Abbott government’s uneasy dealings with China
After an initial fumble, and an angry rebuke, the government is preparing to offer Chinese business more than just a free trade agreement.
News
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George Pell voices Ellis case "concern" to royal commission
“I felt anxious and unloved and was having angry outbursts. I felt depressed. I felt unable to cope or manage my emotions. – John Ellis”
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Is the NGA’s ’looted’ Shiva a statue of naivety?
An allegedly stolen bronze has greatly tarnished the reputation of Australia’s National Gallery.
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It’s still not easy being Green for Senator Scott Ludlam
A late-night speech to an empty senate gave Scott Ludlam some notoriety online, but will it bring him votes in the West Australian election next month?
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Responsibility for asylum seekers obscured
Government obfuscation in its asylum seeker language leaves detainees in indefinite detention with no way forward or back.
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US protesters urge Obama to act on Ukraine
US flounders. Gas industry response. Laser changes. Rudd’s long-term plan.
Opinion
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Ross Garnaut
How conservative is the Abbott government’s climate change plan?
“The Abbott government’s plans on climate change appear to make it an outlier among international conservatism.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Isabella Rossellini on sex in the wild
Isabella Rossellini turns her attention to the birds and the bees.
Wild about ’70s music icon Harry Nilsson
His soaring talent, maverick ways and damaging lifestyle ensured Harry Nilsson kept everybody talkin’.
Food
Life
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Kate Ratner and Michael Tait’s Alexandria warehouse
A decaying warehouse space is transformed into an eclectic family home.
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Bullfighting without matadors in northern Spain
Running with the bulls and the bullish in northern Spain.
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The great defender: Laura Geitz, 27, netball player
The Australian Diamonds captain on why she nearly quit netball.
Books
The Quiz
1. Name the three Australian medal winners at the Sochi Winter Olympics. (Bonus points for naming the events and medal colours.)
2. Who is directing Star Wars: Episode VII, the latest instalment in the Star Wars franchise, which is due for release in 2015?
3. In which decade did Bangladesh declare independence from Pakistan?
4. Name the latest novel by Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert?
5. What type of fruit has varieties that include Imperial, Murcott and Fremont?
6. Marissa Mayer is the president and CEO of which American multinational internet corporation?
7. In a traditional game of mahjong, each of the four players begins the game with how many tiles (with an additional tile going to the dealer).
8. What is Valentina Tereshkova’s main claim to fame?
9. Which Canadian-born Hollywood actress publicly announced she is gay at a conference in Las Vegas last month?
10. In which field of the arts is Englishman Henry Moore best known?
Quotes
AVIATION
“Do you know a footballer by the name of Balotelli?’’
The Malaysian civil aviation chief tries to describe the appearance of men travelling on stolen Austrian and Italian passports aboard missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370. Mario Balotelli is an AC Milan striker known for his flamboyant appearance.
LITERATURE
“The truth is, occasionally, yes.”
The prime minister answers a question on Perth’s Nova FM about whether he reads on the toilet. The West Australian election will in part determine the future of this country.
VEXILLOLOGY
“It’s my belief that the design of the New Zealand flag symbolises a colonial and post-colonial era whose time has passed.”
The New Zealand prime minister postponing a referendum on the ensign originally slated to coincide with a general election this year.
DEATH
“I thought this is going to be a great shot, and all of sudden it propped on its front and started stabbing wildly, hundreds of strikes in a few seconds.”
The cameraman recalls Steve Irwin’s last moments. He said the stingray barb that killed Irwin “went through his chest like hot butter”.
POLITICS
“Troy has had a turbulent career —tragically maybe it all became too much.”
The WA premier explains that he has accepted his treasurer’s resignation as Troy Buswell remains under medical care for a breakdown.
NEGOTIATIONS
‘‘Gillard effectively offered me Denison for keeps in mid-2011.”
The Tasmanian independent reveals in a long essay one of the former prime minister’s strategies for shoring up a hung parliament.
