Australians more pessimistic about almost everything
Political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN finds more Australians are becoming wary of the economy, multiculturalism and the US in her analysis of the latest 2026 poll by the Lowy Institute.
- Politics
- Opinion
Cartoon / Dose of Dorin
Cartoonist PAUL DORIN takes a sardonic look at the potential bird flu outbreak.
- News
Going ballistic: spider spins a spring-loaded trap
A bizarre new species of spider has been discovered in the rainforests of far north Queensland that spins a unique trap to snare a single species of ant.
- Arts & Entertainment
Middle-raged, Queenie’s ready to sing about it
Middle Raged – A Musical Meltdown, about to premiere at The Playhouse, is the brainchild of two former Canberrans, performer Queenie van de Zandt and writer-producer Tiffany Noack, reports arts editor HELEN MUSA.
- Politics
Berry’s ‘yellow card’ comes with a serious warning
"The most disturbing response came from Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who argued: 'Ministers do not personally administer large and complex directorates.' It seems the government missed the point," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
- Opinion
I’m with Julie: more meaningful job data, please
"In my view, very few employment roles at the AMC are improving prospects of employment on release or contributing to a reduction in reoffending," writes ACT Custodial Inspector REBECCA MINTY.
- Opinion
Why the future depends on our being good space citizens
Today’s space race could turn fatal if we don’t agree on new rules, writes CASSANDRA STEER.
- Arts & Entertainment
Bardem brings the charm, but also the creeps
"In its new form, Cape Fear feels its most intriguing and most clever yet," writes streaming columnist NICK OVERALL of the twist in the latest remake of an old story.
- Arts & Entertainment
Sky’s the limit for Archer’s mighty burst of brass
Blues troubadour and folk musician Archer Shepherd, simply known as Archer, is due to descend on Belconnen Arts Centre in early July with a 28-strong brass band, reports arts editor HELEN MUSA.
News
Australia mourns as Israeli ambassador visits Bondi
As the Jewish community mourns the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack Israel's ambassador has visited the site, as Australia considers tighter gun laws.
Update
‘Guilty’: mushroom cook convicted of triple murder
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson intentionally poisoned four members of her estranged husband's family, a jury has found after a week of deliberations.
News
Coroner finds cop who shot indigenous teen a racist
A coroner has found the death of a 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man in a remote community was avoidable, and the former police officer who shot him was racist.
Update
Few clues to motive in ‘horrifying’ Bondi rampage
NSW Premier Chris Minns says women were targeted in the Bondi Junction mass stabbing but lengthy inquiries to come may never conclusively find a motive.
Update
‘Safe to eat’: scramble to reassure public over virus
Farmers and authorities are preparing to fight a deadly bird flu strain that has reached Australian shores, with a major poultry producer locking down.
Tax changes to be passed after Greens NDIS deal
E-motorbike burnout damages South.Point floor
‘Out of context’: Hanson defends parental leave stance
MPs defend Roberts-Smith’s attendance at war memorial
Up sticks: great escape to the country at record high
US no longer viewed as Australia’s most important ally
Lifestyle
Strength, sensuality and space to be seen
In an industrial pocket of Fyshwick, behind the roller doors and warehouses, the founder of a bold new movement space is reshaping how Canberra views pole dance, striptease and self-expression. This is a sponsored post.
Lifestyle
Ask the expert: what sort of door should I choose?
Over coming months, Handyman's Trading Post owner and manager JOHN RIVERS will discuss practical renovation ideas. In this first column, John discusses one of the most common questions he's asked: what sort of door should I choose?
Sponsored Content
Lifestyle
Hunter & Barrel brings real fire-grill steak to Canberra
Premium steakhouse Hunter & Barrel will open its doors at the Canberra Centre, 20 Scotts Crossing, on May 8, bringing its signature fire-led dining experience to the nation’s capital.
Sponsored Content
News
‘Safe to eat’: scramble to reassure public over virus
Farmers and authorities are preparing to fight a deadly bird flu strain that has reached Australian shores, with a major poultry producer locking down.
Update
Tax changes to be passed after Greens NDIS deal
Labor's contentious tax reforms will be enshrined into law after reaching a deal with the Greens in exchange for a longer inquiry into NDIS cuts.
Police
E-motorbike burnout damages South.Point floor
Three youths allegedly rode e-motorbikes through South.Point shopping centre in Greenway last week, with one rider performing a burnout that damaged the floor.
Politics
‘Out of context’: Hanson defends parental leave stance
The One Nation leader has stepped back from controversial comments on paid parental leave after a closely watched National Press Club speech.
National news
MPs defend Roberts-Smith’s attendance at war memorial
The Australian War Memorial is opening a massive new gallery, but a large shadow will loom over proceedings with an alleged war criminal in attendance.
News
Going ballistic: spider spins a spring-loaded trap
A bizarre new species of spider has been discovered in the rainforests of far north Queensland that spins a unique trap to snare a single species of ant.
News
Up sticks: great escape to the country at record high
For every four people moving from the capital cities to the regions, there are only three going in the other direction, new migration figures show.
Politics
US no longer viewed as Australia’s most important ally
A majority of Australians believe the nation's relationship with the United States has been superseded by ties with another world power, polling suggests.
News
Virgin launches direct Bali flights from Canberra
Canberrans can now fly non-stop to Bali, with Virgin Australia launching its new direct service between Canberra and Denpasar.
