This week Crikey had its eyes firmly set on Novak Djokovic. The fight around the tennis star was never going to end well — but could it have been avoided? Michael Bradley thinks it could have been… if only the government was capable of organising even a chook raffle.

Instead the Australian public was treated to yet another stuff-up from a government that spends more time maintaining its image than it does actually governing. How much time and energy was spent attempting to stop the release of embarrassing documents relating to the prime minister’s visit to an RAAF airbase, as reported by our own Cam Wilson? Meanwhile hospitals are being overwhelmed and supermarket shelves sit empty.

Elsewhere this week Madonna King wrote about how an Australian-manufactured rapid antigen test for use by organisations is still awaiting approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, even as Omicron sweeps the nation. And Stephen Mayne examined how the Murdoch family has expanded its radio interests via a separate company chaired by one of its loyalists.

Find those stories, and plenty more, below.

CAM WILSON 3 minute read

This process illustrates how the prime minister's office sought to use the release of information to influence public opinion.

AMBER SCHULTZ 2 minute read

The megachurch is arguing that singing and dancing is allowed as part of its religious services.

STEPHEN MAYNE 5 minute read

Ever so quietly, the Murdoch family has expanded its radio interests via a separate company chaired by one of its loyalists.

CAM WILSON 2 minute read

Names, phone numbers and email addresses have been exposed via a third-party website.

GUY RUNDLE 6 minute read

The Australian Republic Movement has designed the very worst model for a republic, one over which monarchists will rub their hands in glee.

AMY MACKINNON 6 minute read

Kazakhstan has spent decades trying to balance Russia, China and the West. The deployment of 2500 Russian troops to 'restore order' threatens to disrupt that balance.

GUY RUNDLE 2 minute read

What better tribute for the late lyricist Marilyn Bergman than a revamped version of one of her classic songs with some added Aussie PM?