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Featured Opinion

Without a Bondi royal commission the nation is imperilled

This country, if it is to continue to be what we thought it was, must ask itself – and answer truthfully – some very hard questions about this lightly sleeping evil.

Fix the electricity system in 2026 by returning to first principles

Electricity is not a policy construct. It is physics – and the physics have not changed since Michael Faraday and the steam engine, writes Stephen Anthony.

Australia must learn from the UAE’s zero tolerance for extremism

As the government develops its response to Islamist terrorism, it should look closely at countries that have already confronted and contained it.

Former MP

Alan Tudge

Albanese’s Bondi shooting royal commission excuses are implausible

The reasons put forward by the government for rejecting such an inquiry are the same they used with COVID-19. It all reeks of political protection, writes Phillip Coorey.

Political editor

Phillip Coorey

I survived Bondi. Now a royal commission is critical

The prime minister has spoken often about social cohesion and national unity. This is the moment for leadership to match rhetoric, writes Arsen Ostrovsky.

If Jews flee in fear, none of us will feel safe

Like Middle-earth after the elves depart, Australia would still function, still thrive in many ways. But we would be poorer in spirit, narrower in memory, and less luminous.

Tech leader

Keith Budge

As leaders of universities, we demand an antisemitism royal commission

The call for a royal commission made by former chief justice of the High Court of Australia, Robert French, is not only reasonable, but necessary.

and Amit Chakma

Contributor

Albanese has no moral authority – he must call antisemitism royal commission

The belated admissions and half-hearted apologies for not doing more by the prime minister and other senior ministers are not nearly enough.

Editorial

The AFR View
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A fifth of respondents to a Reuters Institute survey last year said they thought journalists used generative AI to present stories.

AI podcasters are here, but, please, I’m a real person

Computer-generated voices have replicated the calm, smooth manner in which broadcasters are trained to speak, adding to distrust of media.

Yesterday

Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another.

Our reviewer’s best films of 2025

There were enough films to enthuse in a year when the release schedule still wasn’t full due to the knock-on effect of the pandemic and Hollywood strikes.

December 2025

John Candy with Steve Martin in Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

This is what makes a good holiday movie

The protagonist, sexuality and faith of the festive film may be changing, but when done well, it still serves the ultimate fantasy.

The Sydney Opera House lit up with a menorah for Hanukkah.

Neutrality is not an option after Bondi

From the events of October 7, 2023 to the recent Bondi shootings, the contempt for Jewish anxiety, particularly in progressive circles, has been the most painful.

Prime Minister Hawke said it was time to end the tax system tinkering and committed a returned government to seeking consensus on a comprehensive tax reform package.

Stop tinkering, start serious tax reform in 2026

If the PM and treasurer want to be remembered for leading Australia’s next reforming government, their New Year’s resolutions should include tackling tax reform.

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Raphael Lamm and Mark Landau tipped a stock that went for a big run last year, and are hoping to repeat the dose.

Top fundies reveal 17 stock picks and the big trends to watch in 2026

Investors are likely to take a more nuanced approach towards AI-oriented stocks in the year ahead, while some have an eye on defensive sectors such as energy and health.

Rose Byrne in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.

Rose Byrne’s Oscar hopes could be cruelled by ‘difficult women’ curse

The Australian has been hailed for one of the year’s best screen performances, but history suggests Academy Award voters have a tough time with tetchy female leads.

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson look like they’re enjoying themselves as Neil Diamond tribute act Lightning and Thunder.

Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson lift corny Neil Diamond tribute

The charisma of the two stars adds something special to “Song Sung Blue”, while “The Choral” makes some thoughtful music as it tackles the futility of war.

Leah Weckert, Sukhinder Singh-Cassidy, and Nuno Matos have different ways of tackling stress.

Start early, switch off devices: How to manage stress like a CEO

Exercise is the key, but Australia’s corporate leaders have a raft of other tips, tricks and hobbies to help them hold it together.

In Dying for Sex, Michelle Williams plays a woman who, on discovering she has terminal cancer, pursues sexual adventure.

The best shows to binge over the summer break

A homage to music festivals gone by, a smart FBI drama and a dying woman on a mission to have interesting sex are among the hidden gems worth seeing.

Can you beat our experts’ 21 predictions for 2026?

Financial Review writers share their predictions for the new year – from artificial intelligence and interest rate rises to Donald Trump’s peace prize chances.

President Donald Trump appears to be napping during a Cabinet meeting in early December.

Ignore Trump, sleeping more is not a sign of weakness

Tireless energy and dynamism has been championed by Donald Trump and Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi.

Aussie batting is ordinary, dependent on Steve Smith and Travis Head.

England’s win proves Australia’s batsmen are ordinary

England’s victory in the fourth Test only goes to show what might have been had the tourists thoroughly prepared for this series.

For our PM to claim this sort of Fitzgerald style of Royal Commission is not needed now in Australia is, to quote Josh Frydenberg, complete bullshit.

Politics in 2026 the tale of a nation divided by richer and poorer

The main source of instability next year will be the wealthy getting wealthier and the less well-off drifting to the minor parties.

for Australia to succeed long-term, it needs citizens who are bound by more than just a shared economy—they must be bound by shared values.

As a migrant, Bondi shows why citizenship must be an earned privilege

To ensure every citizen has a stake in our future, Australia should consider introducing one year of compulsory national service.

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The US sharemarket has had a big year.

Five reasons to be optimistic about the 2026 US economy

It’s been a turbulent year for the US economy thanks to Donald Trump’s tariffs, a cost of living crisis and labour shortages. But investors should take heart.

We finally cut through the noise, paying for it in blood and the desecration of a national icon.

After Bondi, we all must shatter Australia’s antisemitism silence

I’m withdrawing my energy from those who find my perspective too uncomfortable. From people who spread conspiracy and blood libel that’s turned Australia toxic.

Sunday’s vigil “showed the true strength of our community”, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Michele Goldman said.

The reality of antisemitism is London children doing lockdown drills

When parents are watching their darlings take part in nativity productions and carol concerts, at Jewish schools children are rehearsing for terror attacks.

Pope Leo XIV, center, cheers with Britain’s King Charles III in the St. Damasus Courtyard at the Vatican after a state visit and pray with him in the Sistine Chapel, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Blood may be thicker than water between Christians this Christmas

The King and the Pope meeting in Rome may it be a sign that these two great traditions will always remember their belonging together in the one body of Christ.

The reality is that Islamic State was never defeated. The ideology that informs lone actor, IS-inspired terrorism, remains readily accessible online.

Security response to Bondi terror must be evidence-based

Claiming simple solutions or explanations for an inherently complex phenomenon ignores decades of lessons about how to effectively respond to these crises.