The party donors ICAC doesn’t see
“It is very clear that there were those in the Liberal Party who resented the prohibition which had been placed on donations from property developers.”
The influence ICAC scrutinises is just the grubby tip. Here, we explore the iceberg of political donations.
News
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Inside the mind of a paedophile
“I can tell you exactly how I was groomed. I didn’t know it at the time, but in retrospect it’s gruesomely transparent. ”
It’s an act so abhorrent people recoil at its mention. Martin McKenzie-Murray unpicks the stigma, and his own experience, to examine what is actually known about child abusers.
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Cracks in PM Abbott and Treasurer Hockey’s deficit levy
Blame laying and calls for heavy lifting aside, it’s time for Joe Hockey to take ownership of the economy.
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The upsides to extending the pension age
Extending the pension age; big four earnings hit $14.7 billion; the downsides of global community; Alibaba set to steal limelight.
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Silence on toxic emissions in mining towns
Regulatory failures are exposing communities in mining towns to toxic emissions, a new report says. But pragmatism about jobs may be stifling dissent.
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Plans for Screen Australia will shortchange culture
A plan to slash Screen Australia funding, and merge it with the Australia Council, has the thriving industry in turmoil.
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Indonesia grows rich waiting for an apology
Indonesia named the world's 10th largest economy, with China meanwhile predicted to emerge as the world's largest economy by the end of this year.
Opinion
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Nick Feik
Tony Abbott: an unserious man
“The deficit levy proved Tony Abbott's talk about good governance and proper process, about being a government of no surprises, was empty rhetoric.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Queensland Theatre Company artistic director Wesley Enoch on work, faith and family
As the first Indigenous head of a state theatre company, Wesley Enoch is used to breaking new ground. He’s also no stranger to controversy.
The personal touch of Jemma Birrell
Artistic director of the Sydney Writers' Festival Jemma Birrell greets the writer, director and creator of Breaking Bad.
Food
Life
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All eyes on Pitch Drop Experiment
Though too late for its veteran custodian, last month’s rare milestone in the world’s longest-running experiment caused excitement around the globe.
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It may not be sexy, but nothing beats the satisfaction – or the economy – of growing plants from scratch.
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Bondi brawler: James Packer, 46, fighter
This week James Packer defeated his long-time friend, rival and fellow heavyweight media mogul David Gyngell.
Books
The Quiz
1. David Moyes was sacked last month as manager of which English Premier League football club?
2. The headquarters of fast-food chain McDonald’s is in a suburb of which major US city?
3. Which writers had works published under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell?
4. Americans call it kerosene; what do the British generally call it?
5. The acronym ICAC stands for…?
6. Who won this year’s Gold Logie for the most popular personality on Australian TV? (Bonus points for naming the winners of the most popular actor
and actress awards.)
7. The metric system of measurement was first used officially in which country: (a) Australia; (b) New Zealand; (c) France; or (d) Germany?
8. Who was the last tsar of Russia?
9. Saudi Arabia has coastlines on what two bodies of water?
10. Which card game features the terms “the flop”, “the turn” and “the river”?
Quotes
SIGHTINGS
“Then they all fell on the concrete fence and I think the other guy broke his face … They were looking for teeth after he left.”
A witness reports on Facebook what it is like to see James Packer beat David Gyngell half to death, apparently for the crime of leaving a news crew in front of the mogul’s house.
GEOGRAPHY
“I didn’t even know you were in fucking Australia.”
The Nine chief executive, for 35 years one of Packer’s closest friends, selflessly uses his face to ascertain James’s whereabouts.
BUSINESS
“David Gyngell has had and continues to have the full support of the board in his role as CEO of Nine Entertainment Company.”
The chairman confirms that while Gyngell definitely lost the fight, he will keep his $10 million salary at the network once owned by James.
MATESHIP
“Leave it, James. Just leave it.”
One of Packer’s crew, either a security guard or a chauffeur or a passenger in his car, offers the sage wisdom of a bar at closing time.
HISTORY
“Good evening, and welcome to television.”
David’s father utters, in 1956, the first words to be said on Australian television – the medium that made Packer’s father his fortune. Little did either man know what entertainment would eventually look like.
