menu_open Columnists

Brisbane Times

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

This value predicts future quality of life. In Australia, it’s tanking

This value predicts future quality of life. In Australia, it’s tanking

More than 600 scientists are sounding the alarm that our standard of living is under threat.

latest 0

Brisbane Times

Angus Dalton

I’m wealthy, but still worry about going broke. How do I get over it?

I’m wealthy, but still worry about going broke. How do I get over it?

There isn’t a specific dollar figure that will magically cure your financial anxiety, but there are some other things you can try.

latest 10

Brisbane Times

Paridhi Jain

I thought I’d found a place to be my true self. That illusion has been suddenly ripped away

I thought I’d found a place to be my true self. That illusion has been suddenly ripped away

When I was eight, I moved to a picture-perfect town but I soon realised that something profound was missing. Something I have been desperate to find...

latest 4

Brisbane Times

Liam Heitmann-Ryce-Lemercier

Draft gun could be stolen from under the Lions’ noses; future star sticks with Melbourne

Draft gun could be stolen from under the Lions’ noses; future star sticks with Melbourne

A star of the future has agreed to a new two-year contract as he blossoms alongside Jacob van Rooyen in Steven King’s forward line.

latest 10

Brisbane Times

Marc McGowan

Sally McManus is a campaign genius. She’d better not be retiring

Sally McManus is a campaign genius. She’d better not be retiring

She’s been standing up for the powerless for decades. What next for the workers’ friend?

latest 10

Brisbane Times

Jenna Price

Real estate agent’s viral posts show our property market angst

Real estate agent’s viral posts show our property market angst

An inner west Sydney auctioneer has become an overnight celebrity after his weekend social media post captured the property market zeitgeist.

latest 10

Brisbane Times

Elizabeth Knight

Netanyahu lands in Washington to tackle Trump with one thing on both of their minds

Netanyahu lands in Washington to tackle Trump with one thing on both of their minds

The war in Iran turns five months old on the day the two leaders reunite at the White House. The US president is signalling fresh interest in a peace...

latest 10

Brisbane Times

Michael Koziol

How the world’s $2.6 quadrillion wealth bomb could explode

How the world’s $2.6 quadrillion wealth bomb could explode

Global wealth is booming but alarm bells are starting to ring louder.

latest 10

Brisbane Times

Stephen Bartholomeusz

Dumb and dumber: Trump and Putin are both losing wars to smaller enemies

Dumb and dumber: Trump and Putin are both losing wars to smaller enemies

The Russians lack men and the US lacks munitions, to continue wars their leaders chose to start, unprovoked.

latest 10

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

Sally McManus shook up the union movement. The question now is what she leaves behind

Sally McManus shook up the union movement. The question now is what she leaves behind

She was arguably the most politically effective union leader in a generation, securing a historic sweep of workplace reforms. Yet Sally McManus leaves...

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Rob Harris

I lied about my kids’ screen time. But I don’t feel guilty about it

I lied about my kids’ screen time. But I don’t feel guilty about it

Only one in four kids meet the screen guidelines. Let’s be honest, it’s probably less than that.

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Sarah Berry

Alan Joyce thinks it could’ve been worse

Alan Joyce thinks it could’ve been worse

The former Qantas boss became a lightning rod for post-COVID public anger at the airline sector. Is that reputation fair?

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Kishor Napier-Raman

So much for being too old and too slow. Here’s how the Pies can make the top four

So much for being too old and too slow. Here’s how the Pies can make the top four

While Fremantle have all but secured top spot, the remaining nine positions in the new top-10 finals format are up or grabs.

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Jon Pierik

Trump is making America’s money problem worse

Trump is making America’s money problem worse

America’s finances are already parlous, and they are deteriorating. Donald Trump’s ever-changing trade war is not helping matters.

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Stephen Bartholomeusz

I cried when the council cut down my tree. I did not see that coming

I cried when the council cut down my tree. I did not see that coming

That tree witnessed 27 years of my life – the comings and goings, the baby, the teenager and every version since.

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Melissa Hoyer

Three clubs, two codes and two false starts in 17 months. You can’t accuse Lomax of not having a crack

Three clubs, two codes and two false starts in 17 months. You can’t accuse Lomax of not having a crack

Zac Lomax has expressed his loyalty to Parramatta, the Western Force, Australian rugby and the PNG Chiefs since February 2025, all while Rugby360 and...

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Malcolm Knox

My neighbours warned me not to write about my suburb. They don’t want it ruined

My neighbours warned me not to write about my suburb. They don’t want it ruined

Caring for the land isn’t an abstract idea in this little-known Brisbane suburb – it’s just what people do.

