October 7 – 13, 2023
News
Comment
Comment
Polly Hemming
Australia’s compromised climate negotiators
“Behind the apparently loveable and unassuming facade, Australia, as a nation state, is very sophisticated at a few things. Protecting our gas and coal industry is one of them. Our climate policies are all designed to protect fossil fuels – whether rebranding as a renewable energy superpower or feigning ambition through an increased climate target or a thriving carbon offset industry.”
Comment
John Hewson
The enduring stain of the White Australia policy
“The White Australia policy stands out as probably the most significant blemish on this country’s national character and unity, as well as its global reputation, with continuing consequences today. It has been said that latent racism, carrying echoes of White Australia, persists across the country and all walks of life.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
The many lives of Lindy Morrison
Feminist, activist, musician and Go-Betweens drummer Lindy Morrison was a tumultuous force in the Australian music industry from the very beginning.
The Influence
Anandavalli
The biggest influence on Sri Lankan–Australian Anandavalli’s international dance career was the implacable determination of her mother, Lingambikai.
Fiction
The King’s White Hound
“My breed is extinct now and in any case this tale is coming to you from the cloud of history. I don’t speak up often. But there has been so much talk across the centuries about whether the Duchess was poisoned that I have decided to set the record straight. Was the dear lady, in her silken cerulean gown, with the silver lace glinting in candlelight, actually poisoned?”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Memories
“Many will recall Tony Abbott’s poignant words during his final press conference in the top job, when he said, ‘I have rendered all, and I am proud of my service’.”
The opposition leader finds time to write an essay for The Spectator, celebrating his former leader. It’s a shame irrelevance doesn’t keep him busier.
Politics
“As a fiscal conservative, I’m angry. As a woman, I’m deeply frustrated.”
The Republican representative for South Carolina explains why she voted to remove US house speaker Kevin McCarthy. Inside each of us are two wolves, etc.
Sport
“My memory is not good. I didn’t think about it.”
The snooker champion explains why he was wearing brown trousers at an event that stipulated he wear only black. Without knowing anything at all about the sport, you could say he snookered himself.
Mining
“Don’t think you won’t be forced to ‘pay the rent’. It’s already happening in Western Australia.”
The mining magnate warns against a “Yes” vote. Spoken like a man who famously has never paid rent on the fortune he has already been allowed to steal from this country.
Relevance
“Please let me repeat, I have no choice left but to remain with NO.”
The entertainer repeats that his position on the Voice has returned to “No” a week after it was switched to “Yes”. For a man who hasn’t updated his act in 50 years, it’s a lot of excitement.
Britain
“The lower the better.”
The former British prime minister celebrates as more conservatives break away to her rebel alliance, the Growth Group. It’s not clear if she’s talking about taxes or intelligence, but frankly it’s the same thing in this case.
ISRAEL–HAMAS WAR
