July 2 – 8, 2022
News
Comment
Comment
John Hewson
Preparing for future crises
“While the climate debate intensifies over the inevitability of further, even more extreme weather events, and the necessary transitions to a low-carbon Australia, it seems that governments are ignoring or playing down the possibility of further pandemics and the need to be better prepared next time.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
The Influence
Ben Lee
Every time musician Ben Lee revisits Donald Barthelme’s short story ‘The Balloon’, it reminds him what art is for.
Fiction
The fly on the wall
“Emma was a young ballerina at the Paris Opera. She was ethereal, intangible, diaphanous – as beautiful as a falling snowflake. She would bound and leap as if fashioned from the air itself, skimming over surfaces like a feather on the breeze. She danced in Le Papillon, where she was the heroine who was transformed into a butterfly.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Employment
“It is clear that my taking up this role is now not tenable with the amount of media attention this appointment has gained.”
The former leader of the New South Wales Nationals steps back from a $500,000 trade role in New York. America’s loss is nobody’s gain.
Homes
“We’re really delighted with the outcome and end product.”
The governor-general appears in a promotional video for the luxury builder who renovated his private home. He later said it was a mistake made “on the spur of a happy moment” – like sacking an elected government.
Education
“It turns out Marxists don’t like being called Marxists.”
The Liberal senator continues to claim the school system is run by “Marxists”. It’s possible she just doesn’t understand what unpaid labour is.
Protest
“These people are dumb, divisive, disrespectful and they’re bloody idiots who will face the full force of the law.”
The NSW premier condemns climate protesters. In fairness, he made these comments after a man drove into the protesters – so you can’t say he caused that.
Insects
“It’s a really difficult conversation to have and we want to make sure people are comfortable how it happens.”
The NSW minister for Agriculture announces an eradication zone to contain a varroa mite outbreak, which will involve destroying hundreds of hives. It’s amazing how often bad luck looks like climate change.
Literature
“When someone of his calibre dies, it feels like he belongs to the public.”
The author of a forthcoming biography of Frank Moorhouse reflects on his death this week. He was 83.
