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Opinion | The Armidale Express

Opinion

Ayden Dawkins

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra won with their entry Stefania.

Eurovision is like a bag of Every Flavour Jelly Beans - you really don't know what you're going to get.

Eurovision opened my eyes to the exciting world we live in

This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning till the end of the election.

Morrison needs to pull off a Houdini

A Swift Water Rescue crew makes its way through flood waters on Friday in Laidley, Queensland. Picture: Getty Images

We have to admit that there are actual costs for preparing for this future.

Goodwill and good luck can only get us so far

Nicholas Stuart

As the campaign enters its final week, Anthony Albanese's mission now is to reach out to uncommitted voters. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

It's rare for a government to make the case it should be dismissed as effectively, repeatedly and cogently as this one has.

We're nearing the end of this campaign, at last

Australians want a leader who responds with empathy - and action - after a crisis. It doesn't come naturally to everyone. Picture: AAP

Whatever you think of God, you probably want pastoral leadership from those in charge. You just might not know it.

Is an Australian PM our pastor-in-chief?

Dan Jervis-Bardy

Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce launched the Coalition's election campaign in Brisbane on Sunday. Pictures: AAP

Scott Morrison says his government saved Australia. Will voters reward him for it?

Scott Morrison seeks forgiveness, three more years in power

Daniel Briggs

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifts the English League Cup trophy aloft in February. Picture: AAP

The margins between history and the dustbin of it are ridiculously slim in sport.

Quad goals: is winning really all that matters in sport?

Mark Kenny

Scott Morrison is already leading a minority government with Barnaby Joyce, making government-led scare campaigns over "teal" candidates another hypocritical string to the Liberals' bow. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

The whole reason the "teals" are a thing is because the Liberal Party vacated the centre to court the religious right.

Some independent thought cuts through government's 'teal' spin

Ebony Bennett

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's labelling of the NSW ICAC as a "kangaroo court" has alarmed integrity experts - and voters. Picture: AAP

It is one thing to propose a model for a federal integrity commission that legal experts regards as weak and ineffectual; it is quite another to publicly undermine state anti-corruption bodies.

Scott Morrison's attacks on ICAC have gone too far

Michelle Grattan

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese (left) and Prime Minister Scott Morrison face off during the second leaders' debate. Picture: Getty Images

The Albanese-as-risk claim is about the best attack line the government has, but when the debate is about wages, the government is fighting on Labor's preferred turf.

It's Albanese's to lose, as Morrison looks for some momentum

Comment

Multimedia

Vandals in the Illawarra seat of Cunningham have destroyed United Australia Party corflutes of candidate Benjamin Britton.

Elections are fought on the streets and decided in the polling booths.

Corflute wars: How political ads and vandalism costs votes

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: James Croucher

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Coalition's housing policies, taken together, would have a "marginal" effect on house prices as his new scheme comes under attack.

Unlocking super will have 'marginal' impact on house prices: Morrison

Postal voting deadline looms

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Labor leader Anthony Albanese and Greens leader Adam Bandt appear in TikTok videos ahead of the federal election on May 21. 

If TikTok likes were votes, a Labor backbencher would be prime minister and his party would already have claimed election victory.

Who is winning the Federal Election race on TikTok?

There are 1,437 COVID-19 patients in hospital, with 65 in ICU.

NSW COVID cases drop, hospitalisations rise

Constable Zachary Rolfe has pleaded not guilty to the shooting murder of Kumanjayi Walker.

Video of Kumanjayi shooting shown to jury

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP

The election campaign has hit the home stretch, leaving only five days until polling day.

Live blog: Peter Dutton is 'the biggest threat to national security' says WA Premier

Former prime minister Julia Gillard has gone into bat for Senator Katy Gallagher (inset). Pictures: AAP

Australia's first female PM has written a personal letter endorsing Katy Gallagher, asking Canberrans not risk losing her in the Senate.

'Incredible representative': Gillard intervenes to endorse 'at-risk' Gallagher

How can you safely perform a RAT on your child at home and help them to engage in the process?

Go low, go slow: how to rapid antigen test your kid for COVID as school returns

Working dogs: Regular panelists Sam Pang and Ed Kavalee with quizmaster Tom Gleisner (cente) are back for season 10 of Have You Been Paying Attention?. Photo supplied by Channel 10.

"When you put five funny people in a room with Tom at the helm, no two shows are the same," says Ed Kavalee. That's why Have You Been Paying Attention is about to premiere its 10th season. Read all about it in our TV Guide.

Ed Kavalee pays attention and pips the panel on 'Have You Been Paying Attention?'

Are you ready for back to school? Photo: FILE

As we approach the start of the first school term of the year in NSW, some parents are confused about the rules and expectations surrounding their child's return to school.

Masks, tests and more: Back to school in the Armidale region explained

The diverse individuals who take part in ABC TV's Space 22, to see if creative exercises can help heal invisible wounds, are visibly changed by it. This is a must watch program.

Mental health problems nurtured by art and music in ABC TV's Space 22

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Liberal Party campaign launch on Day 35 of the 2022 federal election campaign. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison says the Coalition "saved the country" through its pandemic response, and has promised to unlock superannuation for first home buyers struggling to enter the property market.

