January 24 – 30, 2026
News
Comment
Comment
Danielle Wood
New Year resolutions for the treasurer
“This is the season for resolutions – the time when many of us commit to eating better, exercising more and getting off our phones. Treasurer Jim Chalmers should make a different kind of resolution: it’s Australia’s economy that needs to get into shape.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Singer-songwriter Stella Donnelly
After three years out of the spotlight, singer-songwriter and bird enthusiast Stella Donnelly is back with a new album and fresh inspiration.
Music
Megadeth’s masterful final album
Megadeth’s self-titled farewell album rivals the band’s early thrash metal masterpieces.
Fiction
Gerberas
“Mr and Mrs Williams live on a large property where they raised their children. The children are gone and now there is too much house. At first, they liked spreading out, claiming rooms for their hobbies. Mr Williams designed the Gym, the Library and the Oratory. Mrs Williams created the Sewing Quarter, the Spooky Suite and the Decoupage Den. Both had a hand in creating the Kitty Room, a place of carpeted ladders, dangling woollen balls and boxes, where their cats once pursued their obscure feline purposes. There are no more cats at the house, the special rooms are unused and Mrs Williams has dementia.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Politics
“I think some time apart is probably a good thing.”
The leader of the National Party announces his party’s split from the Liberals. It was the press conference equivalent of going down to the shops for a pack of cigarettes.
Prizes
“Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace …”
The United States president sends a text message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Gerald Murnane sends similar messages every year.
Plumbing
“It’s very hard to police people who aren’t even registering for the Wastesafe system.”
The Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of NSW executive director responds to reports that 12,000 businesses may be illegally dumping grease into Sydney’s sewers. At issue is a fatberg in Malabar that may be as large as four buses.
Royals
“They continue to come after me. They have made my wife’s life an absolute misery, my Lord.”
The fifth in line to the British throne gives evidence in a case against the publisher of the Daily Mail. The appropriate way to pursue the prince is through a multi-year streaming deal.
Sharks
“Go for a run instead.”
The emeritus professor of marine ecology at Macquarie University offers his advice after a string of shark attacks around Sydney. Experts blame the maulings on murky conditions after heavy rain.
Film
“I think this bitch knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin.”
The pop star’s December 2024 message to close friend Blake Lively about the latter’s director and co-star, Justin Baldoni. By all accounts, it’s a generous description.
