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The digging continues after Christmas

Thank you for all your support. We will be back on January 5. Below are some of the stories that made a difference this year. Enjoy, stay safe, and we’ll see you in 2021 for even deeper digging.

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Our Columnists
(Image: AAP/Darren England)

Second COVID wave risks exposing system built on cocky wire and string

Shutting the borders is easy. Developing sound public policy is much harder.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (Image: The Sunday Telegraph/AAP/Joel Carrett)

The Liberal Party is now little more than the political wing of News Corp

News Corp hasn't just glommed on to a loyal political audience. It is now the voice of the Liberal Party. It’s a reverse takeover.

Rupert Murdoch

Here’s a radical way to fix News Corp — let’s sue it for deceptive conduct

It's an out-there idea, but it's not impossible. And just think of the schadenfreude.

ACCC chair Rod Sims.

Inside the murky world of franchising where dreams are too often shattered

The Retail Food Group is being sued for acting 'unconscionably and engaging in false, misleading and deceptive conduct'.

(Image: Tom Red)

2020 rushed us into a future beset by threats and issues we should have already fixed

In 2020, neoliberalism proved an effective vector for both a deadly virus and climate change. Yet we're intent on resuming business as usual despite the ghastly toll.

Traffic queues at COVID-19 test site at Bondi Beach (Image: AAP/Dean Lewins)

Is NSW moving fast enough to control the northern beaches cluster?

Lock down too hard, and you risk ruining Christmas. Don’t lock down enough, and you also run the risk of ruining Christmas.

People line up for COVID-19 testing in Sydney (Image: AAP /Dean Lewins)

The real test is how fast we can test, but the government keeps dragging its feet

Until the vaccine is deployed, the fastest route to normality is the widespread deployment of rapid testing. Yet the government seemingly has no interest in groundbreaking, Australian-made technology to allow for just that.

Keira Bell speaks to the media outside the UK High Court (Image: EPA/Facundo Arrizabalaga)

What is Victoria’s ban on ‘conversion therapy’ actually trying to achieve?

As the Victorian Parliament considers a ban on various forms of so-called conversion therapy, serious questions arise about the balance between the rights of children and the role played by parents, teachers, religious people and professional groups.

Phil Gaetjens, Scott Morrison and Bridget McKenzie (Images: AAP)

Sports rorts: McKenzie, Morrison, Gaetjens and the questions left behind

As Crikey has reconstructed the sports rorts affair, there are still some key voices missing. Here are the questions that remain.

Site of the demolished Corkman Pub (Image Tracey Nearmy/AAP)

After animal acts and Labor cowardice, the Corkman pub destroyers finally face jail

It was a piece of rare good luck in a year of misery — but the Corkman wreckers facing justice won't bring back what's gone, and it won't expunge Labor's cowardice.

Juukan Gorge rock shelters in 2015 (Image: AAP/PKKP and PKKP Aboriginal Corporation)

The desecration of Juukan Gorge lays bare the ugly truth about our settler logic

By focusing on the particulars of Juukan Gorge and Rio Tinto, rather than the big issues at play, we're looking to apply a sticking plaster when serious suturing is required.

US President Donald Trump (Image: AP/Alex Brandon)

Trump’s odyssey is destined to continue, but history tells us it won’t end well

As a leader with an insatiable thirst for power, attention and money, Trump will not go quietly. But he's merely treading a well-worn path of populists before him.

Google Australia and New Zealand managing director Melanie Silva (Image: Google)

Google code pushback raises prospect of a local pullout and global deal

Is Google planning to pull out of the Australian market? It's not as unlikely as it may seem.

Disney+ (Image: Supplied)

How to hurt Murdoch: boycott Mickey Mouse, Marvel and all things Disney

Kevin Rudd's call to shun the REA Group wouldn't raise a blip on Rupert Murdoch's screen. But there'd be massive shock waves if Disney went broke.

(Image: Twitter)

Tweet this: it’s time for journalists to listen and learn — and dump aggressive hot takes

The best journalism of 2020 was created by those who combined social media nous and wanting to inform — not berate — their audience.