AN INSIDER’S OUTSIDE VIEW OF AUSTRALIAN POLITICS AND ECONOMICS.
The Lucky Country is an insider’s outside view of Australia’s most important political and economic debates. Hosted by The Australia Institute’s Chief Economist Richard Denniss, The Lucky Country is a weekly podcast from Schwartz Media which applies common sense to complex issues.
Find The Lucky Country on iTunes, on Android, via RSS or wherever you get your podcasts.
This week
Election 2019: the final hours
As election day neared, Scott Morrison proved to be relentless on the chaotic campaign trail, despite what the polls predict for his prime ministership.If Morrison believes he is going to lose, he is determined not to let it show, although the final week of his campaign also did not reveal the frisson and anxiety that surface when victory is clearly within reach, signals that had begun flickering in the other camp.
Exclusive: Labor tax plan faces block by Centre Alliance
If the Labor Party wins today’s election, it will likely need support to pass its reforms from Centre Alliance, whose senators have vowed not to back changes to franking credits.
Police raid at Hares & Hyenas building
For Melbourne’s LGBTQIA community, the police raid above the Hares & Hyenas bookstore – and subsequent serious injury of queer party organiser Nik Dimopoulos – has triggered memories of darker times.
Unusual secrecy around 1950s nuclear testing
Files documenting British nuclear testing in the 1950s have suddenly gone missing. Many who have studied this questionable period of history wonder why.
Stage advice from actor Hugo Weaving
During his illustrious career, Hugo Weaving has consistently returned to the STC stage, where he currently stars in Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The actor discusses his upbringing, his concerns about the local film industry, and sharing the stage with his son. “I thought Harry would be really good in the role. But I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want any sense of nepotism. I just don’t think that’s right.”
The Uluru Statement is a source of hope
As politicians look to exploit the fringes, and governments are reluctant to implement reforms, what chance do Indigenous issues have? Yet these questions are fundamental to who we are as a nation, as a people: identity, the legacy of history, the challenges of diversity and pluralism, whether government can be truly representative.
A brooding reluctance in voter-land
Bill Shorten began the week on an upbeat note, saying he had detected a mood for change. Constant opinion polling has reinforced his discerned wisdom but there is a brooding reluctance in voter-land. One of Shorten’s key strategists was quietly confident midweek of a Labor win, “but it’s a white-knuckle ride”. It is because Scott Morrison has proved a formidable campaigner and has been able to mobilise Australian voters’ fear of change.
You’ve got to admire the way the Nasty Party steadfastly wheels out Little Winston to wave, grin and hug people during election campaigns. He’s a reminder of things past and in a climate change election it’s good to be reminded that Winston for such a long time was a climate denier (aka sceptic). He resisted the Kyoto Protocol and stood against the implementation of legally binding carbon reduction targets.
Both leaders have attempted to cloak themselves in the charisma of their predecessors in this campaign. Scott Morrison with Menzies, then Howard. Bill Shorten first with Keating, now Whitlam. Neither has managed to breathe life into the public imagination in the way these leaders did. The way Bob Hawke, who passed away on Thursday, was able to do so effortlessly – with his extroversion and his boundless energy.
In the face of a serious challenge by independent candidate Zali Steggall, Tony Abbott is fighting to hold on to his place in parliament – and some of the campaign tactics have turned nasty.
Midterms shore up Duterte stronghold
China–US trade war ramping up. Fiji holds forum on climate change. Philippine midterm election results. Trump pressures Iran.
Malthouse Theatre’s Cloudstreet
Although the Malthouse Theatre’s production of Cloudstreet is flawed, its failings cannot overshadow the fundamental power of Tim Winton’s novel.
The penultimate episode of Game of Thrones generated enormous controversy among fans. Why has the HBO series provoked such strong feelings?
Queensland Ballet’s artistic director Li Cunxin
Sitting in on Queensland Ballet’s rehearsals with the company’s artistic director Li Cunxin.
Canada’s new 2019 healthy food guidelines illustrate what public dietary advice might look like without the influence of powerful food industries. Should Australia follow suit?
Working to reduce ACL injury rates
Australia has the highest incidence of ACL injuries in the world, with figures soaring in the past 15 years. So what are key sporting bodies and medical experts doing to reduce the risk?
