December 2 – 8, 2023
News
Comment
Comment
Madeline Gleeson
The case against mandatory detention
“New laws have been rushed through parliament with bilateral support but little analysis … This is ‘crisis’ law-making at its worst – reactionary, spurred on by a contrived sense of urgency and inflamed by fearmongering and political opportunism.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
MPs push Albanese on cost-of-living crisis
“The cage fight that passes for political debate in the Australian parliament is drawing to an unedifying close for the year. The Dutton-led opposition has rushed to exploit every fear and panic, and heads to the summer break convinced it has the Albanese government ready to yield.”
Comment
John Hewson
The new climate denial
“Australia is engaged in the most significant economic, industrial and social transformation – the transition to renewable energy. Unfortunately, the opposition, backed by its loyal media comrades, is doing its level best to complicate and undermine this effort with baseless assertions and misrepresentations.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
The Influence
Imara Savage on the artworks of Ana Mendieta
Director Imara Savage finds herself constantly drawn to the ‘body–earth’ artworks of Cuban–American artist Ana Mendieta.
Fiction
Right, darling?
“It’s called the Diderot effect. You buy one thing and that leads you to buy more. I read that in a book I bought off Amazon, next-day delivery. Before I finished that book I had another on the way, as well as a clear shower curtain liner, set of six measuring spoons and a 30-centimetre hanging door hook.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Deaths
“One of the most dependable and distinctive voices on foreign affairs.”
The former United States president pays tribute to Henry Kissinger, who died at 100. The former secretary of state is survived by his wife and two children and the cluster bombing of Cambodia.
Courts
“Clearly, as we’ve seen, I’ve been mistaken there.”
The former political staffer admits to lying several times in evidence at his defamation trial. It’s unfortunately too late to commence proceedings against himself.
Media
“I don’t believe any racist comments were ever made by any of the royal family.”
The broadcaster responds to a new book that accuses two royals of racism. It’s amazing that he has gone so long without hearing about Prince Philip.
Business
“Go fuck yourself.”
The billionaire offers his advice to companies that have pulled advertising from the platform he calls X. The sooner he goes to Mars, the better.
Schools
“We understand that … the purpose of the College was to educate boys and young men.”
The law firm indicates that it will bring a legal challenge to prevent Newington College from educating female students. A substantial part of the case is expected to rely on evidence of “girl germs”.
Politics
“I do leave this place with some sense of sorrow, in that as a nation we were not able to respond positively to the referendum.”
The Labor senator announces his retirement due to ill health. He will be missed.
ISRAEL–HAMAS WAR