Welcome to the best of Crikey for the week,

What a fitting final sitting week of parliament for a year marred by incompetence, instability and lack of focus in Canberra.

Bernard Keane covered the encryption bill all week, looking at how it’s affected our tech industry, what it means for those trying to harm Australians and Labor’s role in the whole mess.

We’ve also had a few cracks at the biggest crime story of the year: Lawyer X and what it reveals about the culture of our police forces.

Lastly, it’s been a big few days for media news. Yes, there have been many redundancies, but so, too, glimmers of hope with the establishment of Judith Nielson’s journalism centre in Sydney, and Emily Watkins’ report on whether more philanthropic endeavours will be taken up in Australia.

Speaking of glimmers of hope in the media industry, when you subscribe, renew or give the gift of Crikey by 11.59pm this Sunday you’ll get three months digital access to The Monthly AND The Saturday Paper, as well as 12 months of Crikey.

Plus, we’ll take $25 off our annual membership price when you use the promocode SAVE.

GUY RUNDLE 4 minute read

A lawyer-turned-police informant. A name everyone knows, but can't publish. A number of major convictions now in question. This will make one hell of a mini-series.

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 3 minute read

Australia's free speech warriors took a righteous stand against children fighting for their future.

HELEN RAZER 4 minute read

As Julia Banks and so many other politicians have shown, one can be simultaneously female and not much chop.

CHARLIE LEWIS 3 minute read

Staff have been told "significant budget pressures" have led to the cuts which may extend to other states.

GLENN DYER 2 minute read

Bauer Media has reportedly given staff less than a week to decide if they will reapply for jobs at six Australian magazines.

CHARLIE LEWIS 4 minute read

The Morrison government has been overwhelmed by so many catastrophes already — and yet, somehow, there's more in the tank.

EMILY WATKINS and GLENN DYER 3 minute read

The controversial move will raise questions about Nine's intention for some of the Fairfax assets.

GUY RUNDLE 4 minute read

Right-wing pin-up boy Milo Yiannopoulos has been scandalised by an email leak, which, unless you're inclined to his brand of politics, is a delicious, early Christmas treat.

EMILY WATKINS 3 minute read

Will we see more like Judith Neilson's "staggering" donation to create a more viable philanthropic journalism sector in Australia?

BRENDAN FOSTER 4 minute read

Traditional owners say a lack of information, the promise of cash and the sheer size of potential land to be fracked are creating confusion in Western Australia.

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

The PM's desire to cling on to power for a couple more months will ensure that NSW voters take it out on Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

CHARLIE LEWIS 3 minute read

Given this happens so often, it's worth knowing how it's decided.

ANN DESLANDES 4 minute read

Contrasts in how migrants were received in different parts of Mexico reflect the current international crisis of border control.

JJ ROSE 4 minute read

Modern slavery is two things: it is an act and it is an attitude. It is that second fact that will be hardest to deal with.