Abuse on Nauru, Scott Morrison’s wretched island
Reports of sexual abuse and cruelty on Nauru are the latest in a long line of woes for the detention centre.
News
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The Australia Institute are the real senate puppet masters
“The Minerals Council should wish it were dealing with mere puppets of Christine Milne. Denniss and Oquist’s influence would be a lot more contained if it were.”
What is the Australia Institute and how did it cultivate such critical influence over the government’s agenda?
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The government’s multicultural guardian
As Coalition figures drum up fears of Muslim extremism, Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells is trying to reassure a community at the crossroads.
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“Few thought it would come to outright war. A friend told me on Facebook that conflict in the digital age, here in Europe, was impossible. Information would prevent atrocities. ”
In Ukraine, the shift towards urbane European life has been savagely halted by war, and the gravitational pull of their Soviet history.
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Annabel Crabb explores The Wife Drought
“The truth is, having a baby for a man means completely different things professionally from having a baby as a woman.”
Well known for her political commentary and Kitchen Cabinet series, Annabel Crabb is now pondering the recipe for a perfect career-family balance.
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Tony Abbott unmoved by African cries for Ebola help
Time for words, not just bombs. A masterclass from China’s Xi.
Opinion
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Guy Rundle
Politics’ one-term wonders
“There is one general rule about weak and struggling right-wing governments: the formula that served them well for decades no longer works.”
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Paul Bongiorno
Union commission witch-hunt and budget booby trap
“Voters can smell a political witch-hunt. The fact that John Howard expressed negative views about going after defeated political opponents also feeds into this sentiment.”
Letters, Poem & Editorial
Culture
John Tiffany hits the stage Once more with feeling
From working-class Yorkshire roots to the toast of musical theatre. John Tiffany talks about his latest triumph, Once.
David Suchet’s Last Confession
Most famous as TV's moustachioed sleuth, David Suchet’s onstage role as a cardinal is cashing in on his mass appeal.
Geoff Hunt and the quest for understanding
Twenty years ago they were young and carefree. Now one is dead and the country stunned by his actions.
Food
Life
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Believing in secularism at The School of Life
What happens when someone raised fervently Catholic gives up the pomp and ceremony and places her faith in modest, secular teachings?
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Cycle of life in southern Africa
Mountain biking in the rugged landscape of Lesotho makes for some uneasy riders.
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Belle on wheels: ShortStop, 29, roller derby skater
At times, roller derby can be contact sport with dress-ups, but you won't get ShortStop in a tutu.
Books
The Quiz
1. When treating strains and sprains, the acronym RICE stands for…?
2. In what year did the social networking tool Twitter launch?
3. Which Australian state or territory is home to the Bungle Bungle Range?
4. Nutmeg and which other spice are derived from several species of tree in the genus Myristica?
5. What is the highest number on a roulette wheel?
6. What is the term for a word that’s spelt and pronounced the same as another word but has a different meaning?
7. What is the traditional gift for a 25th wedding anniversary? (Bonus points for naming the gifts for the 30th, 40th and 50th anniversary.)
8. The paraphrased quote “Religion is the opium of the people” is attributed to…?
9. What was the winning margin in the 2014 AFL grand final?
10. What does the Second Amendment to the United States constitution protect?
Quotes
BIRTHS
“Mila and I would like to welcome Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher to the world.”
The actor announces that he and Mila Kunis have named their daughter Wyatt. Which, incidentally, is what Philip Ruddock and Bill Heffernan called their daughter, who won the seat of Longman at the election before last.
POLITICS
“By all means let Australians who want to say stupid things to say stupid things, but there’s no point importing troublemakers from overseas to stir people up.”
The prime minister takes a dim view of hate speech while talking to Alan Jones, who has fronted various tribunals for using hate speech. His defence of stupidity, while self-serving, was also brave.
ABUSE
“You know it’s your fault. You tempted my father.”
The Hillsong Church leader’s alleged response to a man who was sexually abused by his father, Frank Houston.
WORLD
“I am not ‘calling into question the authenticity of the ISIS videos’. I don’t KNOW if they are authentic or not.”
The vagina’s unofficial biographer, chronicler of the “goddess array” and apparent conspiracy theorist explains that she is not claiming actors staged recent beheading videos. She just accepts that they might have.
CELEBRITY
“Your argument is, ‘You know, black people, they shoot each other.’ ”
The actor takes exception to Bill Maher’s stereotyping of Muslims, continuing the happy stereotype of liberal-left Hollywood actor.
COURTS
“In the nature of a fishing exercise.”
The lawyer for Kim Dotcom characterises a court order seeking to disclose his assets. Another way of keeping them secret is to not stud your estate with life-size giraffe statues and be frequently photographed in bubble baths.
