November 1 – 7, 2025
News
Comment
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Sussan Ley and the joy of division
“There are concerns in the opposition and the government that Sussan Ley’s ‘weird’ attack on the T-shirt Anthony Albanese wore when he returned from the United States says more about her lack of authority in a divided party room than her ability to deliver reforms she once championed.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Television writer Sally Wainwright
Over a long and storied career, Sally Wainwright has created some of the most iconic television series of this century, from Happy Valley to Gentleman Jack.
Fiction
Winter and Pippy
“If this land was made by anyone, it would be you. You always had a crucial role. Woodend is the beauty of your making. Our mountain is grey like the freshwater pearls you wore just in case he came home. The wet mud looks like one of your letters to Dad, dropped in tea by accident. The clouds are whipped and ready for him to come running down the track. But it won’t lead the walker and rider through the valley and past our mountain, to you, sitting on the porch and reading.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Recognition
“I kept the name there as recognition because there’s so many minor parties out there.”
The party leader announces Pauline Hanson’s One Nation will be known simply as One Nation. Same racism but without the feminine touch.
Politics
“Net zero at any cost on any rigid timetable is not policy, it’s just ideology.”
The former prime minister adds to the debate on net zero. He’d be a little more enthusiastic if weapons were involved.
Rhetoric
“They are just a bin fire, and that fire is burning so out of control that if they are not careful, it is liable to melt the bin.”
The acting prime minister describes the Coalition. He may have fallen out with Bill Shorten, but he can still match his old friend for laborious zingers.
Families
“… we believe we have a duty of care to stand in this parliament and stand up for those rights.”
The former Nationals leader claims a bill to provide paid leave for the parents of stillborn children could be used for late-term abortions. He keeps trying, but he just can’t work out how babies are made.
Procedure
“David Pocock was always in here lecturing the rest of us … and he’s just gone and chucked the toys out.”
The environment minister complains after the independent senator moved to increase scrutiny in Question Time. What kind of man asks for access to a report the government promised to release years ago?
Environment
“Certainly it’s not our job to make a bad bill better…”
The shadow environment minister explains her approach to Labor’s environmental reforms. Actually, though, that is precisely the job of the opposition – it’s sort of the whole point.