'Just warming up': PM launches campaign with promise to unlock super for home buyers

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

The Labor leader stopped short of committing to a wage rise for public servants, but repeated his promise to "revitalise" the bureaucracy.

Albanese declines to promise higher public service wages

Stuart McKenzie catches an eastern brown snake found under a couch.

Snake-catching professional shares his top tip on how best to avoid eastern brown snakes.

Sofas, scales and playgrounds: The places brown snakes are caught

NSW records 10,954 COVID-19 cases, 19 deaths on May 14, 2022. Picture: File

There are 1,377 COVID-19 patients in hospital, with 59 in ICU.

NSW records more than 9000 COVID cases, four deaths

Royce Gay of Queanbeyan discusses the election in Eden-Monaro. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

It's less than a week until election day and the ultra-marginal seat of Eden-Monaro seems to be pulling further away from its bellwether status.

For whom the bellwether tolls: the mood on the ground in Eden-Monaro

Anthony Albanese wants Australian businesses to diversify and innovate to climb the technological ladder. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

The funds will help Australian businesses to diversify and innovate to climb the technological ladder.

Labor to create $1b fund for manufacturing innovation, diversification

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A government plan would let Australians access a portion of their super for a home deposit.

Super sector, builders split on govt plan

James Merlino says Victoria's school system is challenged because of people positive for the virus.

Vic schools grappling with COVID closures

SUBLIME: Saint Jade Gresham was a crucial element against Geelong on Saturday. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Gresham a key Saints playmaker

Australia's nine attorneys-general have been asked if they want to intervene in Neil Erikson's case.

Nine AGs notified for Erikson appeal

Anthony Albanese at a childcare centre in the WA seat of Hasluck which the opposition hopes to take.

Albanese defends Labor costing release

COST OF FESTIVAL: Preparations for the Tamworth Country Music Festival made over a dozen people homeless, before the historic event was postponed on Friday, according to local homeless services. Photo: file

"It's not the moteliers fault. They've always done what they've done. Right at the moment we have a major issue in the housing sector, full stop."

TCMF 'made people homeless', as new date drives up April motel rates

MAJOR PROMISE: The University of New England could gain a $15 million Centre of Excellence, which would focus on 'agvet' chemical and technology innovation. Photo: file

The centre would focus on agvet chemical and technology innovation.

Federal government commits $15 million to UNE Centre of Excellence ahead of election

The committee of the Armidale Eisteddfod has been working hard in preparation for the 38th annual Armidale Eisteddfod.

Celebration of young talent from the Armidale region

HARD WORK: Little Kindy company director Arzal Arzal said many city-based companies shrank from providing childcare because it is difficult to manage from a distance. Photo: Gareth Gardner

Thousands of children are starting school already behind the pace because of a state's worst shortage of childcare in the New England, according to a new report.

Local kids developmentally vulnerable due to state's worst childcare shortage: report

The Deputy Prime Minister won't be drawn on whether he'll have the numbers to retain the Nationals leadership after the election, as a number of Barnaby Joyce's key allies leave the party room.

Barnaby won't speculate on leadership as allies retire and McCormack looms

Prime Minister Scott Morrison officially launched the Liberals' election campaign on Sunday. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison has made housing a central part of the Liberal Party's official launch.

Liberal Party 'warms up' with final countdown underway

Promises: The Coalition commits to funding a new child care centre in Guyra. Photo: File

Barnaby Joyce has revealed that childcare is so hard to come by in his electorate, even his family have struggled to find a place.

Joyce reveals personal struggle with New England's 'childcare deserts'

Tree dahlias in full bloom on a misty morning. When a big frost, one that reaches as high as these flowers, occurs, they will be reduced to mush, but in the meantime it's great to be able to enjoy them in full flower this year!

Many gardeners around Armidale are anxiously watching the forecasts in the hope the weather will allow their tree dahlias to flower.

Gardening Matters || Anxious wait as Jack Frost arrives

New England travellers warned as floods hit south-east Queensland, again

Evacuation warnings are being sounded as heavy rainfall continues to pound southern Queensland.

Residents flee homes as evacuation sirens sounded

Travelers warned as floods hit south-east Queensland, again

Representatives of the powerful Australian Energy Market Operator will front up at a renewable energy forum this week to discuss the future of green power in the region.

Powerful Australian Energy Market Operator to attend green energy forum

Prime Minister Morrison's mantras of "Can-Do-Capitalism", "Jobs And Growth", and " Jobs, Jobs, Jobs" are insidious, and arrogantly unsustainable.

Can-do-capitalism? No thanks, Sco-Mo

Funding support for local Meals on Wheels: Armidale Uralla Meals on Wheels Management Committee President Simon McMillan, manager Kerryn Williams and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall. Picture: Supplied

The incredible effort of Armidale Uralla Meals on Wheels in feeding the region's vulnerable during the COVID-19 lockdown last year is being repaid by the state government.

Meals on Wheels paid back for feeding Armidale residents in lockdown

ARRESTED: The man was taken to Armidale Police Station and charged in connection to the unit fire. Photo: File

An alleged arsonist will front court later this month after he was charged with setting fire to a unit, causing significant damage.