End of an error: How Turnbull triumphed
“That Turnbull was quick to renounce his former views on climate policy was no great shock to anyone who had watched him limbering up for months to lunge for the leadership.”
After a long campaign to woo shock jocks and conservatives, Malcolm Turnbull has beaten Tony Abbott with the promise of rebuilding the Liberals’ ‘broad church’.
News
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David Walsh’s MONA casino a political gamble
With MONA, David Walsh reinvigorated Tasmania’s economy and culture. A decision to take on the family who owns the state’s poker machines could see him remake it politically as well.
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“It was like jail,” one teenager recalls, “and we never was happy in that detention, crying every night and pray to get help.”
For asylum-seeker children detained on Christmas Island, the perils of crossing treacherous seas in unsafe vessels was just the beginning of their despair.
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Q&A with Stephen FitzGerald, Australia’s first China ambassador
As both sides of politics tussle over the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement, the father of diplomatic relations with Beijing laments our current lack of vision when dealing with Asia.
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“Even though Turnbull has not told us yet what changes he will propose to the running of the Australian economy, the prospect of change itself is enough to buoy his poll numbers and our collective hope.”
The promise of Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership has lifted economic confidence, but he must now deliver genuine reforms in the face of global downturn.
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Turnbull and Bishop in existential talks
Malcolm less bullish on China; Putin boosts Assad; ALP to follow British Labour’s left turn?; Singapore’s Lees
Opinion
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Nick Dyrenfurth
Shorten selling
“Shorten would act as a managerial leader, rather than a policy obsessive with a penchant for micromanaging ministers and staffers. ”
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Paul Bongiorno
Malcolm Turnbull the National Circuit breaker
“What will give Turnbull a freer hand is his performance as measured in the opinion polls. The early signs are ominous for Labor and the hard right.”
An insider’s outside view
Returning for a second season
The Lucky Country is an insider’s outside view of Australia’s most important political and economic debates. Hosted by The Australia Institute’s Chief Economist Richard Denniss, The Lucky Country is a weekly podcast from Schwartz Media which applies common sense to complex issues.
Find The Lucky Country on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
Letters & Editorial
Culture
Late life drawing of artist Peter Powditch
When the spotlight recently returned to obsessive artist Peter Powditch it inadvertently revealed an inner struggle.
Food
Life
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Feeding the world with microbacterial agriculture
The answer to the problem of feeding the growing global population may be microscopic.
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Defensive architecture takes public space
As corporate prerogatives win the day in urban planning, access to public space shrinks alarmingly.
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Back on deck: Ashton Agar, 21, cricketer
Ashton Agar on his Ashes debut and 'the perfect moment'.
Books
The Quiz
1. Which tennis player won this year’s US Open women’s singles title and promptly announced her retirement from the game?
2. “The Lord is my shepherd” begins which number psalm?
3. Retinol is a form of which vitamin?
4. Englishman John Smith is linked with which famous Native American?
5. In which century did the Suez Canal open? (Bonus points for naming the two seas it connects.)
6. What was the real first name of designer Coco Chanel?
7. How many letter tiles (including blanks) are in a game of Scrabble?
8. The television series Cheers was set in which United States city?
9. Which country’s prime minister this month said he would make his home available to asylum seekers?
10. Name the Liberal and ALP candidates in the September 19 Canning byelection.
Quotes
IMMIGRATION
“Look, I think Australians are pretty sick of being lectured to. I really think Australians are sick of being lectured to by the United Nations.”
The then PM on evidence conditions in offshore detention were tantamount to torture. In the end, though, Australians were more sick of human rights abuses.
HONOURS
“I’m just really pleased that in his 90s, towards the end of a life of service and duty, we in this country are able to properly acknowledge what he’s done for us.”
The then PM defends the knighthood he gave Prince Philip. Mine approvals were not processed in time for him to deliver his gift of coal to Newcastle, and global warming interfered with the ice he had for Eskimos.
DIPLOMACY
“Look, I am going to shirtfront Mr Putin. You bet you are. You bet I am.”
The then PM on his intention to confront Vladimir Putin over the MH17 disaster. Putin has since been seen only topless.
WOMEN
“As many of us know, women are particularly focused on the household budget, and the repeal of the carbon tax means a $550 a year benefit for the average family.”
The then PM explains his services as minister for women. Because in the 1950s everyone was a climate sceptic.
RACE
“What we can’t do is endlessly subsidise lifestyle choices if those lifestyle choices are not conducive to the kind of full participation in Australian society that everyone should have.”
The then PM on costly lifestyle choices. Such as being Aboriginal.
HONESTY
“We have been a government of men and women, not a government of gods walking upon the earth.”
The suddenly former PM admits to his mortal form. His was a cabinet of men and women. Or men and woman, if we were to be pedantic.
