What is going on with WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange?
WikiLeaks’ publishing of emails hacked by Russia to embarrass Hillary Clinton shows that its founder has not changed, the world has.
News
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Jane Halton, the last of John Howard’s departmental heads, steps down
Jane Halton, the bureaucrat at the centre of the ‘children overboard’ affair, reflects on a career of toughness and discretion.
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Solicitors-general support Justin Gleeson in argument with George Brandis
A gathering of former solicitors-general has supported Justin Gleeson’s view that Attorney-General George Brandis misunderstands the Law Officers Act.
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Veteran UK banker Paul Fisher on climate change and the financial sector
“In some countries now – China for example – if you lend to a polluting company, then you as the lender can be held to account, not just the polluter. ”
A veteran of Britain’s central bank, Paul Fisher says climate change will have a massive impact on the global financial sector. He talks about managing the risks.
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The Coalition attacks on statutory authorities
“It’s not limited to Gleeson and Triggs. The same trend is manifest in the way the government has reacted to a whole series of people who disagree with policy on legal grounds.”
Senate committee attacks on statutory officers reveal a government prepared to undermine independent institutions and hound advisers out of office when their counsel is politically unwelcome.
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Duterte words offend West’s commentariat
Royal Thais in bind; African nations quit Hague crime court
Opinion
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Peter Garrett
Why the ALP must focus its policy on the environment
“As things stand, a reform-minded federal Labor government could, with strong policies and political will, lead the effort to arrest this tidal wave of decline. ”
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Paul Bongiorno
The rising toll of PM Malcolm Turnbull’s disappointments
“Turnbull is being seen as ‘weak’ – unable to stand up for what he really believes in against the conservatives in his party. Worse, he ‘stuffs up’.”
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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Playwright Nakkiah Lui on radicalism and family
Playwright and Black Comedy star Nakkiah Lui has turned her politically aware upbringing into award-winning writing about Indigenous experience.
Food
Life
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Whistleblowing to The Saturday Paper via SecureDrop
Introducing The Saturday Paper’s SecureDrop – an encrypted system for secure communications with whistleblowers.
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’League of Legends’ and eSports
With hundreds of millions of players, online gaming now has professional ‘eSport’ competitions watched by huge global crowds.
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Pace odyssey: Liam Hatcher, 20, cricketer
Fast bowler Liam Hatcher on being able to take as good as you give.
Books
The Quiz
1. Is Tanzania in the northern or southern hemisphere? (Bonus point for naming its capital city.)
2. How many current Summer Olympic sports begin with the letter ‘h’?
3. Who are the running mates of United States presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump?
4. Who produced Michael Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller?
5. In which wine-producing region is the Jacob’s Creek winery?
6. Which 1992 film has been turned into a stage musical set to tour Australia next year?
7. In which year was Indira Gandhi assassinated?
8. What politically charged phrase was named Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year for 2015?
9. Dora Maar was the muse and lover of which artist?
10. A shoat is the weaned infant of which animal?
Quotes
DENIAL
“How does it feel to be more unpopular…”
A reporter begins to ask the prime minister about his poor showing in Newspoll. It seems only fair that, having taken all of Tony Abbott’s policies, Malcolm Turnbull should get his popularity, too.
ISOLATION
“Just speak up a little bit.”
The prime minister encourages the reporter to be a little louder as he asks about his poor showing in Newspoll. Turnbull might be as unpopular as Tony Abbott, but his ears are not as big.
ANGER
“How does it feel to be a more unpopular prime minister than Tony Abbott?”
The reporter loudly asks the prime minister about his poor showing in Newspoll. Voter satisfaction with Turnbull is now a point below Abbott’s worst rating. To quote Abbott: “You bet you are; ah, ah, you bet I am.”
BARGAINING
“Sorry, you had a question.”
The prime minister deftly pretends not to be taking a question on his poor showing in Newspoll. To be clear: only 29 per cent of people register satisfaction with his prime ministership.
DEPRESSION
“Graham Quirk is a very popular Lord Mayor. Did you ask for any tips today?”
A reporter brings up Brisbane’s mayor, who is apparently a yardstick on popularity. You cannot argue with a guy who literally believes koala tourism will replace mining revenue in his city.
ACCEPTANCE
“Well, Graham, give me some tips. Give me some tips.”
The prime minister gives up. Quirk delivers no advice, but last month he did offer this: “To say that Brisbane is the koala capital of Australia is not an overstatement … It’s not a case of taking advantage of the koala, it’s just simply saying we have this wonderful, treasured iconic little animal and we ought not lose that opportunity.”
