Fear and abuse: the Nauru letters
“I don’t have any motivation for life anymore… What have I done wrong to deserve this humiliation? ”
One woman molested after a suicide attempt, as other abuse is left uninvestigated. These are the horrific conditions on Nauru.
News
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While the Liberals court Clive Palmer, overlooked Nationals are threatening revolt from within.
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Luxembourg tax deals hard for G20 meeting to ignore
“Australia loses huge amounts of revenue each year. The tax office reckons the figure is probably a couple of billion.”
A timely leak of documents may finally force the G20’s hand on corporate tax dodging.
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NSW Supreme Court justice Tom Bathurst adjudicates
“There has to be a balance struck between persons’ rights to privacy and the public’s right to know about certain matters. ”
NSW’s top judge, Tom Bathurst, isn’t shy about stirring up the legal profession. He talks about suppression orders, judicial diversity and a bill of rights.
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Horse racing priorities off track
The deaths of two horses at this year’s Melbourne Cup have again raised concerns about the way the racing industry treats its animals.
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Japan and China agree to disagree
Luxembourg tax dodgers leaked; Japan’s history wars claim scalp; Abbott’s hairy-chested adviser.
Opinion
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Wayne Swan
The political influence of Murdoch’s News Carp
“When Paul Kelly correctly identifies a political system plagued by a number of roadblocks, he completely fails to acknowledge the one for which he works.”
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Paul Bongiorno
A change in climate
“When you realise the budget is in fact the government’s 'Economic Action Strategy' being trumpeted in Brisbane, the PM better hope no one is looking too closely. ”
Letters, Poem & Editorial
Culture
Paul Capsis scales the heights with Calpurnia Descending
Cabaret star Paul Capsis teams with Sisters Grimm to bring to the stage an original twist on an age-old tale.
C.W. Stoneking’s electric boogaloo
C. W. Stoneking’s pursuit of old-timey music and recording techniques is the theatre applied to an original talent.
Watching Paul Barry, the man who watches the media
Just what brings that distinctive smile to Media Watch host Paul Barry’s face?
Food
Life
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Continued debate over the existence of the G spot and even vaginal orgasms reflects a lack of solid science about women’s bodies.
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Samuel Johnson’s poetic discovery
As a teenager, actor Samuel Johnson was struck by the work of a little-known Australian poet. Years later he was shocked to discover who she really was.
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The big hitter: Meg Lanning, 22, cricketer
Still in her early 20s, Meg Lanning is breaking cricket records around the world.
Books
The Quiz
1. Appearing on Australia’s coat of arms, Macropus rufus is more commonly known as a…?
2. Which golfer is nicknamed The Big Easy?
3. Which author set all of his major novels in southern England, in an area he called “Wessex”?
4. Which country recently announced it will hold a binding referendum in 2016 on whether to change its national flag?
5. Was the iPhone first released in (a) 2005; (b) 2007; or (c) 2009?
6. Who has collaborated with Brian May and Roger Taylor as lead singer of the band Queen since 2011?
7. What spirit is traditionally used to make a mint julep?
8. The latest film in the Hunger Games series is called… (Bonus points for naming the actors who play Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne.)
9. Thousands of people of what religion descended on Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium last month?
10. What is the cube root of 64?
Quotes
CLIMATE CHANGE
“Exactly where it was before the US-China announcement – up shit creek.”
The former government adviser on climate change situates the government’s current policies in relation to the United States and China’s commitment on emission reduction. We hope they like $100 lamb roasts in Beijing.
MUSIC
“Another example of critics victimising an artist by purposely misinterpreting his/her work to support a pre-existing agenda.”
The X Factor judge puzzles at the meaning of his latest song, where women refusing to drink shots or participate in “girl on girl” are told to “shut the fuck up”. In the confusion, he described himself as an “artist”.
LEGACY
“He baited me one time too often and now he has to deal with the light I have decided to shine on the record.”
The former prime minister breaks his silence on Bob Hawke’s legacy, again, giving the fullest picture yet of what warring diprotodons might have sounded like before the last ice age.
POLITICS
“It is functioning, but it is in desperate need.”
A common complaint for ageing rock stars, the Cruel Sea frontman refers instead to the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, the preservation of which forms the basis of his platform as an independent in the Victorian election.
EXPLORATION
“This is a big step for human civilisation.”
The European Space Agency’s director-general augments Neil Armstrong’s famed couplet, celebrating the landing of the probe Philae on the surface of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
BANKS
“Gail’s passion for people has resulted in the development of a diverse and highly engaged workforce.”
Westpac’s chairman praises outgoing CEO Gail Kelly, who, in the interest of maintaining a diverse and highly engaged workforce, will be replaced by an old white man from February 1 next year.
