Crikey’s week started with us writing about the recession and big tech, and ended with us writing about, er, the recession and big tech. Of course, there was a good reason for such symmetry: the recession arrived (to the surprise of no one) while Facebook threatened to pull out of the news-spreading business altogether (suddenly, my ear worm is playing Frank Sinatra).

In between there were plenty of other things to cover, including sexual harassment, political prisoners and the remarkable, gut-churning case of the Queensland copper who hacked the police computer system to help his mate find his ex-wife. And then there’s Tony Abbott. Funny how some people can’t stop making the news.

Meanwhile our new columnists Janine Perrett and Madonna King continue to hit the mark, with the former warning us about the rise of a new generation of stock market punters, and the latter issuing a timely reminder about the importance of human connection in these COVID times.

Two other things not to lose: our freedom of speech and our willingness to engage in frank debate. The virus is locking down enough; we don’t need to throw our minds into the bargain.

BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

The effects of the early '90s recession dragged on for many years. This time around, policymakers have responded much more quickly, but can they prevent the same long-term harm?

JASON MURPHY 4 minute read

It seems we're all in agreement that government spending is needed to help prop up the economy during the pandemic. But how long will that attitude last?

AMBER SCHULTZ 3 minute read

We tale a look at some of the Australian political prisoners currently in jail overseas.

MICHAEL BRADLEY 4 minute read

It's supposed to be the central concern of the criminal justice system to protect people from criminals, not to facilitate their wrongdoing.

GEORGIA WILKINS 3 minute read

QBE has joined a long list of companies using 'independent' external investigators to assure investors and the public they take matters like harassment seriously.

JANINE PERRETT 4 minute read

New investors have been making risky gambles while lockdowns continue to bite — and ASIC is concerned.

MADONNA KING 4 minute read

Suspicion and lack of trust risks causing as many problems as the pandemic. We need to find new ways to connect.

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

When police arrest a pregnant woman in her own home for a Facebook post suggesting a protest, we should be deeply worried about the erosion of our rights. Except, we're not.