April 11 – 17, 2020

Prime Minister Scott Morrison holds up a coronavirus isolation declaration card as he addresses the media on March 27.

News

The other holes in Australia’s quarantine

“Airline passengers potentially infected with coronavirus were able to fan out across the country last month without immediate follow-up in some places, as details from the government’s isolation declaration cards were not universally passed on.”

Karen Middleton As a police probe begins into the Ruby Princess, details emerge about other gaps in Australia’s quarantine response, including the use of isolation declaration cards.

News

News

What’s next for George Pell

“This is not the end of the Pell matter. There is at least one civil case waiting. There is also the possibility Pell will seek an ex gratia payment from the state of Victoria or sue for malicious prosecution.”

Rick Morton While the High Court this week quashed the cardinal’s conviction for child sexual abuse, there remain several fronts on which the legal battle may continue.

Image for article: The Greens’ New Deal

News

The Greens’ New Deal

Paddy Manning As policymakers puzzle over how to wake up Australia’s economy from ‘hibernation’, the Greens believe the solution lies in massive renewable energy investment and a Green New Deal.

Image for article: Gambling giant Tabcorp seeks rent relief

News

Gambling giant Tabcorp seeks rent relief

Lisa Martin While some predict a dangerous boom in online gambling during the coronavirus lockdown, Tabcorp, with revenue totalling $2.91 billion at the end of 2019, has asked its commercial landlords for a rent suspension.

Image for article: Angus Taylor’s energy projects push

News

Angus Taylor’s energy projects push

Mike Seccombe With the nation’s focus fixed on the fight against Covid-19, Energy Minister Angus Taylor has forged ahead with a new program that includes measures designed to prop up coal-fired electricity generators and weaken environmental protections.

Image for article: Dominic Raab takes reins as Johnson has stint in ICU

World

Dominic Raab takes reins as Johnson has stint in ICU

Jonathan Pearlman Britain being led by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab as Boris Johnson remains in hospital. Cyclone Harold wreaks havoc on Pacific islands. Authoritarian and anti-democratic regimes try to control Covid-19 information. Coronavirus pandemic and international emissions targets.

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Opinion

Opinion

Kevin Rudd
Australia must fulfil its regional obligations

“Earlier this year, I wrote that I feared the situation in China would become the reality across the rest of the world in March and April. That, unfortunately, is now what is unfolding before our very eyes. But if there is to be a third wave of this crisis, it will now be what happens in much of the developing world – including on Australia’s own doorstep.”

Opinion

Paul Bongiorno
A long road to recovery

“The federal parliament came out of hibernation midweek to commit a mind-boggling $130 billion to saving the jobs of millions of workers. But there is a six-month limit on the emergency wage subsidies, with Scott Morrison desperate for a way out of the economy-destroying containment of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Gadfly

Richard Ackland
Gadfly: Justice deserts

Letters, Cartoon & Editorial

Cartoon

ReadCartoon image, links to full cartoon page

Editorial
A note on George Pell

George Pell has not been found innocent. It is wrong to say so. The High Court accepted his appeal on the basis of reasonable doubt.

Letters

Corporations and the future we wish for

The Australian government sends arrow prayers aloft as it implements the strategies it believes necessary to save capitalism from the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. While the general population …

The same old story

An uplifting Karen Middleton article with people of influence seeing ways ahead, then you realise people such as the IPA’s John Roskam push only the same old prejudice for their second-class society.

– …

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Culture

Books

Image for article: The Dickens Boy

Tom Keneally
The Dickens Boy

Image for article: The Glass Hotel

Emily St John Mandel
The Glass Hotel

Image for article: The Dictionary of Lost Words

Pip Williams
The Dictionary of Lost Words

Life

Image for article: Cornichons and quick red onion pickle

Food

Cornichons and quick red onion pickle

Annie Smithers

Image for article: Antibiotic misuse and resistance

Health

Antibiotic misuse and resistance

Cat Rodie The discovery of antibiotics almost a century ago was one of the most important breakthroughs in medical history. But as new research shows, we’re not using them responsibly and that could lead to dire outcomes.

Puzzles

The Cryptic

link to this week\'s crossword

Crossword No. 296

The Quiz

1. Which Bobbie Gentry song features the lyrics, “There was a virus going round; papa caught it, and he died last spring”?
2. How many Australian prime ministers’ surnames begin with the letter ‘C’? (Bonus points for naming them.)
3. What does the German word kirche translate to in English?
4. In what year did the RMS Titanic sink?
5. Who wrote the short story “The Little Match Girl”?
6. Name the Olympic champion who in February received an eight-year doping ban from swimming.
7. Which Edgar Allan Poe poem begins: “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.”
8. Which US state is nicknamed the Silver State: (a) Nevada; (b) California; or (c) Arizona?
9. What element does the chemical symbol Cu represent?
10. Which city was built on the traditional lands of the Eora people?

Click through for answers.

Quotes

SENSIBILITY

“We’re not making it unlawful to go for a run and eat a kebab.”

Mark McGowanThe West Australian premier emerges as the voice of reason amid the coronavirus panic.

SPORT

“This is only the opinion of lawyers.”

Alexei SorokinThe 2018 World Cup organiser denies bribes were paid to secure votes for Russia’s bid to host. The opinionated lawyers, from the United States Justice Department, this week set down an indictment against Russia and Qatar.

LEISURE

“I live in a very built-up area in Sydney with high density and here I have windows that can open so I can have the fresh air.”

Don HarwinThe New South Wales Arts minister offers an explanation for being found at his $1.3 million holiday house after Premier Gladys Berejiklian told the state to stay home during Easter.

VALEDICTION

“I wish I could give you better news, but I think you know the truth.”

Bernie SandersThe Vermont senator bows out of the race for the US Democratic nomination.

INNOVATION

“For last 2 weeks I’ve had all symptoms of C19 (tho haven’t been tested) & did this on doc husband’s advice. I’m fully recovered & technique helped a lot.”

J. K. Rowling

The Harry Potter author spruiks a technique known as “controlled coughing”, which experts say could actually help spread Covid-19. Obviously, these “experts” have never heard of an Impervius Charm.

BENEVOLENCE

“Sorry I’m not dressed a bit better, but I didn’t expect this.”

George PellThe cardinal greets camera crews who stopped him at a service station on the way to Sydney. Presumably his apology also extended to families who had to navigate the Melbourne Response.

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