Daily Puzzles
Political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN finds more Australians are becoming wary of the economy, multiculturalism and the US in her analysis of the latest 2026 poll by the Lowy Institute.
"The most disturbing response came from Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who argued: 'Ministers do not personally administer large and complex directorates.' It seems the government missed the point," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
Tax retreat may be just the start for Labor
What’s in the US-Iran peace deal?
Hanson gets quite a bit off her chest
Sick budget steals health money to look better
Planned city ‘bombed’ by complacent government
Has political life become absurdly frenetic?
Views
Cartoon / Dose of Dorin
Cartoonist PAUL DORIN takes a sardonic look at the potential bird flu outbreak.
Letters
I’m with Julie: more meaningful job data, please
"In my view, very few employment roles at the AMC are improving prospects of employment on release or contributing to a reduction in reoffending," writes ACT Custodial Inspector REBECCA MINTY.
Opinion
Why the future depends on our being good space citizens
Today’s space race could turn fatal if we don’t agree on new rules, writes CASSANDRA STEER.
Opinion
Cartoon / Dose of Dorin
There's no place like homelessness, says cartoonist PAUL DORIN, ruefully.
Opinion
Naming and shaming slow judges is a lapse of judgment
A Federal Court judge has called out seven colleagues for taking one, two or more years to give their decision. HUGH SELBY says the "naming and shaming was a step too far, an overreach well understood by those familiar with good teamwork."
Opinion
Rewriting history through melody and rhyme
"Through melody and rhyme, America's songwriters have turned defeats into moral victories, soldiers into martyrs, and complex conflicts into simple tales," writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
Opinion
Time to step up and reform smoking policies
In calling for urgent reform, ROSS FITZGERALD says current policy on smoking and vaping is a train crash, with smoking rates in Australia possibly increasing for the first time in decades.
Opinion
Cartoon / Dose of Dorin
Look, it's worth asking the question, though the answer will be painfully short, says cartoonist PAUL DORIN.
Opinion
KEEPING UP THE ACT
Treasurer Spinocchio Steel won't shy away from spending what it takes to make Canberra the most progressive city in the world! It's KEEPING UP THE ACT.
Arts
Middle-raged, Queenie’s ready to sing about it
Middle Raged – A Musical Meltdown, about to premiere at The Playhouse, is the brainchild of two former Canberrans, performer Queenie van de Zandt and writer-producer Tiffany Noack, reports arts editor HELEN MUSA.
Music
The Prophet reaches for vision but lacks cohesion
Arts editor HELEN MUSA reviews Judith Clingan's song cycle, The Prophet - as part of the second half of Wayfarers Australia's concert Musica Vitae - which, based on Kahlil Gibran's famous 1923 work, is "not one of Clingan’s finer works".
Music
Contemporary works reward Chorale’s bold vision
NICK HORN reviews the Canberra Community Chorale's Australian premiere performances of three substantial contemporary choral works, directed by Olivia Swift, that demonstrated both "enjoyment and energy" through its performance.
Arts & Entertainment
Original songs of heartbreak and hope
Here's the latest Arts in the City column from CityNews arts editor HELEN MUSA.
Music
Formidable concert of sacred music
HELEN MUSA reviews Eternal Light, a performance of sacred music by The Resonants vocal ensemble.
Music
A moving and impressive concert
LEN POWER reviews Time and Its Passing, a performance by Canberra Qwire.
Streaming
Bardem brings the charm, but also the creeps
"In its new form, Cape Fear feels its most intriguing and most clever yet," writes streaming columnist NICK OVERALL of the twist in the latest remake of an old story.
Music
Sky’s the limit for Archer’s mighty burst of brass
Blues troubadour and folk musician Archer Shepherd, simply known as Archer, is due to descend on Belconnen Arts Centre in early July with a 28-strong brass band, reports arts editor HELEN MUSA.
Musical Theatre
Major theatre show axed amid cost pressures
The Broadway adaptation of Beetlejuice has been axed midway through an Australian tour with rising costs to blame.
Lifestyle
Cyclamen thrives through winter
Ivy leaf cyclamen thrives through Canberra’s cold winters, producing months of colour before retreating into dormancy when warmer weather arrives, writes gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON.
Pets
Greyhounds seek new homes at Mitchell adoption day
More than 20 retired racing greyhounds will be looking for new homes when a special adoption day is held in Mitchell next week.
Wine
Humble fly stars in a good news story
"The illustration of a black soldier fly on the label is the first indication that a new shiraz from the Four Winds Vineyard in Murrumbateman is not your average drop," writes wine columnist RICHARD CALVER.
Health & Fitness
The surprisingly common condition with a terrifying name
FLAVIE WATERS decodes the science behind the experience with a dramatic name: exploding head syndrome.
Technology
Is your ‘connected’ car spying on you? Well, yes
Cybersecurity expert DENNIS DESMOND explains how to stay safe in an era of 'connected cars' collecting data.
Health & Fitness
What’s with all this nose and ear hair popping out?
CHRISTIAN MORO and CHARLOTTE PHELPS go behind the science to discover why nose and ear hairs become longer and thicker as we age.
Health & Fitness
Here’s why you should keep your headphones clean
Health advice about headphones tends to focus on how loud sounds might affect our hearing but they can also interfere with the ear's natural "self-cleaning" function, writes RINA WONG (FU).
Health & Fitness
What? Sorry, my mind went completely blank
Brain ageing researcher SOPHIE ANDREWS looks at the science behind our minds going blank sometimes.
