Contradictions in Dutton’s refugee life ban
“Some in the government are concerned the change won’t act as a deterrent because it introduces the prospect asylum seekers may eventually reach an attractive third country.”
As the government announces a lifetime ban on boat arrivals ever visiting Australia, criminals deported to New Zealand can find their way back.
News
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Exclusive: Safe Schools head Roz Ward speaks
“My team, who I’d been supporting through all of this shit, were suddenly told they should not talk to me and I was told I should not talk to them.”
Roz Ward speaks for the first time about the concerted attacks on her character and the Safe Schools program she leads.
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George Pell evidence rejected in royal commission counsel submissions
Newly published counsel to the child abuse royal commission rejects Cardinal George Pell’s evidence regarding known church abusers.
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BHP Billiton’s Brazil disaster a year on
One year after an iron ore tailings dam part-owned by BHP Billiton burst its banks, locals of a Brazilian village lament ruined livelihoods and uncertain health risks.
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The truth about claims of a faulty welfare system
“The government and its media surrogates would have you think the worst, which is why they publicise the most extreme cases they can find. The hypothetical single mother featured in The Australian was in no way typical. ”
Recent attacks on those who receive social security payments – and on the welfare system itself – are born of manipulated statistics and the government’s philosophy of a carrot for the rich and a stick for the poor.
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US faces increase of white patriot games following Bundy acquittal
Asia-Pacific chaos; upping the ante for American allies.
Opinion
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Tony Windsor
Time to get the politics out of education policy
“It is difficult to fully comprehend the Gonski model and it is easy to find political angles to play. To achieve real progress we need to condense the debate to a basic question: Will it lift the individual?”
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Paul Bongiorno
Rudd and Abbott return to spite Turnbull
“One Liberal says when Rudd quit as foreign minister, at a dramatic press conference in Washington, it was to blow up the government. Why would Turnbull risk it with Abbott?”
Letters, Poem & Editorial
Culture
Brisbane indie band The Goon Sax
Brisbane teenagers The Goon Sax are getting all the right attention, here and abroad, for their deceptively simple and heartfelt pop. Fans of The Go-Betweens might recognise a pattern.
Isabelle Huppert’s masterful turn in Elle, Paul Verhoeven’s latest skewering of middle-class concerns, is let down by a psychosexual bent with no convincing basis.
‘Love activist’ Christina Stevens
A hug and a chat with the woman taking her message of love to the masses.
Food
Life
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Magnetic technology for early onset scoliosis
For sufferers of early onset scoliosis, new magnetic technology is helping to correct deformity without the need for multiple invasive procedures.
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The last days of the family-owned fun parks
Rising costs and diminishing interest have left many family-owned fun parks forgotten and forsaken, awaiting the developers’ wrecking ball.
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Pushing through: Adam Gotsis, 24, American football player
Melbourne-born Adam Gotsis on the high-pressure world of America’s NFL.
Books
The Quiz
1. Name the prime minister of Canada.
2. Which vegetable has varieties that include kennebec, sebago and Dutch cream?
3. Which mare was named the 2015-16 Australian Horse of the Year?
4. How many lines comprise the London Underground?
5. String theory is associated with which branch of science?
6. Who is featured on the new Australian $5 note?
7. Which politician has been the federal member for the Queensland electorate of Kennedy since 1993?
8. Name the most recent memoir by author Elizabeth Gilbert? (Bonus point for naming her 2006 debut memoir.)
9. What colour is the gemstone tanzanite?
10. What do thalassophobics have an intense fear of?
Quotes
COMEDY
“It was a brilliant perspective cartoon that made the point.”
The former prime minister defends Bill Leak’s cartoon of a drunk Indigenous man unable to recall his son’s name. People say Howard has no sense of humour, but he did make George Brandis sports minister once.
WORLD
“Unlike most of my colleagues down under, I’ll be cheering on a Trump victory.”
The deeply religious senator confirms he looks forward to the end of days and the fiery judgement it will bring with it.
EMPLOYMENT
“Andrew Robb was an outstanding trade minister. But Andrew’s left the parliament and he’s pursuing a career.”
The prime minister defends Robb’s choice to take up a position as economic adviser to Landbridge Group, the Chinese operator of the Port of Darwin.
LAW
“This is a constitutional matter, and boy am I sharp on the constitution (the real law of Australia) so this is right up my vegie patch.”
The One Nation senator squares for a High Court fight over the legality of his office. Culleton’s vegie patch is presumably just beside the tow truck whose key he stole.
CHURCH
“St Pope John Paul II had the last clear word on this and it stands, this stands.”
The head of the Catholic Church dismisses vicious rumours of his progressiveness, confirming that women priests will never be ordained in his faith.
SPORT
“They are going to make movies about this game, this series, this team.”
The retiring catcher from the Chicago Cubs celebrates winning the World Series for the first time in 108 years. You wait all that time to win just so Tom Berenger or Charlie Sheen can play you in the adaptation.
