March 6 – 12, 2021
News
Comment
Comment
Bruce Pascoe
Bringing back Aboriginal industries
“By 2030, nobody was surprised that the farm machinery sector was holding up. Demand was through the roof from farmers who needed smaller, more flexible harvesters and threshing machines suited for differential seed sizes. Those in the know had seen this shift before when the chemical industry had seamlessly moved away from artificial fertilisers towards more organic supplies. ”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Christian Porter, accusations and denials
“It took one week for Australia’s first law officer, Christian Porter, to come out of hiding. In those seven days, he and his prime minister did everything to minimise the grave allegations of a violent historic rape. Porter has issued vehement denials and attempted the demolition of the claims against him. A dark cloud still enshrouds the government of the nation.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
In Progress
Bella Li
The poet and artist Bella Li says that if it weren’t for deadlines – and the inspiration provided by tennis players – she would never finish her work.
Poetry
Psalms of sleep
“The house won’t stand without foundations of trust / and the town won’t work if people guard only their own. / The insomnia that racks your life is a strange greed of wakefulness / so difficult to shake in the lateness where body eats dark and light alike. / And children are the gift that is the tree of life, O Lord, / growing through wakefulness and sleep alike. /In laying down their weapons the once powerful become more powerful / in claiming no more than the rights of their own consciences, in not owning their offspring. / For the children are peacefully and strongly marching against the violence / and rapacity of those who rule over them, and they ask for a chance to be heard. ”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Theatre
“I thought his performance was quite remarkable.”
The Home Affairs minister returns a positive review of Christian Porter’s press conference, in which the cabinet minister denied a rape allegation against him. He was silent on the terrible lighting design.
Law
“We run the rule of law based on police. On courts. On judicial systems. On rules of evidence. On presumption of innocence.”
The prime minister defends his decision not to hold an inquiry into the allegations levelled against Christian Porter. If it’s good enough for the comment pages of The Australian, it’s good enough for him.
Rhetoric
“I did, however, comment on news reports regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented.”
The Defence minister responds to reports that she referred to her former staffer, Brittany Higgins, as a “lying cow”. The prime minister later clarified that it had been a stressful week.
Celebrity
“Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine...”
The singer gets vaccinated and serenades the doctor who administered the dose, her friend Dr Naji Abumrad, to the tune of her hit “Jolene”. Consider this your one bright spot in this punch-in-the-face of a week.
Resignation
“I contacted him to seek his resignation as a minister and he has duly resigned.”
The New South Wales premier announces that her sports minister, John Sidoti, will step down before a public Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry. It makes you nostalgic for those days when actions had consequences.
A-okay
“I am aware that my comments have been interpreted by some in a way that I did not intend.”
The Defence Force chief apologises for suggesting female cadets should avoid the “Four As” – alcohol and being out after midnight, alone and attractive. For those still reading, the year is 2021.
