ALP leader Bill Shorten faces big test on civil liberties
The opposition leader is being wedged on data retention laws, not just by the government and the Greens, but by his own party.
News
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The ice epidemic destroying families
As police confess they are “treading water” on the ice epidemic, parents are forced into desperate measures to try to save their families.
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Tony Abbott’s affinity with ADF reflected in parliament
The red and green houses of parliament are being tinged with khaki as an increasing number of former defence force personnel enter politics.
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Learning the tricks of nonviolent direct action
“The key to winning a campaign is involving wide ranges of people in a way that works against the forces you are fighting.”
From exposing live-baiting in the greyhound racing industry to demonstrating against the detention of asylum seekers, nonviolent direct action is rising up as a means of protest.
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Report offers little hope for families of MH370 victims
On the first anniversary of flight MH370’s disappearance, the Malaysian government’s report into its fate offers a wealth of data but nothing to explain to the families of the missing what happened.
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Chinese feel less zen over growth targets
TPP concerns; Iran nuclear treaty; US dodges push to recapture Tikrit; Capital punishment double standards
Opinion
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Richard Ackland
Treasurer for wail
“It is not attractive to see politicians suing for defamation ... It would be much harder to get to first base if the treasurer had brought his case in England or the US. ”
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Paul Bongiorno
Abbott running short of spares
“Everything that is happening with the government is through the prism of leadership. The opinion polls are the pulse of the PM’s grip on his political life.”
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Gadfly
Juan direction is what makes you dutiful
Diarist-at-large Richard Ackland flys about the nation.
Letters, Poem & Editorial
Culture
Tim Burton sketches artist Margaret Keane in Big Eyes
Tim Burton leaves behind his usual dark canvas to frame a colourful true story of art-world artifice in the film Big Eyes.
Tony Jones invites Q&A audiences into an illusory democracy, where “representation” belies equality.
Conducting becoming for MSO’s Sir Andrew Davis
All the world’s a stage for Melbourne Symphony Orchestra maestro Andrew Davis.
Food
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Time to get on the sauce – tomato and plum, that is
An end-of-season fruit surplus means sauce is ripe for the making.
Life
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Dion Lee’s positive bias for Autumn
Australian Dion Lee's crafted simplicity thrills New York Fashion Week with his Autumn/Winter collection.
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The Genius of explaining the meaning of any text
The open source website Genius has expanded to take in annotations on any text, from poetry to presidential addresses.
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Making waves: Felicity Palmateer, 22, surfer
A love of the ocean led Felicity Palmateer to both surfing and creating art.
Books
The Quiz
1. Which theoretical physicist was born in Ulm, Germany, on March 14, 1879?
2. Name the latest film in the Divergent series, starring Kate Winslet.
3. The Italian musical instruction subito means what in English?
4. What is the currency of Brazil?
5. What is the term for the clear covering of the front of the eye?
6. Which is the largest of the Great Lakes? (Bonus points for naming the other four.)
7. What name is given to a triangle where none of the sides is equal in length to another.
8. Øresund Bridge links which two countries?
9. Titan is the largest of which planet's moons?
10. Name the winner of last year's Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
Quotes
POLITICS
“In any campaign you’ll see people express themselves in all types of ways and we welcome it.”
The NSW premier addresses public opinion. The casual observer might not even notice he was talking about someone having spray-painted enormous penises onto the side of his campaign bus.
ART
“That is where she belongs, above Lake Burley Griffin. That is where she was commissioned, she was born there, that is where she belongs.”
The artist responds to news her pendulous boob turtle, Skywhale, will not be included in Canberra’s Balloon Spectacular. Criminally, funding was instead allocated to balloons representing Yoda and a character from Angry Birds.
MEDIA
“Fracas with a BBC producer.”
The BBC explains why it finally suspended Jeremy Clarkson, host of Top Gear. Because homophobia is okay, and a bit of racism, especially directed at Mexicans, and the odd bit of sexism even, but you just can’t go around hitting people.
MUSIC
“This affects the creativity of young musicians who hope to stand on the shoulders of other musicians. Let my clients go forth and continue to do their magic.”
The lawyer representing musicians Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke defends the fact all but two bars of their song "Blurred Lines" were lifted from Marvin Gaye’s "Got To Give It Up". It’s obviously hard to write your own melodies when you’re busy riffing humorously on date rape.
WORLD
“People can change.”
The Australian death-row prisoner inscribes a portrait he painted of Indonesian President Joko Widodo after learning his bid for clemency had been rejected. His final appeal, alongside Andrew Chan, has been set over for next week.
INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
“It is not the job of the taxpayer to subsidise lifestyle choices.”
The PM explains why he supports the closing of remote Aboriginal communities. Of course living in the community where you were born and where your family has thousands of years of connection is a lifestyle choice, like literacy rates and life expectancy and deaths in custody. Oh, and being a bigot.
