February 8 – 14, 2025
News
Comment
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Dutton looks to Oval Office for inspiration
“Dutton accuses Albanese of pandering to Greens and Islamic or Palestinian voters in urban electorates. The assertion could just as well be aimed at the opposition’s response, with an eye to winning back three seats from the teal independents.”
Comment
John Hewson
Truth in advertising should be an urgent priority
“Increasing calls for the truth to be upheld and protected in Australian politics have led to greater interest in truth-in-advertising legislation, to accompany the reform of campaign funding. Under existing legislation, it is legal to lie during an election campaign. There are simply no safeguards.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Journalist and documentary-maker Shiori Itō
The Oscar-nominated documentary Black Box Diaries, by Japanese journalist Shiori Itō, is a first-person account of her quest for justice.
Fiction
Kaleidoscope
“The boy’s lips moved, soft and quiet and constant. His eyes tracked the toy car he pushed along the table’s edge. ‘Melinda Bird?’ A doctor stepped up to the waiting room threshold, then leant in. Scanned the room. ‘Melinda Bird?’ I kept my eyes on the boy. His lips stilled. Turned inward. He flew his car over the table’s edge in slow motion and made the quiet, descending sound effects to go with it. Rain sprinkled the sunny window behind him, turning his corner into a kaleidoscope of rainbow globs. I closed my eyes, held the image. Breathed deeply and stood.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Politics
“I have made mistakes. People aren’t perfect.”
The New South Wales politician resigns after it was revealed she used her government driver for a 13-hour round trip to a winery in the Hunter Valley. In fairness, she was the transport minister.
Space
“We are not worried at all, because of this 99 per cent chance it will miss.”
The manager of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies comments on an asteroid that has a small chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. It still sounds pretty exciting.
Medicine
“The facts are, a life of cocaine abuse and partying are not the way to go.”
The radio host reveals he requires “immediate” brain surgery. The jokes sort of write themselves.
Media
“I thought they’re people of interest and I’m going to put it to air.”
The football personality responds after recording a podcast with prominent neo-Nazis Blair Cottrell and Thomas Sewell. Most people with a head like Newman’s wouldn’t hang around men who so clearly believe in phrenology.
World
“President Trump … is a big thinker and a deal maker.”
The opposition leader praises Donald Trump after the United States president proposed a takeover of Gaza. It’s possible he’s got a different understanding of what “big thinker” means.
Sport
“… I was terrified for my life.”
The soccer star testifies that she was locked in a taxi whose driver was erratically changing lanes. The trial continues.
