April 6 – 12, 2024
News
Comment
Comment
Vicky Xu
How it feels to live under surveillance by China
“As I write this, I do not have a stable home address because my current solution to the problem is leading a nomadic lifestyle to stay a step ahead of Chinese Communist Party goons. I don’t know what their plans are if and when they catch up with me again.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Albanese’s Netanyahu phone call
“Early on Wednesday morning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, had what Albanese says was a very frank phone call. He says he demanded ‘full accountability and transparency’ over the death of Zomi Frankcom, an Australian aid worker in Gaza.”
Comment
John Hewson
Why is it legal for politicians to lie?
“The loss of faith in politicians and the political system has been the most conspicuous aspect of the hollowing out of democracy in this country. The time to fix it is now – with possibly less than a year before the next federal election – by attempting to restore trust with a program of genuine political reform.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Film director Ava DuVernay
The acclaimed Black American director Ava DuVernay has made a career of firsts – but she had to create her own ways into the film industry to do it.
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Politics
“I was always very wary of power and very wary of what it could do to you.”
The former prime minister reflects on his time in office. He has the self-awareness of a sea cucumber.
Literature
“If what I’ve written here qualifies as an offence under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested.”
The author challenges Scotland to use its Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act to punish her transphobia. You know you’re a bore when you have to go to Glasgow to get arrested.
Groceries
“I haven’t shopped at Woolworths ever since they announced they wouldn’t be supporting Australia Day.”
The One Nation leader expresses outrage that Woolworths does not stock the RSL’s Anzac biscuits. In fairness, you wouldn’t want them treating returned soldiers the way they treat farmers.
Media
“We, the great majority envy your courage, strength, commitment and the torture you must now endure.”
The media executive takes out a full-page advertisement to defend Ben Roberts-Smith. Torture’s probably not the ideal word.
Appointments
“I’m deeply honoured by this great privilege and look forward to representing the values, hopes and aspirations of all Australians.”
The business leader accepts her appointment as governor-general. There is no news on whether her partner sings.
Law
“In reviewing the excuses proffered by the Defendant … this Court finds that they are inadequate and not convincing.”
The New York Supreme Court justice dismisses Donald Trump’s attempt to delay his trial based on a defence of presidential immunity. Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records and being Donald Trump.
