up.

Ben Harvey

Ben Harvey

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

opinion
opinion
THAT’S LIFE Comments
opinion
My startling realisation about who I am on travel tour

I am currently on a small group tour somewhere in Turkey and I have suddenly realised which role I occupy: it’s making me uncomfortable.

Nat Locke

Ley has two years to prove she can at least be competitive at the expected 2028 Federal poll, writes Joe Spagnolo.

opinion
opinion
Joe SpagnoloCommentsPremium
opinion
Will Ley do a better job at wooing WA than Dutton?

For mine, Sussan Ley has two years to prove she can at least be competitive at the expected 2028 Federal poll.

Joe Spagnolo

opinion
opinion
EDITORIALCommentsPremium
opinion
Urgent action needed to stem tide of death on WA roads

It’s one of the worst ever weeks on WA roads. The road toll is the highest it has been for almost 20 years, with 113 people killed since the start of the yea.

Editorial

New Agenda columnist Lanna Hill.

opinion
opinion
OpinionComments
opinion
Beyond the perky LinkedIn posts, business are struggling

LinkedIn is humming with job posts, announcements, appointments, and those “thrilled”, “honoured”, “grateful” posts. From the outside, it looks like business is booming again.

Lanna Hill

Childcare’s skinned knee Illustration: Don Lindsay

opinion
opinion
OpinionComments
opinion
Childcare saga shows disconnect

It’s such a familiar pattern. When a big scandal breaks publicly, governments jump into action, ministers rush out to say they’ll “do something” instantly.

Michelle Grattan

Justin Langer with the Perth RedStar Women’s Football Team and their head coach, Chris Atturo

opinion
opinion
Justin LangerComments
opinion
Was it all worth it? You’d be surprised

The surprise answer that gold medallist Nina Kennedy gave that had me reflecting on the soaring highs and deepest lows of life.

Justin Langer

Among the 81 serious cases studied in WA, 35 per cent were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

opinion
opinion
Harold ScrubyComments
opinion
Deadly e-scooters should be outlawed on WA footpaths

These machines are already implicated in nine deaths since WA legalised e-rideables in 2021; two people killed in the past month alone.

Harold Scruby

In the decade before COVID, Australia experienced a “productivity paralysis”, averaging only 0.3 per cent growth per quarter.

opinion
opinion
Cian Hussey Comments
opinion
Middle-class dream is dying as it gets ‘smaller and poorer’

In a speech given in October 2021, now-Treasurer Jim Chalmers argued that the ‘global middle class is getting smaller, older, poorer, less mobile, more difficult to get into, and harder to stay in.’

Cian Hussey

Liam O’Brien is the assistant secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions

opinion
opinion
OpinionComments
opinion
It’s time Australia paid apprentices more

We do need to urgently increase apprenticeship starts, but first we must address the poor completion rate, Australia loses nearly 50 per cent of its apprentices with 80 per cent walking away.

Liam O’Brien

Ben Harvey explains why just about every Australian’s retirement savings could take a hit because of Donald Trump’s latest tariff tantrum.

WATCH VideoCommentsPremiumThe REAL danger of Donald’s tariffs to Australia

Ben Harvey explains why just about every Australian’s retirement savings could take a hit because of Donald Trump’s latest tariff tantrum.

Ben Harvey | Thu, July 10

US President Donald Trump.

opinion
opinion
MARK RILEYComments
opinion
Trump World: Where allies are met with a closed fist

When an Aussie PM can expect a warmer welcome in Beijing than Washington, we’re in unusual times.

Mark Riley

Mark Riley

The new anti-Semitism report is a work of moral heft, demonstrating a 300 per cent rise in anti-Semitism, that must be stamped out.

opinion
opinion
EDITORIAL
opinion
Anti-Semitism report must be a line in the sand

The new anti-Semitism report is a work of moral heft, demonstrating a 300 per cent rise in anti-Semitism, that must be stamped out.

