September 23 – 29, 2023
News
Comment
Comment
Patrick Dodson
The Voice is a test of enlightened democracy
“The ‘No’ campaign’s confusing and foggy polemics about the Voice referendum have set me thinking. The thought is about those qualities that we uncritically ascribe to our Australian character: that we enjoy a fair go for all with no one left behind, that everyone is equal.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
The state of the ‘No’ campaign
“In the shadow of the National Library, inside the Parliamentary Triangle, the Yes23 organisers could scarcely believe their eyes as the crowd built for Canberra’s version of the Walk for Yes rally and march … Researcher Peter Lewis, of Essential, says even though his latest poll has ‘No’ with a slim majority (51 per cent) for the first time, this is not a prediction of the outcome in four weeks’ time.”
Comment
John Hewson
What the Australian dollar says about the economy
“Among the various pressures pushing up our cost of living, one that is often overlooked is the exchange rate, or the value of Australia’s dollar relative to other currencies. Our currency is usually quoted against either the United States dollar, or a basket of our major trading partners’ currencies, known as the trade-weighted index.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Actor Max McKenna
Max McKenna has moved past childhood introversion to self-acceptance and stage success, and is now starring in a historical comedy on SBS TV.
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Celebrity
“To see that transparency metastasised into something criminal, that I absolutely deny, makes me question: is there another agenda at play?”
The comedian says the sexual assault allegations against him were made because he is getting too close to the truth. It seems unlikely: the truth is almost certainly older than 16.
Voice
“We are trying to prevent the AEC from ‘stacking the decks’ in referendum.”
The senator announces his unsuccessful attempt to have the Australian Electoral Commission count crosses as “No” votes in the referendum. We’re not saying it’s a sideshow, but if Babet opened his mouth wide enough you could push balls in it to win toys.
Aviation
“The latest read I’ve got is that people want me to continue to do the role.”
The Qantas chairman rejects calls for his resignation. The people he’s talking about can’t be found right now but if you lodge a report with baggage services, they should be located and delivered within 48 hours.
Literature
“It has been written with a broader audience in mind.”
The former prime minister announces his forthcoming book, Plans for Your Good: A Prime Minister’s Testimony of God’s Faithfulness. He promises the book will not be about his political career – just other made-up stuff, like Jesus.
Pets
“A few breeds are essentially sharks on legs.”
The former opposition leader calls for laws against owning dangerous dog breeds. Banning pets is not a clear path to popularity, but then nor was sensible reform to franking credits.
Business
“It is a difficult decision and one I have been weighing up for some time.”
The former treasurer writes to constituents, announcing he will not seek preselection at the next election. Instead, he will serve the people of Kooyong more fully as chairman of Goldman Sachs Australia.
ISRAEL–HAMAS WAR
