April 4 – 10, 2020
News
Comment
Comment
Barry Jones
We need more democracy, not less
“The coronavirus pandemic has shown that profound social change is possible. It has caused a dramatic transformation in the way major problems are addressed, not only by government, but also in the ways we live, work, travel, purchase, entertain ourselves and interact with others. Long-ignored questions have become suddenly vital.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Coalition’s seismic economic shift
“The earth moved on Monday, when the coronavirus pandemic opened up a wide chasm between Australia’s governing Coalition and its political substructure. Don’t take my word for it, take the prime minister’s: ‘We are living in unprecedented times with the twin battles that we face and that we fight against the virus and against the economic ruin that it can threaten. This calls for unprecedented action.’ In one fell swoop the commitment to small government and privatisation, to the eradication of debt and deficit as the measure of fiscal rectitude and efficiency, tumbled into the abyss.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Ronnie Scott on the ties that bind
In his debut novel, The Adversary, Ronnie Scott explores the intense friendships and social rituals of young gay men. Here, he talks about trying to read the unspoken intentions of others, and the unintended consequences of our everyday behaviour. “Of course, it makes sense that people would want to decode others,” Scott says. “Hitching your fate to another person or letting someone into a really private part of your life … is an act of trust.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
TRUST
“How does anyone trust the outright conspiracy theorists?”
The Fox News anchor, who declared Covid-19 a “deep state” plot before insisting people who vape were immune to its effects, shares his disbelief at the misinformation being spread about the pandemic.
NAIVETY
“You have a traffic jam of people queueing up – we shouldn’t be having contact with anyone – it’s just ridiculous.”
The Victoria Police deputy commissioner explains why police were called to a Geelong brothel on Wednesday. The owner reportedly told officers he wasn’t aware of new social distancing laws.
STIMULUS
“Jigsaw sales are soaring, I understand.”
The prime minister reports back on his boldest attempt yet to keep the economy afloat during the pandemic: persuading parents their children will quietly enjoy doing puzzles at home for the next six months.
DICTATORSHIP
“It upholds EU values, rule of law, press freedom.”
The Hungarian government spokesman responds to criticism of new laws that will allow President Viktor Orbán to rule by decree indefinitely and jail anyone he deems to be spreading false information about the pandemic.
SCIENCE
“I have some electronic equipment but really no experience or expertise in building circuits or things.”
The Melbourne astrophysicist lays out his qualifications for inventing a necklace that warns its wearer when they are touching their face, a project that landed him in hospital with four magnets stuck up his nose.
REINVENTION
“The old system was drafted for a pre-pandemic time.”
The Education minister explains what prompted the government’s decision to introduce free childcare for working parents. Presumably, before Covid-19, people didn’t have kids and jobs.
