Throughout the election campaign, Labor leader Anthony Albanese did not hesitate to remind us of his humble roots: the housing commissions of rough and tumble western Sydney, raised by a single mother on a disability pension.  Yes, he may have sounded like a broken record, but one could make the argument that if you had such an uplifting story, you’d probably struggle to keep it to yourself. But in the current attention economy, the fight to win over the imagination of voters

Despite a new global review showing e-cigarettes are dangerous and addictive, experts say calls to ban them are misguided and could backfire. The major review by the Australian National University , released last month, found that the use of e-cigarettes or vapes was rapidly increasing in Australian youth, causing “addiction in a new generation of users”. Vaping and e-cigarette use was reportedly highest among young people aged 18-24, with studies showing users are three time

ACTION FILM REVIEW Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Run time:  2h 6mins Who:  Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor Where, when:  In cinemas now Rating:  4/5 stars Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most recent movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, is for both diehard fans of the franchise, and movie-goers looking for an enjoyable two hours of action. It combines classic MCU with throwback superhero sequel arcs and 80s horr

The use of psychedelic drugs to treat mental health issues should be decriminalised in Australia urgently, an advocate says. Australian Psychedelic Society vice-president Antanika Hoberg said her experience with psychedelic drugs were “lifesaving and lifechanging” to treat her complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-PTSD). “I should not be made to feel like a criminal, or be scared that my family was going to be taken away, because I needed to treat myself when other treat

Hundreds of jobs could be lost in the already struggling homelessness services sector, after the federal budget revealed a plan for major pay cuts in the community services and crisis accomodation sectors. Council to Homeless Persons policy and advocacy officer Damien Patterson said this could have a “deeply concerning” impact for homeless services in Victoria. “This is hundreds of staff who will be cut from homelessness services. It’s not a huge industry, so hundreds of s

A parent goes into a crowded fast-food restaurant with their child. The waiting time is long and the child gets bored. They keep nagging and asking when the food is coming out. The parent, busy with checking text messages on their phone, gives the child an iPad and tells them to watch some YouTube videos, kill the time and be quiet. For many of us, this is an everyday scene. Digital took over parenting Children’s nervous systems are more sensitive to the impacts of electrom

Australians suffering from Lyme disease say decriminalising cannabis in Australia would offer safer relief for their symptoms than the common alternatives. Lyme Australia: Awareness & Recognition co-founder Karen Smith said easier access to cannabis could help to change the community’s perception of the drug as an alternative and encourage patients to be more open to safer pain relief. She said she acquired the disease in Queensland 2003, and had experienced years of pain and

Genevieve Nardella and Aditi Kutty lift the skirts on the 2022 Met Gala to reveal the fashion that stole the show.

2020. It’s 2 am. Instead of being sound asleep because I have an 8am meeting the next day (at home, of course), I’ve spent the last few hours scrolling endlessly for the latest anecdotal COVID-19 updates on the COVID-19 Megathread of r/Melbourne, a subreddit dedicated to Melburnians. Many people are currently online on the same subreddit. This collective phenomenon, also known as “doomscrolling,” has been popularised since the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 202

FILM REVIEW The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent People: Nicolas Cage, Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish Where: In cinemas now Nicolas Cage has been in the film industry so long that audiences kind of take him for granted. Even in a time when one-off movies have given way to billion-dollar franchises and cinematic universes, he’s stuck around far longer than many stars who started working in Hollywood around the same time he did. In the current cinematic landscape, it’s diff

Matt Bax and Matt Packham in action. All pictures by Alexander Nimmo BAR REVIEW Sabbatico (Bar Americano) Where: 20 Presgrave Place, Melbourne CBD When: Until end of the year One of Melbourne’s best-loved “hidden” bars has had a playful revamp. Nestled in Presgrave Place off Little Collins Street, the tiny Bar Americano has been a staple of Melbourne nightlife for some time. Starting from April 14 and running to the end of the year, owner Matt Bax and bartender Matty Packh

Australia’s two major political parties are offering no solutions to Australia’s affordable housing crisis even with an election just three weeks away, according to a leading social justice organisation. Mercy Foundation CEO Sue Mowbray said Australia had come under global scrutiny for its lack of affordable housing for disadvantaged groups. “Australia is a wealthy country, a lucky country; we shouldn’t be having this conversation,” she said. The Mercy Foundation last month a