Even by 2020 standards, it’s been a big news week.

We started out coming to terms with Daniel Andrews extending Victoria’s stage four lockdown for another couple of weeks, which prompted us to look at, among other things, just how Andrews went from a Labor party machine man to inspiring true love and loathing.

On Tuesday, Australia’s last two remaining China correspondents landed in Sydney, forced to flee as pawns in an escalating stand-off between the two countries. Throughout the week, we took an in-depth look at the ABC — employer of one of those correspondents, Bill Birtles — asking what its future holds, and should look like.

And to cap it all off, there was the NSW National Party fiasco that played out on Thursday and Friday (not to mention all the drama in other state governments).

We’ve looked at it all, and more, from a unique Crikey perspective and have hopefully given you some food for thought. We’d love to hear what you think, let us know by writing to letters@crikey.com.au.

CHARLIE LEWIS and GEORGIA WILKINS 4 minute read

The Victorian premier has inspired love and loathing, but his hardline stance on lockdown could be his political undoing.

CHRISTOPHER WARREN 3 minute read

With the ABC and Australian Financial Review bringing their China correspondents home, Australia is left without any eyes on the ground.

BENJAMIN CLARK 4 minute read

Vale David Graeber, a man who helped us see through the bullshit.

STEPHEN MAYNE 4 minute read

Victoria's balance sheet is in more strife than any other Australian government. There's very little left in the tank.

JANINE PERRETT 3 minute read

Gladys Berejiklian has survived another short-lived coup. Will she be able to stop looking over her shoulder now?

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN and AMBER SCHULTZ 5 minute read

Experts are divided on whether Victoria's 'aggressive suppression' strategy is the best way forward.

GUY RUNDLE 8 minute read

Twenty years ago, Melbourne became the centre of an anti-globalisation struggle, shutting down the World Economic Forum exposing its 'world leaders' as a self-appointed crowd of shonks.

GEORGIA WILKINS 3 minute read

The revolving door between Labor offices and lobbying firms in Queensland just keeps turning.

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

By attempting to pull down one of Australia's most successful governments in the middle of a crisis, the NSW Nationals have again demonstrated that their party has no concern for the national interest.

MICHAEL SAINSBURY 4 minute read

Australia has blundered into a diplomatic stoush with China with no plan and no apparent endgame. Beijing, on the other hand, knows what it's doing...

GINA RUSHTON 5 minute read

Women affected by domestic violence should have access to all the social support they require. Visa status shouldn't get in the way of that.

DAVID HARDAKER 3 minute read

Why Boris loves Tony. The inside story of Abbott’s trade job with the Poms
Inq looks at the connections between Abbott, Johnson and a number of prominent conservative figures and think tanks.