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Sarah Roberts

The RBA faces a dilemma, but more rate hikes aren’t the solution

The RBA faces a dilemma, but more rate hikes aren’t the solution

Markets think another rate rise this year is close to a sure thing. But given the economy’s already slowing, the RBA should sit on its hands for a...

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Clancy Yeates

Why Albanese barely mentions Libs, but speaks his true enemy’s name

Why Albanese barely mentions Libs, but speaks his true enemy’s name

It is clear that Labor has decided not to ignore the threat of One Nation – and it will involve significant changes to address voters’ genuine...

yesterday 10

Brisbane Times

Sean Kelly

Which city is better, Sydney or Melbourne? I’m in a unique position to decide

Which city is better, Sydney or Melbourne? I’m in a unique position to decide

A new job is drawing me from Sydney for Melbourne. As this masthead’s outgoing fashion editor, I’ve long relished much about both cities.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Damien Woolnough

How about the 34-year-old who out-scored Essendon on Saturday

How about the 34-year-old who out-scored Essendon on Saturday

Jack Gunston’s performance was a timely reminder of the increased presence and influence of older players in the competition in the same week he and...

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Peter Ryan

Trump is back announcing a 2028 presidential bid. It’s dangerous to assume he’s joking

Trump is back announcing a 2028 presidential bid. It’s dangerous to assume he’s joking

We know from Joe Biden’s late withdrawal in 2024 just how damaging it can be when a figurehead of the party won’t let go of power.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Cory Alpert

No sex, please – we’re Gen Z. But this zero-eros movie neuters Homer’s Odyssey

No sex, please – we’re Gen Z. But this zero-eros movie neuters Homer’s Odyssey

The poem’s famous sex scenes have been excised, sapping erotic power from the female characters. Odysseus’ moral ambiguity is gone, too.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Maureen Dowd

The next unlikely victim of the Iran crisis? Fast fashion

The next unlikely victim of the Iran crisis? Fast fashion

You might think that missiles flying over the Strait of Hormuz are a world away from your closet. You’d be wrong.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

David Fickling

This Christian church has banned women elders. It’s a dangerous move

This Christian church has banned women elders. It’s a dangerous move

Presbyterian leaders in NSW and the ACT say the women in their fold are equal, but not as equal – it seems – as the men.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Kylie Maddox Pidgeon

No sex, please – we’re Gen Z. But this zero-eros movie neuters Homer’s Odyssey

No sex, please – we’re Gen Z. But this zero-eros movie neuters Homer’s Odyssey

The poem’s famous sex scenes have been excised, sapping erotic power from the female characters. Odysseus’ moral ambiguity is gone, too.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Maureen Dowd

AI-powered ‘vibe-coding’ is filling our app stores with garbage

AI-powered ‘vibe-coding’ is filling our app stores with garbage

In the first half of 2026, there were as many new apps launched onto the App Store as there were in the entirety of 2025. Many are AI-made slop.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Tim Biggs

This revolutionary rule change would kick-start global domination for NRL

This revolutionary rule change would kick-start global domination for NRL

Peter V’landys has never shied away from making big calls. So here is my suggestion to help rugby league capitalise on its $5.3b TV windfall and...

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Roy Masters

A place where we can just be ourselves

A place where we can just be ourselves

Sometimes we are most ourselves when we don’t have a role and nothing is expected of us.

previous day 5

Brisbane Times

John Chesterman

Albanese’s iron grip has delivered unity, but the harder battle lies ahead

Albanese’s iron grip has delivered unity, but the harder battle lies ahead

How can a governing party maintain discipline without losing the ability to listen, debate and persuade? It is a question Labor has been grappling...

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Rob Harris

No Goodes: Booing is on the Crows to arrest

No Goodes: Booing is on the Crows to arrest

One would hope the Isaac Quaynor saga doesn’t stretch into the finals if Adelaide meet Collingwood, or into next year. Action – if only in the...

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

My sneaky $66 fee shows what credit card perks really cost us

My sneaky $66 fee shows what credit card perks really cost us

Right now, companies can slug consumers with a payment surcharge on credit or debit cards, but it’s a practice that will soon come to an end.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Victoria Devine

Are you using the latest slang or are you just reheating nachos?

Are you using the latest slang or are you just reheating nachos?

