February 3 – 9, 2018
News
Comment
Comment
Liz Conor
#MeToo, corroboration and rape law
“#MeToo’s corroboration of multiple accusers offers women a chink of light in this judicial impasse. In this entirely untested extra-legal and post-hoc process, millions of women have made abundantly clear that corroboration is solidarity. The onus is now on law reformers to listen to this core articulation of #MeToo – embrace corroboration and change rape law to admit prior convictions as evidence. ”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Shorten outpaces Turnbull on vision
“Attorney-General Christian Porter seemed unwilling to replicate ICAC federally. Politicians nobbling such a body would be a very bad look, almost as bad as refusing to set one up now that it is squarely on the table. And that’s the challenge Shorten has given Turnbull. Parallels with Turnbull’s long reluctance to set up a banking royal commission are certainly not misplaced.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Theatre director Ivo van Hove
Theatre director Ivo van Hove is often drawn to adapting film screenplays for the stage, but his latest work, juxtaposing three warrior kings from Shakespeare’s histories, shows he also finds contemporary relevance in the classics. “Richard III just wants to be king, but once he’s got the crown, he’s totally bored. He can only reign, only live, only feel in order to have power.”
Books
Life
Health
Rewards and fitness apps
Businesses have introduced reward schemes into health and fitness apps, even in the form of charity donations, but can such programs promote lasting lifestyle changes?
The Quiz
Quotes
RACE
“All points of view were canvassed including those of … Mr Andrew Bolt himself and backbench members of the government.”
Documents obtained by the ABC show Andrew Bolt was consulted over changes to the Racial Discrimination Act. Bolt denies it, but then he also says he’s not a racist.
RIGHTS
“I would also like [the National Security Committee] to consider whether amendments should be made to a suspect’s right to remain silent.”
Other documents obtained by the ABC show the former attorney-general suggested removing the right to silence. Ruddock made the suggestion while Mohamed Haneef was being held without charge, and, presumably, while wearing his Amnesty pin.
WELFARE
“It is not clear that there is a strong evidence base for this approach.”
The then minister for social services prepares a briefing for Tony Abbott on cutting welfare to people under 30, revealed in documents obtained by the ABC. The same could be said about whatever Andrews is doing with his hair.
CABINET
“We consider that producing cabinet-related documents to any court or tribunal … would not accord with legal practice and principle.”
The chief counsel at the Australian Government Solicitor argues against handing cabinet documents to the home insulation royal commission, according to documents obtained by the ABC. Better to leave them in second-hand furniture shops.
SOURCES
“It begins at a second-hand shop in Canberra, where ex-government furniture is sold off cheaply.”
The national broadcaster reveals the source of its multiple cabinet leaks this week: two second-hand filing cabinets, found in a Fyshwick shop. Such is the worth of government legacies.
RAIDS
“This was the outcome of a co-operative arrangement between the ABC and the Australian government – it was not a raid.”
The aptly named department confirms it has secured the documents held by the ABC. They no doubt long for a time when it was politicians who were for sale and not their furniture.
