The Arthur Sinodinos-Malcolm Turnbull plan for the Coalition
It was not just his popularity that won Malcolm Turnbull the leadership. There was also a long-running plan to reboot policy.
News
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The IPA and other losers of the Tony Abbott guard
“I always thought Abbott just wasn't bright enough to chair cabinet. And I suspect Rudd thought he was too bright. The concern among those who want Turnbull to succeed is that he might be a little too much like Rudd. ”
The change of prime minister has fundamentally altered the influence of the IPA and other far-right groups and individuals in Canberra.
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Family First and the parties rallying the right
Angry at the tearing down of a conservative PM, traditionalist parties of the right are hoping to at least benefit by attracting disaffected Liberal voters, or even a notable backbencher.
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Global shark experts meet in Sydney to discuss rising attacks
International marine experts met this week to discuss the rising number of shark attacks in Australian waters and the technological innovations that may help to prevent them.
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The shadow of tragedy hangs over Luke Batty inquest
Hindsight and evaluation cannot alter the fate of Luke Batty. But a coroner’s report into his ‘unforeseeable’ murder has at least identified systemic failings in the handling of mental illness and domestic violence.
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Vladimir Putin lifts Russian presence in the Middle East
Kunduz captured; US loses control but Obama soars; drug ship queries; Train gets navy intel back on track.
Opinion
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James Brown
The deepening Syria quagmire
“Two principles should guide Australia’s future engagement on the Syrian conflict: a great deal more diplomatic effort, rather than military; and a much stronger dose of pragmatism.”
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Paul Bongiorno
Turnbull’s gritted self-belief
“In a disturbing development for the Labor narrative that nothing has changed but the leader, Turnbull has parted ways with Abbott’s chief business adviser, Maurice Newman.”
An insider’s outside view
A new podcast from Schwartz Media
Join Richard Denniss, The Australia Institute’s chief economist, as he tackles Australia’s most important political and economic issues in a new weekly podcast.
Find The Lucky Country on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
Letters & Editorial
Culture
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In a frenetic 12 months Meg Mac has gone from Triple J Unearthed to supporting R’n’B star D’Angelo in the US.
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Julia Holter, ’Have You In My Wilderness’
Julia Holter threads a range of literary and historic influences into her new abstract chamber pop album.
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Alex Dimitriades is ‘The Principal’
Alex Dimitriades is back to school and straight to the principal’s office.
Food
Life
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Over-medicalisation: doing more harm than good
Is a growing tendency to overprescribe tests and treatments turning the elderly into ‘professional patients’?
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Across the Simpson Desert by camel
Steeped in mystery and romanticism, Australia’s deserts unveil their secrets to those patient enough to traverse them on foot.
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Marathon man: Kurt Fearnley, 34, wheelchair athlete
Champion wheelchair athlete Kurt Fearnley on turning a disability into a strength.
Books
The Quiz
1. Mahouts and oozies are the trainers of what?
2. The Pillars of Islam call for how many daily prayers?
3. True or false: Olivia Newton-John once competed in the Eurovision Song Contest.
4. What unit is used to measure the height of horses and ponies?
5. What is the name of the large, triangular bone at the base of the spine?
6. Name Australia’s new minister for defence? (Bonus point for naming how many women in Malcolm Turnbull’s cabinet.)
7. In American football, a touchdown is worth how many points?
8. Which director links the films A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream and The Hills Have Eyes?
9. Which English artist is known for artworks of animals preserved in formaldehyde?
10. What is the zip code of the Los Angeles suburb Beverly Hills?
Quotes
MEDIA
“The ABC has become increasingly left wing. Blatantly so.”
The self-satirising former satirist tells The Australian newspaper about media bias.
SPORT
“My family have been nothing but supportive all the way through, of everything but my hair.”
The Fremantle footballer celebrates winning the Brownlow Medal. In fairness to his parents, he does look like he has lost a bet.
ELECTIONS
“If he stood and no one else did, we’d back him.”
The New Zealand prime minister outlines the circumstances in which he would support Kevin Rudd to be United Nations secretary-general. Which is as close to an endorsement as Rudd has come.
WORLD
“If I win, they’re going back.”
The Republican front-runner explains his plan for Syrian refugees living in the United States. Going back is also his plan on living standards and the rights of minority groups. The only thing going forward, frankly, is his hair.
LEGACY
“There’s obviously been a lot of dirty water under the bridge.”
The former prime minister continues his whistle-stop tour of conservative radio stations. It’s not fair to say that he’s white-anting, in that white ants are much more subtle.
ABORTION
“My 25-year history of peaceful, prayerful action speaks for itself.”
The anti-abortion campaigner complains that his visa to enter Australia was cancelled. He said the decision was “based on a pile of lies”. Much like his activism.
