What’s next for same-sex marriage
“If Nikolic wants a free vote, argue for a free vote in the parliament. Let’s not waste $160 million…”
As the Liberal Party splinters further on same-sex marriage, both ends of the debate are arguing for a different kind of free vote.
News
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The rich people who pay no tax
“The seriously rich are not helped by high-priced tax advisers alone, but also by an army of propagandists in the right-wing think tanks, sections of the media and in politics.”
Lost in the tax debate are the billions hidden in the cash economy, and the complex systems concealing the incomes of the very rich.
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Bushfire prevention strategy questioned after Lancefield
“Frankly, we got jack of the rhetoric, state or federal. ‘Using fire to build forest resilience’ – it was all pissing in the wind.”
After the Lancefield fires, caused by a planned burn, the Victorian government has backed away from Black Saturday royal commission recommendations. But communities remain mistrustful of new strategies.
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Australian links to FBI drug-smuggling bust
“Within hours of Owen ‘O-Dog’ Hanson being taken into custody on September 9, NSW Police also made a move in Australia.”
As the alleged leader of an illegal sports gambling and international drug-smuggling ring awaits trial in the US, four Australians are also accused of having links to the network.
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Sydney’s casinos escape lockout laws, smoking bans and more
Not only are The Star and forthcoming Crown casinos omitted from NSW lockout zones, they also enjoy exemptions from smoke-free laws, the ‘Three Strike’ liquor licence scheme and violent venues list.
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Turkish President Erdoğan edits out Zaman’s bad press
Republicans have some primary concerns; border guards on Timor-Leste; US bombers coming Australia’s way.
Opinion
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Ramazan Ali
Life in the Nauru detention centre
“Everyone was feeling despair and hopelessness inside the camp … in Afghanistan, you would be killed once and be free from this world, but here you die every moment.”
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Paul Bongiorno
Jeff Kennett rounds on Malcolm Turnbull
“The mere spectacle of the leader who took the party from opposition to government sitting on the backbench puts up in neon lights failure and division.”
Letters, Poem & Editorial
Culture
Sydney Biennale artistic director Stephanie Rosenthal
Acclaimed curator Stephanie Rosenthal takes a collaborative approach to her new role as artistic director of the Sydney Biennale.
Underworld’s ‘Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future’
Unbound from dance floor imperatives, techno legends Underworld’s first album in six years weaves a seductive spell.
Food
Life
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The science of editing a mosquito’s genetic make-up
The fight against the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses turns to genetic engineering.
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Flying machine: Lydia Lassila, 34, aerial skier
The resilience of Olympic Games aerial skiing gold medallist Lydia Lassila.
Books
The Quiz
1. What was the nickname of Melbourne-born Joseph Leslie Theodore Taylor (1888-1927)?
2. By area, which US state is the largest?
3. Which Australian cricketer’s Test batting average at the start of March was 95.50?
4. Which of the following is not a chemical element: (a) germanium; (b) americium; (c) europium; or (d) australium?
5. What nationality is best supporting actress Oscar winner Alicia Vikander? (Bonus point for naming which film earned her the gong.)
6. What is the cube root of 64?
7. What type of animal is a wrasse?
8. What links the songs “Heartbreaker”, “Islands in the Stream” and “Chain Reaction”?
9. What are Ursa Major and Ursa Minor?
10. The Boeing 787 is also known as what?
Quotes
POLITICS
“I would feel worse if I didn’t have a go.”
The former member for the seat of New England announces he will run at the next election. He’d feel bad if he didn’t run, but he’d feel a lot worse if he were Barnaby Joyce.
EQUALITY
“It could be angry and spiteful and divisive, the last thing we need.”
The broadcaster argues against a plebiscite on same-sex marriage. Few people know what it is to be “spiteful and divisive” like the man who stoked the Cronulla riots, who encouraged the drowning of Australia’s first female prime minister and mocked her father’s death.
LAW
“Because Terry Bollea’s penis is not 10 inches, like you’re trying to say.”
The wrestler discusses himself in the third person, using his real name, as he explained the difference between the character he plays and himself during a $100 million invasion of privacy suit against Gawker, which published a sex tape in which one of them starred.
LEGACY
“I’m not in the business of raking over old coals, nor am I in the business of responding to scurrilous gossip.”
The former prime minister responds to the publication of Niki Savva’s book The Road to Ruin. In Abbott’s mind, the coals aren’t cold; they’re storing heat like a deluded hangi.
LAW
“We are not going to ban rugby league, we’re not going to ban ballet, we are not going to ban anal fisting. These things are dangerous, but we’re not going to ban them.”
The NSW government whip speaks against legislation regulating eyeball tattooing. In fairness, a ban on the former would probably slow down the latter two.
MUSIC
“The world has lost a truly great man who left an indelible mark on my soul and the history of British music.”
The second remaining Beatle mourns the passing of Sir George Martin, who was often described as one of four “fifth” Beatles. Martin was 90.
