December 2 – 8, 2017
News
Comment
Comment
Natalie Cromb
Date with enmity
“The rhetoric used by those in power is reductionist. It pits First Nations people against the rest of the community. This politics of division is convenient, because it allows the government to control messaging in a racially charged environment of its own creation while at the same time using saviour language. ”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Nationals turn on Turnbull
“The Courier-Mail says eight Queensland federal Nationals will divorce themselves from the LNP campaign at the next election. The eight are counting on Barnaby Joyce to win this weekend’s byelection in New England and to relaunch them in the bush under the old green and gold colours. It is eerily like the response from the Nationals 19 years ago.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
The fun of art with Kenny Pittock
Artist Kenny Pittock creates sculptures of everyday objects and sketches simple illustrations of fellow commuters, turning the domestic into the playful. “I work two days a week pushing shopping trolleys. I mean, that’s about as unglamorous as it gets, but I really like it. I like the people I work with and I like the shopping lists – that’s what’s really fun for me.”
Theatre
‘The Father’ at MTC and STC
John Bell delivers perhaps his finest performance as a man suffering dementia in Florian Zeller’s masterpiece The Father.
Portrait
Comedian Shane Mauss
“I’m pretty sure the two businessmen at the bar are listening to our conversation. Shane Mauss isn’t bothered. As a comedian he’s used to an audience, and, after completing a 111-city tour of his native United States in less than six months, the fact we’re talking about psychedelic drugs, as he does through his show, does not seem to trouble him.”
Food
Marinated mussels with green chilli and celtuce
“I think it’s probably relevant to talk about the weather. Summer’s here and the sunshine is a good excuse for mussels. These mussels are in a green chilli paste that I first started using on octopus in the restaurant. I’ve adjusted the recipe, deleting some of the salt and adding mussel juice. I tend to marinate the mussels on the day, but they can be marinated overnight to take on a slightly pickled quality.”
Books
Life
Travel
Lewes Bonfire
The rival bonfire societies of Lewes, East Sussex, vie to deliver the biggest spectacle of fireworks, costumed processions and burning effigies, in a working-class festival of rebellion.
The Quiz
Quotes
DEMOTIONS
“A recent audio recording shocked me, as it did not match my recollection of events.”
The Labor senator resigns as deputy whip after a tape emerged showing he misrepresented his misrepresenting of party policy regarding the South China Sea. In his memory of the conversation, he came across as more of a spiv.
MEDIA
“Sometimes as a minister you slap your forehead and say to yourself ‘What were these guys thinking?’ ”
The minister for communications criticises Triple J for moving its Hottest 100 broadcast from a date that marks the dispossession of Australia’s First Peoples. His criticism is misplaced, but the sentence does neatly describe cabinet process.
FAITH
“In recent days, we have seen too many senators once again prioritise politics over people.”
The head of the Australian Christian Lobby condemns the parliament for voting with the will of the people on marriage equality. It’s looking increasingly likely that he actually doesn’t understand how democracy works.
LAW
“It means these young people have the autonomy they deserve.”
The principal solicitor at the Inner City Legal Centre celebrates a decision that means transgender teenagers will no longer have to appeal to the Family Court to begin hormone treatments. There is no joke for this item: it is a win for human expression.
ABUSE
“He was a horrible, horrible man.”
The media executive excoriates Don Burke after multiple claims of sexual harassment were published. A better time to do that might have been when he was running the network Burke was on and the women alleging abuse were his employees.
BANKING
“Government’s policy remains the same until it’s changed.”
The prime minister announces a banking royal commission. His government has previously claimed such an inquiry would undermine confidence in the banking system and annoy his friends and donors.
