Why policing alone won’t stop political violence
As threats against politicians rise, KRISTINA MURPHY argues that restoring trust in government could be as important as stronger security in preventing political extremism.
- Politics
- Politics
Australia’s political past is far from peaceful
The attack on independent MP Helen Haines has shocked Australia, but political violence is hardly new. JOSHUA BLACK and FRANK BONGIORNO examine its troubling history and what it means for democracy today.
- Digital Edition
Digital edition October 22
"Some folks never learn to read the room… they hear someone’s pain that reflects their experience and say to the woman weeping at her miscarriage, 'that’s nothing, I had six of them'," writes Kindness columnist ANTONIO DI DIO.
- Politics
The bank vault is empty, but Labor’s still spending
"The ACT bank account is not just empty, but in the red to the tune of billions because of bad policy and reckless spending. But there's no sense the government is changing its modus operandi." JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED shake their heads.
- News
Susan thrills to the dark mysteries of the universe
It's the unanswered questions of the universe that inspire prize-winning ANU physicist Susan Scott. She tells reporter DHWANI PATHAK she hopes her career will inspire more young women to pursue science.
- Politics
Independents embarrass Labor on human rights
"The 40 per cent of ACT voters who put David Pocock as their first preference at the last election should be feeling very proud of his performance," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
- Arts & Entertainment
Performers plan to ‘shake it up’ for Parkinson’s
A pair of enterprising musicians is taking up the baton for Parkinson’s research in a show they say will “shake it up”. And From a Diamond to a King is coming to Canberra, reports artys editor HELEN MUSA.
- Arts & Entertainment
Local composer scores a monumental movie moment
By arts editor Helen Musa In a coup for the ANU Film Group, Monument, directed by Bohemian Rhapsody and X-Men...
- Politics
Shoebridge and his defiant senator at loggerheads
Greens leader David Shoebridge faces a growing party crisis after Jordon Steele-John publicly disputed claims he had agreed to take leave amid an investigation into allegations against him, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
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
ACT seeks permanent Anzac Day holiday rules
The ACT government will introduce legislation in the Legislative Assembly today (October 21) to guarantee a public holiday on Anzac Day, with an additional Monday holiday whenever April 25 falls on a weekend.
Assembly passes faster housing approval laws
Silent, staring: alleged MP attacker appears in court
‘Shady’ Labor election grants under inquiry spotlight
Scrutiny on social media for fanning political violence
Gagging, co-ordinated attacks: reality for female MPs
Greens seek six more hours of pokies closures
Lifestyle
Farrer residents bring the community together
Bargains, homemade treats and community spirit are on the menu as Goodwin Village Farrer residents prepare for their annual Market Day on October 24. This is a sponsored post.
Sponsored Content
Lifestyle
Frost-hardy plants for Canberra, door-delivered
Looking for frost-hardy plants in Canberra? Explore hedges, native plants and trees suited to local gardens, with delivery from Nursery Near Me in this sponsored post.
Sponsored Content
Lifestyle
Everyone wants a modular lounge, but do they work?
Discover whether modular lounges suit Canberra homes, what to measure before buying and how Early Settler helps you choose the right configuration. This is a sponsored post.
Sponsored Content
News
ACT seeks permanent Anzac Day holiday rules
The ACT government will introduce legislation in the Legislative Assembly today (October 21) to guarantee a public holiday on Anzac Day, with an additional Monday holiday whenever April 25 falls on a weekend.
News
Assembly passes faster housing approval laws
The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed changes to planning laws aimed at speeding up housing approvals and making it easier to build additional homes on existing residential blocks.
Update
Silent, staring: alleged MP attacker appears in court
The social media accounts of a man accused of running down federal MP Helen Haines with a four-wheel drive vehicle will be probed for potential motives.
Politics
‘Shady’ Labor election grants under inquiry spotlight
The central question for a probe into a closed-shop grants round is who made the calls on $560 million of taxpayer funding for Labor election promises.
Politics
Scrutiny on social media for fanning political violence
As parliamentarians grapple with a violent attack on their colleague Helen Haines, an inquiry will hear how social media is driving Australians to extremism.
Politics
Gagging, co-ordinated attacks: reality for female MPs
After being targeted with vile imagery, slurs and a co-ordinated letterbox drop, a political candidate says she will not run for parliament again.
Politics
Greens seek six more hours of pokies closures
The ACT Greens are pushing to extend overnight poker machine closures by an additional six hours a week, challenging the ACT government's decision to scale back its original gambling reform commitment.
Sports news
‘Less stress’: new owners, new era for Canberra United
Michelle Heyman says Canberra United have never been better placed to return to their trophy-winning ways after new owners rescued the A-League Women club.
Politics
MPs to get security brief after life-threatening attack
Security services will brief politicians after independent MP Helen Haines suffered a life-threatening alleged attack outside her electorate office.
Daily Puzzles
As threats against politicians rise, KRISTINA MURPHY argues that restoring trust in government could be as important as stronger security in preventing political extremism.
The attack on independent MP Helen Haines has shocked Australia, but political violence is hardly new. JOSHUA BLACK and FRANK BONGIORNO examine its troubling history and what it means for democracy today.
The bank vault is empty, but Labor’s still spending
Independents embarrass Labor on human rights
Shoebridge and his defiant senator at loggerheads
Now is the hour for the Coalition to embrace AI
Price rapid buses before laying more light rail
Hanson’s Albo-rithm dresses up cruelty as commentary
Views
‘I have the Invisible Man as my local member’
Letter writer and new Mawson resident DAVID ROBERTSON has written three times to his local MP David Smith after being "badly burned by the housing market’s budget reaction". But to no replies from the Member for Bean.
