Newman government courts Adani on Galilee Basin coal deal
As the market deserts coal, Queensland’s government is offering money to Indian mining giant Adani to exploit the state’s reserves.
News
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What lies behind ICAC’s Margaret Cunneen investigation?
Margaret Cunneen, SC, blames a personal vendetta for ICAC’s investigation into whether she perverted the course of justice.
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ASIO and other intelligence agencies reach for the spy
“In intelligence, you need to keep your successes secret – but Snowden and WikiLeaks have made that difficult.”
Savvy terrorists and changing security issues have forced our intelligence agencies to pump huge money into funding and recruitment.
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Future Fund betting on the nuclear arms race
“Australian banking institutions have financed an estimated $US4.6 billion for nuclear weapons producers since 2011.”
Australia’s Future Fund invests in nuclear weapons development and our banks are happy to provide capital as well.
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Labor rallies crossbench senators over FOFA reforms
A change of heart over financial advice regulations has exposed holes in the Coalition’s senate strategy.
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China FTA cushions emissions pledge blow
Abbott coaches on two percenters. Obama’s time running out on Iran’s nuclear deal.
Opinion
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David Marr
Poetic injustice as bid for Indigenous Recognition stalls
“Abbott still has to decide what he and his government mean by recognition: poetry, protection or both? And there is no sign a hard answer to that is anywhere in sight.”
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Paul Bongiorno
Post G20, Abbott gets the thin edge of the sandwich
“The breakaway of Lambie and Muir spells big trouble for Abbott. Finance Minister Mathias Cormann was apoplectic. But no one was angrier than Clive Palmer.”
Letters & Editorial
Culture
TV medical dramas suffer from a reality bypass
Only an incurable fan would think today’s medical dramas have any instructive value.
Actor Angus Sampson plays a stubborn mule
In the world of Australian film and television, few people have spent more time on our screens than Angus Sampson.
Food
Life
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Private CubeSat start-ups join the space race
Cheap, small-scale satellites are being developed for commercial use and deployed in a fraction of the time it takes cautious government agencies.
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Borneo to be wild in the Sarawak jungle
Heading into the steamy rainforests of Sarawak is less about getting away from it all than letting it all sink in.
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Better breaks: Laura Enever, 23, surfer
Surfer Laura Enever tells how she won her battle with anxiety and learned to love her sport again.
Books
The Quiz
1. Coptic Christians are native to which country?
2. Big Spender is a song written for which musical?
3. Taste can be divided into five basic categories: sweetness, sourness, saltiness, bitterness and …?
4. Which horse finished second in this year’s Melbourne Cup, its third second-placing in four starts?
5. In anatomy, what is the more common name for the femur?
6. Which Beatles song’s title is derived from the name of a street where a young John Lennon and Paul McCartney used to meet? (Bonus points for naming which city is home to the street and who wrote the song.)
7. Which soccer team became the champions of Asia this month after defeating Al-Hilal?
8. Name the Israeli prime minister who was assassinated in 1995.
9. True or false: Siem Reap is the capital of Cambodia.
10. What year does MMXIV represent in Roman numerals?
Quotes
OPTIMISM
“We support strong and effective action to address climate change. Consistent with the United Nations.”
The G20 takes a hopeful “we” to the problem of climate change, in the wake of China and the US brokering a deal on emissions reduction.
DENIALISM
“As the world’s largest producer of coal, I’d like to stand up for coal.”
The prime minister addresses a closed-door session on energy. His projections on coal use are disputed, however, with about half going as Christmas presents for children in detention.
REALISM
“Whether you are a developed country, a developing country, or somewhere in between – you’ve got to be able to overcome old divides, look squarely at the science, and reach a strong global climate agreement next year.”
The US president addresses the G20, helpfully giving Australia three options for its place in the world.
INTERNATIONALISM
“Mr Obama’s words carried an extra edge in Australia, where Prime Minister Tony Abbott is a blunt skeptic about the science behind climate change.”
The Grey Lady sets Tony Abbott in a global context. Presumably “blunt” is an American spelling.
PAROCHIALISM
“Abbott delivered and in an overall stylish fashion.”
The political editor of The Australian notes some “continuing awkwardness on the world stage” but still finds his man out on top. Stylish, even.
EUPHEMISM
“It’s an honour to be hosting the G20 – I know there will be inconveniences in Brisbane as the leaders gather and I thank people for their patience.”
The prime minister, inconvenienced, speaks to the nation and to himself. Whether this was an Al Gore reference remains unclear.
