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Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Barnaby Joyce divides again
“The Morrison government was brought to the brink of collapse this week in a confrontation between the prime minister and reinstalled Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce. And while Scott Morrison emerged the undisputed winner after bruising negotiations over the shape of the ministry and direction of the government, the damage is far from repaired.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Theatre legend Jack Charles
A former thief and heroin addict, theatre legend Uncle Jack Charles has been part of some of the most important movements in Australian theatre history.
The Influence
Mama Alto
Cabaret artist Mama Alto talks about the influence of Taylor Mac’s A 24 Decade History of Popular Music on her life and work.
Fiction
Pass/fail
“She smells like adrenalin and painkillers, antiseptic and ointment. She has been irradiated. Across the left side of her back is another pink square, flecked with uniform dots of red rash. The radiation has gone straight through her body, straight through her heart. She’s holding your hand now the way you used to hold hers as a child, crossing the street, weaving through crowds. Gripping tightly, not wanting to get lost. ”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Lockdown
“I’m not sure that essential oils, for example, would really be essential.”
The New South Wales Health minister clarifies what he means when he asks people to only leave their house for “essential buying” during lockdown. Even Pete Evans was confused.
Vision
“Nice that you’re there, giving a bit of intellectual clout.”
The veteran broadcaster congratulates Barnaby Joyce on his new leadership role for the Nationals. There’s still a very good chance he meant “clot”.
Love
“Those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them, and that’s why I’ve got to resign.”
The British health secretary steps down after CCTV footage showed him engaged in a Covid-unsafe embrace with an adviser. He also left his wife, just to be sure.
Politics
“Reshuffle done from Danglemah this afternoon.”
The Nationals leader shares a photo of himself having a beer after reallocating his party’s portfolios. Danglemah, to be clear, is a town in NSW and not what Joyce calls his brain.
Court
“It’s a gut-punch. What does it say about women’s words, a woman’s value, all the lives that he damaged?”
One of multiple women who accused Bill Cosby of assault reacts to his release from prison. There’s no joke for this one: a court found he had made an earlier agreement with a prosecutor that was to prevent him from being charged.
Music
“I hope in distancing myself from them I am able to speak my mind without them suffering the consequences.”
The banjo player announces he is leaving Mumford and Sons so he can better express his right-wing political views. The man is as brave as a knitted vest.