Opinion
Give the little guys a better go at building houses
Canberra needs more homes and a government that stops getting in the way, says Canberra Liberals Leader MARK PARTON.
Opinion
Hold the outrage and look what’s on the scales of justice
"Those who want to froth about the inadequacy of this sentence would do well to note that there is no rehabilitation in our ACT prison system. That is the fault of the current ACT Government," writes legal affairs columnist HUGH SELBY.
Opinion
A voice against voluntary assisted feudalism
"Jim asks his acolytes to swap their livery for Nick Cave T-shirts and their rung on the ladder to be shared by those with fewer opportunities." writes Kindness columnist ANTONIO DI DIO.
Opinion
The legislative fibre to keep going through the motions
"Once infrequent, there are now more motions passing through the ACT Legislative Assembly than through the portaloos at the Multicultural Festival," writes SHUSH CAPITAL in this week's KEEPING UP THE ACT.
Opinion
KEEPING UP THE ACT
Here's a new episode of KEEPING UP THE ACT's travel show Getting Away With It. This time your favourite host reports from his latest junket to the UK...
Letters
Palestinian plight is the fault of their own leaders
It’s Palestinian leaders who have refused Israel’s various generous offers of statehood and other peace-building initiatives, and who constantly commit or promote terrorism against Israel," says letter writer ALAN SHROOT.
Opinion
Cartoon / Dose of Dorin
Lowering the cost of living doesn't come cheap, says cartoonist PAUL DORIN.
Opinion
Justice delayed: how to speed up slow judges
"The selection of our judiciary is quaint. The community might reasonably expect that applicants demonstrate a capacity to write a decision prior to appointment. That doesn’t happen." HUGH SELBY has some ideas to speed up slow judgments.
Arts
Mudgee shows how sculpture can transform a town
Arts editor HELEN MUSA visits Mudgee's flourishing Sculptures in the Garden festival and asks whether Queanbeyan or Bungendore could learn from its remarkable success.
Arts & Entertainment
AusArt Day gives Canberra arts a fundraising boost
With more than 350 artists and arts organisations from across the country taking part, Creative Australia’s AusArt Day 2026 takes centre stage tomorrow in a nationwide fundraising initiative designed to help artists raise money.
Music
Performers plan to ‘shake it up’ for Parkinson’s
A pair of enterprising musicians is taking up the baton for Parkinson’s research in a show they say will “shake it up”. And From a Diamond to a King is coming to Canberra, reports artys editor HELEN MUSA.
Film
Local composer scores a monumental movie moment
By arts editor Helen Musa In a coup for the ANU Film Group, Monument, directed…
Arts & Entertainment
Courtney Act takes centre stage on canvas
Courtney Act takes centre stage at the National Portrait Gallery, while Canberra lights up for Japan and film festivals fill the screens, in the latest "Artsweek" column by arts editor HELEN MUSA
Theatre
Canberra’s Greek theatre wins over Perth
Canberra actor, director and producer Michael J Smith, founder of Greek Theatre Now, has made a successful foray into Perth with his production of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King at Kings Park Amphitheatre, writes arts editor HELEN MUSA.
Theatre
Five actors, 39 characters and one wild journey
Five actors will take on 39 characters in a fast-moving production of Mark Brown’s adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days, directed and produced by Honest Puck Theatre’s James Scott, reports arts editor HELEN MUSA.
Dance
Lea’s new work aims to ‘saturate the senses’
As part of both the BOLD and Craft + Design Canberra festivals, Liz Lea will be staging a double bill of dance works themed around design, dance, disability and dissent, titled ALTER, reports arts editor HELEN MUSA.
Music
Cabaret stars turn The Street into Paris
The promise of an afternoon of authentic French cabaret drew an appreciative audience of Francophiles to The Street Theatre only to be transported to the boulevards of Paris, reviews BILL STEPHENS.
Lifestyle
Farrer residents bring the community together
Bargains, homemade treats and community spirit are on the menu as Goodwin Village Farrer residents prepare for their annual Market Day on October 24. This is a sponsored post.
Sponsored Content
Lifestyle
Planning your enclosed patio project on a budget
An underused patio could become an extra living room, home office or entertaining space without a major extension. This sponsored post explores how to make the transformation affordable.
Sponsored Content
Gardening
Frost-hardy plants for Canberra, door-delivered
Looking for frost-hardy plants in Canberra? Explore hedges, native plants and trees suited to local gardens, with delivery from Nursery Near Me in this sponsored post.
Sponsored Content
Fashion
Kylie Jenner dazzles in $70 million diamond Fantasy Bra
Kylie Jenner has dazzled the audience at the Victoria's Secret fashion show by walking the runway wearing a $US50 million bra covered with 4410 diamonds.
Medicine and wellbeing
Why do I keep getting mouth ulcers?
Mouth ulcers can make eating and talking painful, but why do some people keep getting them? Oral health experts explain the common causes, treatments and warning signs that shouldn't be ignored.
Gardening
The daisy that thrives in sunny spots
Canberra’s native cut leaf daisy is a hardy, slow-growing ground cover that thrives in sunny, well-drained spots, says gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON.
Lifestyle
Everyone wants a modular lounge, but do they work?
Discover whether modular lounges suit Canberra homes, what to measure before buying and how Early Settler helps you choose the right configuration. This is a sponsored post.
Sponsored Content
Wine
The pleasure of a birthday night in
"I’m a great believer in avoiding disappointment by cooking what you want in the way you want it from fresh-bought ingredients; no more for me the admonition, I could have cooked this better at home," says wine writer RICHARD CALVER.
