If anything was going to hurt Andrew Barr's government at the election it was the cost of bungles and stuff-ups in its previous term. And it's not surprising one of the first orders of business is a move to apply more scrutiny on efficiency in the public service "in some areas where we feel we have been let down". Lucy Bladen looks at the new Barr ministry - sans Greens - and what it means.

If you're still absorbing Donald Trump's return to the White House, Steve Evans has some interesting insight on his time working in the US as a foreign correspondent, and what it taught him about rage. And Jenna Price writes why she thinks America chose misogyny.

The Attorney-General's department has admitted the Commonwealth can seek confidentiality clauses when settling workplace claims of sexual assault or harassment if in its interest to do so, despite a government policy of transparency. Dana Daniel reports on what's been described as an "outrageous" loophole.

In happy news for senator David Pocock, he has given notice that he may need to take a leave of absence from the Senate to care for his wife Emma and their new baby. Dana Daniel reports he has alerted the Whips' office that he may need a pair for voting once bub arrives.

And in food news, Sally Pryor asks whether we have reached Peak Braddon with the opening of a Korean-inspired Japanese sandwich - the sando - shop set in a cavernous former auto-repair shop.

We'll finish the working week with a nice sunny day and a top of 24 degrees.

John-Paul Moloney, managing editor