Word nerds have gathered for an EOFY overview, gauging the latest in our language.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

David Astle

The return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece could be a ‘game changer’ for all of us

The return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece could be a ‘game changer’ for all of us

Andy Burnham, the new UK prime minister, has said repeatedly that he thinks the Marbles should be returned. This is a breakthrough.

previous day 30

Brisbane Times

Peter Fitzsimons

The best way to spend your tax refund, no matter the amount

The best way to spend your tax refund, no matter the amount

If you plan to add your tax return to your savings, there are some better options – whether it’s hundreds or thousands of dollars.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Dominic Powell

Forget crypto: Single motherhood is the best get-rich-quick scheme, according to Hanson

Forget crypto: Single motherhood is the best get-rich-quick scheme, according to Hanson

Hanson told a podcast that custodial parents “profit handsomely” from child support. There is no evidence for this.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Jacqueline Maley

Benji Marshall has total control at the Tigers. The club thinks that needs to change

Benji Marshall has total control at the Tigers. The club thinks that needs to change

Marshall’s agent brokered a deal that gave his client more power than almost any coach in the NRL. The drama with Adam Doueihi has laid bare the...

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Danny Weidler

Why the Pauline paradox nobbles the prospect of real change

Why the Pauline paradox nobbles the prospect of real change

Pauline Hanson’s clumsy attacks on multiculturalism and immigration diminish our ability to seriously deal with an underlying anxiety that has...

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Parnell Palme McGuinness

Should I get my super as a $1.7m lump sum, or a yearly pension?

Should I get my super as a $1.7m lump sum, or a yearly pension?

The lump sum versus pension debate can get more complicated when defined benefit schemes start to enter the mix.

previous day 10

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

‘Who the hell wrote that?’: Trump bombs at correspondents dinner with unfunny, tasteless speech

‘Who the hell wrote that?’: Trump bombs at correspondents dinner with unfunny, tasteless speech

The evening started with promise, but descended into failed jokes, recycled material and a truly awful attack by the US president on CNN host Kaitlan...

saturday 10

Brisbane Times

Michael Koziol

Old blokes might win stuff, but Australia sideline youth at their peril

Old blokes might win stuff, but Australia sideline youth at their peril

A two-match series against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay seems an odd juncture at which to roll out Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc,...

saturday 20

Brisbane Times

Daniel Brettig

Lani Pallister won Australia’s first gold medal. Her coach’s reaction was curious

Lani Pallister won Australia’s first gold medal. Her coach’s reaction was curious

The Dolphins began their Commonwealth Games campaign in style with six gold medals … and a curious reaction from Lani Pallister’s coach Dean...

saturday 10

Brisbane Times

Tom Decent

Odysseus didn’t rest on his laurels. But like the rest of us, maybe he should have

Odysseus didn’t rest on his laurels. But like the rest of us, maybe he should have

I’d like to suggest we revert to the original, Grecian meaning of this long-misused term. Tell people to rest on their laurels for a bit! Stick it...

saturday 20

Brisbane Times

Julia Baird

Despite everything FIFA threw at it, football really was the winner

Despite everything FIFA threw at it, football really was the winner

The World Cup produced a jarring, compelling mix of the very best and the very worst that sport has to offer. But somehow, the game emerged...

saturday 20

Brisbane Times

Malcolm Knox

I’m just a creature of habit. Sometimes that creature is a gorilla

I’m just a creature of habit. Sometimes that creature is a gorilla

Embrace your bad habits. It may be all we have left.

saturday 20

Brisbane Times

Richard Glover

Did V’landys really have the Queen’s mobile number? I am … unconvinced

Did V’landys really have the Queen’s mobile number? I am … unconvinced

Our eyebrows were raised when the NRL and Racing NSW supremo told the Daily Telegraph he had the late Queen Elizabeth’s contact in his phone. We did...

saturday 20

Brisbane Times

Peter Fitzsimons

Melbourne treated Simon Goodwin with disrespect. Now his coaching ambitions are alive

Melbourne treated Simon Goodwin with disrespect. Now his coaching ambitions are alive

The Demons’ only living premiership coach, Goodwin’s football future looms as fascinating given the choice he has made.

saturday 20

Brisbane Times

Caroline Wilson

Trump will declare a ‘national emergency’ before midterms: Bannon

Trump will declare a ‘national emergency’ before midterms: Bannon

Steve Bannon still has the ear of the US president. But he has his eyes on Australian politics, and has praise for the PM and advice for Pauline...

saturday 20

Brisbane Times

Peter Hartcher

How to (safely) access the cash locked up in your property

How to (safely) access the cash locked up in your property

No matter why, there are options at every age to get out the equity you might think is locked in your property.

saturday 10

Brisbane Times

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon

Why are so many retirees still spending like it’s 1991?

Why are so many retirees still spending like it’s 1991?

The success of super has created a new retirement problem we don’t discuss enough – people don’t know how to manage their money so they can...

saturday 20

Brisbane Times

Bec Wilson