May 10 - 16, 2014 | The Saturday Paper

News

The party donors ICAC doesn’t see

“It is very clear that there were those in the Liberal Party who resented the prohibition which had been placed on donations from property developers.”

Mike Seccombe The influence ICAC scrutinises is just the grubby tip. Here, we explore the iceberg of political donations.

News

Inside the mind of a paedophile

“I can tell you exactly how I was groomed. I didn’t know it at the time, but in retrospect it’s gruesomely transparent. ”

Martin McKenzie-Murray It’s an act so abhorrent people recoil at its mention. Martin McKenzie-Murray unpicks the stigma, and his own experience, to examine what is actually known about child abusers.

Treasurer Joe Hockey will have all eyes upon him, including those of Tony Abbott, when he delivers his first budget on Tuesday night.

News

Cracks in PM Abbott and Treasurer Hockey’s deficit levy

Sophie Morris Blame laying and calls for heavy lifting aside, it’s time for Joe Hockey to take ownership of the economy.

News

Silence on toxic emissions in mining towns

J.J. Rose Regulatory failures are exposing communities in mining towns to toxic emissions, a new report says. But pragmatism about jobs may be stifling dissent.

Director Jessica Hobbs with lead actor Richard Roxburgh on the set of the ABC’s Rake series, which has been remade in the United States.

News

Plans for Screen Australia will shortchange culture

Joyce Morgan A plan to slash Screen Australia funding, and merge it with the Australia Council, has the thriving industry in turmoil.

Tony Abbott and Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when they met in Jakarta last September.

Economy

Indonesia grows rich waiting for an apology

Hamish McDonald Indonesia named the world's 10th largest economy, with China meanwhile predicted to emerge as the world's largest economy by the end of this year.

News

The upsides to extending the pension age

Kirsty Simpson Extending the pension age; big four earnings hit $14.7 billion; the downsides of global community; Alibaba set to steal limelight.

Comment

Nick Feik
Tony Abbott: an unserious man

“The deficit levy proved Tony Abbott's talk about good governance and proper process, about being a government of no surprises, was empty rhetoric.”

Comment

Guy Rundle
18C and the bigot bang

Comment

Sophie Lewis
Making health insurance discriminatory

Letters, Cartoon & Editorial

Cartoon

Read

Editorial
Budget overdraws on ideology

Letters

Syme wrong on euthanasia

‘‘Daring the law for right to die’’ (Martin McKenzie-Murray, May 3-9) is a challenge to the rule of law in a democratic society. Rodney Syme’s public admission of suicide …

Legalising assisted dying the only way

The most valuable tool in palliative care is the priceless gift of peace of mind. Once Steve Guest had received Nembutal, he was in charge: “It rejuvenated him ... for a fortnight a …

Culture

Profile

Queensland Theatre Company artistic director Wesley Enoch on work, faith and family

Steve Dow As the first Indigenous head of a state theatre company, Wesley Enoch is used to breaking new ground. He’s also no stranger to controversy.

Film

Saved by Rogen’s joshing

Christos Tsiolkas

If only Bad Neighbours were better, funnier, more inspired. At least the stars shine.

Portrait

The personal touch of Jemma Birrell

Gretchen Shirm Artistic director of the Sydney Writers' Festival Jemma Birrell greets the writer, director and creator of Breaking Bad.

Food

Read

Food

Crème caramel

Andrew McConnell What better treat to serve Mum on Mother's Day than crème caramel.

Books

Malcolm Fraser
Dangerous Allies

Edward St Aubyn
Lost for Words

Robin Black
Life Drawing

Life

Science

All eyes on Pitch Drop Experiment

Wendy Zukerman Though too late for its veteran custodian, last month’s rare milestone in the world’s longest-running experiment caused excitement around the globe.

Gardening

Propagate and prosper

Helen Razer It may not be sexy, but nothing beats the satisfaction – or the economy – of growing plants from scratch.

Sport

Bondi brawler: James Packer, 46, fighter

This week James Packer defeated his long-time friend, rival and fellow heavyweight media mogul David Gyngell.

The Quiz

1. David Moyes was sacked last month as manager of which English Premier League football club?

2. The headquarters of fast-food chain McDonald’s is in a suburb of which major US city?

3. Which writers had works published under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell?

4. Americans call it kerosene; what do the British generally call it?

5. The acronym ICAC stands for…?

6. Who won this year’s Gold Logie for the most popular personality on Australian TV? (Bonus points for naming the winners of the most popular actor and actress awards.)

7. The metric system of measurement was first used officially in which country: (a) Australia; (b) New Zealand; (c) France; or (d) Germany?

8. Who was the last tsar of Russia?

9. Saudi Arabia has coastlines on what two bodies of water?

10. Which card game features the terms “the flop”, “the turn” and “the river”?

Click through for answers.

Quotes

SIGHTINGS

“Then they all fell on the concrete fence and I think the other guy broke his face … They were looking for teeth after he left.”

Chris WalkerA witness reports on Facebook what it is like to see James Packer beat David Gyngell half to death, apparently for the crime of leaving a news crew in front of the mogul’s house.

GEOGRAPHY

“I didn’t even know you were in fucking Australia.”

David GyngellThe Nine chief executive, for 35 years one of Packer’s closest friends, selflessly uses his face to ascertain James’s whereabouts.

BUSINESS

“David Gyngell has had and continues to have the full support of the board in his role as CEO of Nine Entertainment Company.”

David HaslingdenThe chairman confirms that while Gyngell definitely lost the fight, he will keep his $10 million salary at the network once owned by James.

MATESHIP

“Leave it, James. Just leave it.”

ManOne of Packer’s crew, either a security guard or a chauffeur or a passenger in his car, offers the sage wisdom of a bar at closing time.

HISTORY

“Good evening, and welcome to television.”

Bruce GyngellDavid’s father utters, in 1956, the first words to be said on Australian television – the medium that made Packer’s father his fortune. Little did either man know what entertainment would eventually look like.