December 7 – 13, 2024
News
Comment
Comment
Mostafa Azimitabar
Migration bills spread fear
“I work at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and on this day I was supposed to talk about Magritte – the exhibition that’s on at the moment. I had a half-hour break time and was getting ready for my talk when I looked at my phone. I saw a message from a friend that parliament was going to pass the new migration laws. I was shocked when I saw the news. It is heartbreaking.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Election fight starts to get serious
“The prospect of the Dutton-led Coalition finishing a nose ahead of Labor raises fascinating possibilities on how it would get enough of the cross bench to support it in minority. Midweek, Dutton warned ‘a vote for the teal independents is a vote for Anthony Albanese’. More likely it would be a vote against Dutton and his policies, particularly on climate action. So far he has made no discernible effort to win back those voters who deserted the Liberals for the socially progressive independents.”
Comment
John Hewson
We need a real sovereign wealth fund
“The Future Fund is Australia’s version of a sovereign wealth fund. Established in 2006 from the proceeds of Telstra’s sale and boosted by budget surpluses, it represents our national savings. Why then should Australians be content to see it support the damaging industries of tobacco, pokies and weapons manufacturers, and fossil fuels?… Why shouldn’t the government make Australia’s Future Fund a genuine sovereign wealth fund, to ensure the benefits of our resource developments and budget discipline are realised for all Australians?”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Anora writer and director Sean Baker
With his Palme d’Or-winning film Anora in Oscars contention, independent director Sean Baker is cutting a path that could take him to the very top.
Theatre
Round the Twist the Musical
Queensland Theatre’s adaptation of Round the Twist winningly reimagines this much-loved classic for a 21st century audience.
Poetry
Five poems
“He mows the backyards of this
country town in a strictly
conventional fashion: up and
down, up and down, up and
down. After many hot and lonely
summers, he changes his
technique and begins to mow in
circles from the outside in, each
subsequent circle becoming
smaller than the previous one,
until he finally reaches the precise
centre of the universe, stands atop
his lawnmower and raises his
arms to the night sky.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Music
“What’s on your Spotify Wrapped?”
The prime minister posts his top five songs of the year on X. Posting an open question on this platform might be his boldest move yet as prime minister.
Environment
“The EPA can’t explain the source of the human waste causing the fatbergs and it can’t assure the public that Sydney’s beaches are safe to use.”
The NSW Greens spokesperson criticises the Environment Protection Authority’s response to the balls reappearing on the city’s shores. Honestly, no one wants to know the source.
Integrity
“It is a political sport, but that doesn’t make it right and I think it is a leading reason why people don’t enter politics.”
The New South Wales premier comments on his referral to the corruption watchdog. The real reason might have more to do with general disillusionment, but it’s a chicken and egg sort of question.
Publicity
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mr Johnson has to travel back to the UK a day earlier than planned.”
The publicist explains that the former British prime minister has had to cancel the Melbourne leg of his Australian book tour. Unforeseen by some, perhaps, but the clear-sighted might have noticed Unleashed wasn’t the best choice of title.
US politics
“My husband tells me I should think through things a little bit more, but Pete and I are both very passionate people.”
The mother of Trump nominee for defence secretary Pete Hegseth appears on Fox & Friends to explain her angry email to her son over his second divorce. It’s a solid distraction from the allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual harassment.
Power
“Have you no shame?”
The opposition Democratic Party spokeswoman poses the question as she grabs the barrel of a rifle wielded by one of the soldiers sent to block South Korea’s National Assembly following the president’s botched declaration of martial law.
