October 14 – 20, 2023
News
Comment
Comment
Julia Gillard
An open-hearted ‘Yes’
“There are few forces more fundamental to human flourishing than belonging. The feeling of acceptance that comes from deep bonds of connection can be psychologically protective – an anchor steadying the ship. First Nations peoples are the oldest continuing culture on Earth, custodians of these lands for more than 65,000 years. Today, we have an opportunity to recognise that by writing the next chapter in our nation’s story.”
Comment
Daniel James
The unavoidable consequences of the referendum
“Today we will know. We will know what sort of country we want to be, whether the narrow path to victory for the ‘Yes’ campaign has petered out into a track to nowhere or whether, beyond the telling of every opinion poll, today will result in a rare successful referendum.”
Comment
John Hewson
Divided over disability care
“While there was consensus on how to create a more inclusive society for people with disability, the commissioners in the comprehensive inquiry that wrapped up last month were seriously divided on key recommendations. And that means despite the government’s initial enthusiasm for solutions from the royal commission, it may simply kick the report into the long grass, or the too-hard basket.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
The Influence
Anna Cordingley on Gordon Matta-Clark’s Conical Intersect
For theatre designer Anna Cordingley, Gordon Matta-Clark’s radical deconstruction of two Paris houses, Conical Intersect, is a continuing inspiration.
Fiction
Death doula
“Caroline was the death doula on Andrea’s books – a good concierge has at least one of every kind of service professional on her books – and when Andrea mentioned to Caroline that she was considering a career change, the death doula suggested end-of-life care. It’s a booming business, she said. And it’s only getting bigger. ”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Pets
“Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated.”
A spokeswoman for Jill Biden confirms the family dog has been removed from the White House after attacking another Secret Service officer. The real question is whom the president is now blaming for that smell.
Money
“He is undertaking a review to ensure that One Nation is compliant.”
The NSW upper house member announces a former Survivor contestant has been appointed to review One Nation’s finances. Allegations include that the party spent $1000 on postcards, which presumably all say, “Wish you weren’t here.”
Radio
“It can’t hurt to give them a chance.”
The shock jock announces he intends to vote “Yes” in the referendum. Sandilands couldn’t see a problem with the Constitution having just one more line.
Aviation
“We again apologise for those times where we got it wrong.”
The Qantas chairman announces he will leave the airline after sustained pressure from investors. Presumably they will hire him back through a shell company at lower rates.
Law
“It is perhaps a shrewd guess as to what a voter intended, but a shrewd guess is not enough.”
The lawyer representing Clive Palmer’s bid to have crosses count as informal votes in the referendum fails, with his client ordered to pay costs. Unfortunately, they ran out of time to litigate the question of penises drawn on the ballot.
FILM
“I was inspired to re-approach my film Australia … because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world.”
The director announces he has recut rushes from his film Australia as a six-part television series. For all the criticism the feature received, no one ever said it wasn’t long enough.
ISRAEL–HAMAS WAR
