April 10 – 16, 2021
News
Morrison fixed on tax cuts as US and Britain embrace big government
“What is clear is that, unlike their fellow conservatives in the UK, the Morrison government is not prepared to contemplate increasing taxation to help restore the budget balance.”
While the government pushes ahead with its major tax cuts, despite the pandemic, new analysis shows they will have a negative impact on women.
An electric vehicle factory that could have brought hundreds of jobs to Victoria’s struggling Latrobe Valley has stalled. But around Australia the lack of government support for EVs stands in stark contrast to other nations.
The federal government has finally addressed the Respect @ Work report. Its delayed response has been cautiously welcomed by those who hope for real change.
Melbourne set to overtake Sydney
Melbourne’s population growth means it could soon overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous city, which will have huge social and political implications nationally.
While the Morrison government makes gestures towards stronger protections for women, the number of homeless women aged over 55 continues to rise alarmingly – made worse by the pandemic, inaccurate economic modelling and poor superannuation policies.
Comment
Comment
Veronica Gorrie
Lessons from a decade as an Aboriginal cop
“I spent 10 years as a police officer, working in Queensland. My book, Black and Blue, recounts my time in the police as an Aboriginal woman, and my life as a single parent of three brilliant and amazing children. It also documents the racism I was subjected to throughout my career but also everything that led up to that point. ”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Playwright Joanna Murray-Smith
After a long and successful career, dramatist Joanna Murray-Smith returns to her roots with a new play opening this month at the Melbourne Theatre Company.
In Progress
Rhoda Roberts
One of the pioneers of Indigenous presence on screen, Rhoda Roberts has spent her life breaking barriers for First Nations artists. But with her new job, she may finally find some time for her own art.
Poetry
Two poems
“I know no culture, language or law can escape the quantum dream / of a world owned by night, turning us from partial light, full circle. / It is the way the day brightens yet summer birds dial out / their gentle, plaintive rituals across the valley. / Loyal and insistent, cicadas rouse, stuttering praise, hammering the point / all morning and all afternoon, / as everything falls apart. ”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Empathy
“I don’t think you can actually redesign people’s brains.”
The former Nationals leader expresses doubt about the effectiveness of empathy training. It’s not so much that you can’t “redesign” brains but that Joyce can’t afford to lose any more of his.
Fitness
“To suggest I am not an appropriate choice to be an assistant minister for Women is a form of madness we just should not indulge.”
The assistant minister for Women rejects suggestions her personal beliefs render her a poor fit for the portfolio. She’s a defender of many women but mostly Bettina Arndt.
Climate
“I gave the benefit of the doubt to the Liberals and the benefit of the doubt to Malcolm Turnbull and he pulled my pants down within 48 hours.”
The New South Wales Nationals leader expresses embarrassment at having recommended the former prime minister for the Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy board. Turnbull was sacked and Barilaro put his pants back on.
Race
“We all know that one week is not enough to shift levels of ingrained ignorance.”
The Indigenous actor describes her disappointment at the culture on the Neighbours set, where a fellow actor who used the N-word twice was subject to a week of workplace culture training. The N-word was not “neighbours”.
Law
“You make sure you don’t get into any more trouble.”
The Queensland magistrate allows a 21-year-old man to go free on bail – after being charged with seven counts of rape, three counts of administering a stupefying drug to commit rape, two counts of sexual assault and various other offences.
Driving
“The lovely but tipsy crew had been at the restaurant since lunch ... Said they’d pay. He said he’d give them a lift. Took them half the ride to discover who their driver was.”
The daughter of former prime minister Kevin Rudd explains how a group of men mistook her father for an Uber driver. To be fair, it took Rudd half the ride to realise they didn’t have a vote for the United Nations secretary-general selection.