Editorial

Emma Memma pictured with Nazeem Fahmi (9), Nate Fearnall (9) with his brother Arlo (3) and Charlee Hosking (10).

opinion
opinion
EditorialCommentsPremium
opinion
Telethon to return soon for another magical year

The countdown is on: Telethon is just 100 days away and this year’s event is set to be another blockbuster. 

Editorial

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti tests out the new 100% electric Transperth buses at the Malaga bus on Sunday.

opinion
opinion
OpinionComments
opinion
Exciting movement with electric buses rolling out in WA

An exciting moment for public transport in WA with electric buses rolling out into the suburbs. Electric buses are now leaving the Malaga depot into key routes through Morley and Ballajura.

Rita Saffioti

WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas speaking during Budget Estimates in Parliament, in West Perth.

opinion
opinion
Basil ZempilasCommentsPremium
opinion
Rita’s race track is unpopular with her colleagues and WA

Who would have thought the real reason for Labor’s obsession with Rita’s race track would be delivered courtesy of former Labor premier Brian Burke?

Basil Zempilas

Orthocell chair John Van Der Wielen at Orthocell headquarters in the Murdoch Health Precinct.

opinion
opinion
John Van Der WielenComments
opinion
‘Culture of accountability’ is key in Crown Perth’s new era

Crown Perth is preparing to celebrate its 40th birthday on 30 December. Fittingly, it hits this milestone during the most transformative chapter in its history.

John Van Der Wielen

Ben Harvey gives the inside story of how a former Australian bikie who did five years in prison is about to take on the world’s greatest golfers at The British Open.

WATCHVideoCommentsPremiumHe hits a golf ball like you’d expect a bikie to. Hard.

Ben Harvey gives the inside story of how a former Australian bikie who did five years in prison is about to take on the world’s greatest golfers at The British Open.

Ben Harvey | Wed, July 9

Staff portrait Emma Garlett pictured in the studio.

opinion
opinion
OpinionComments
opinion
Strength is at the heart of existing as an Aboriginal person

It’s NAIDOC Week, and that means an opportunity to celebrate the strength, resilience and survival of First Nations people and commit to our ongoing empowerment.

Emma Garlett

Emma Garlett

Rally against Burswood race track at Parliament House

opinion
opinion
Brian BurkeCommentsPremium
opinion
Burswood race track plan is bread and circuses for bogans

Why is Government be so determined to proceed with a $217m racetrack no one wants? The answer is secret pre-election polling that convinced Labor strategists the party lacked support from the ‘bogan vote’.

Brian Burke

falling birth rate

opinion
opinion
OpinionComments
opinion
WA is being priced out of parenthood

It is no coincidence that, as the birthrate has been falling, so has the standard of living for West Australians.

Dean Smith

Mayor Fiona Argyle amongst the roses.

opinion
opinion
JESSICA PAGECommentsPremium
opinion
Nedlands saga shows things aren’t rosy in local governments

The door might be open, but it’s time to give some mayors a shove through it. 

Jessica Page

Jessica Page

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media in Sydney, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AAP Image/Steven Markham) NO ARCHIVING

opinion
opinion
EDITORIALComments
opinion
Now PM must salvage US relationship

That Anthony Albanese has managed to reset Australia’s relationship with China is perhaps the great achievement of his prime ministership to date. 

Ben Harvey unpacks the collapse of Nedlands City Council following a tumultuous time, including a public spat over plans for a Children’s Hospice in the suburb, with Mayor Fiona Argyle launching an extraordinary tirade on radio, delivering one of the all-time great trainwreck interviews.

WATCHVideoCommentsPremiumMayor delivers one of all-time great trainwreck interviews

Ben Harvey unpacks the collapse of Nedlands City Council following a tumultuous time, including a public spat over plans for a Children’s Hospice in the suburb.

Ben Harvey | Tue, July 8