October 3 – 9, 2020
News
Comment
Comment
Lidia Thorpe
After the virus: Fighting for our future
“The boundaries of what is politically possible have shifted, rapidly, during this pandemic. The conditions have been created for the most significant policy reforms in our history. No one wants to see what we are now weathering repeated. There is an appetite for change.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Changing gears in a two-speed economy
“‘The first thing Josh Frydenberg should do in next Tuesday night’s budget speech is say sorry,’ says Wayne Swan, the man whom the Liberals cut no slack after he failed as treasurer to deliver Labor’s promised budget surpluses. Neither a global financial crisis nor a massive collapse in export revenues were acceptable excuses to the Coalition back then.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Former Spice Girl Mel C
For Melanie Chisholm global fame came at a high price, but she lived to tell the tale. At 46, she has just released her eighth solo album, which she says is her most vulnerable yet. “All of that time I spent searching, trying to find myself, trying to move away from Sporty, I felt like that’s what I had to do: to become an individual I had to leave her behind.”
Poetry
Two poems
“At five, the doors click shut. Security / walks a final circuit and clocks off. The eyes / of the prominent are lost in the middle distance / beyond office, sports field or studio. Hair and skin / of oil, watercolour, polymer, the reassurance / of names everyone should know. Not ours / we are without shelter, without conservation. / But they cannot keep us out.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Aotearoa
“Yes, I did, a long time ago.”
The prime minister is asked during New Zealand’s leadership debate whether she has ever smoked cannabis. In a moment of chaos akin to the United States election debate, her answer prompted polite applause from the audience.
Politics
“I’ve been in the party for almost 40 years; I am too old to rat.”
The Labor right-winger says he won’t quit the opposition over its emissions target. Rather than rat, Fitzgibbon has chosen to termite, chewing away all the load-bearing beams in the party.
Advertising
“9pm, leggy. 2am, legless. Know your limits.”
An anti-binge-drinking ad campaign is spotted on one of the state police’s vans, featuring a young woman passed out. The advertising agency involved suggested “1980, sexist. 2020, sexist. Queensland Police” for the force’s next recruitment drive.
Relocation
“Such a shame because I really love Melbourne.”
The Baysider, known as “Karen from Brighton”, who shot to fame for her criticisms of the Andrews government, tells her followers she is moving to Queensland. A bright spot for Victoria after a couple of tough months.
Ablution
“I hope the cleaning of the stables continues in both the Vatican and Victoria.”
The cardinal praises the pope’s dismissal of a senior Vatican official over allegations of embezzlement. Ostensibly “cleaning of the stables” is what senior Catholics call moving abusive priests from parish to parish.
Vale
“Every word still relevant, no message dated, including we have ‘a long, long way to go’. Her legacy will endure. Hear us roar.”
Australia’s first and only female prime minister pays tribute to singer and feminist icon Helen Reddy, who died this week aged 78.
