February 11 – 17, 2017

News

Senators Cory Bernardi and Pauline Hanson.

News

Rosie Batty, at left, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull following the announcement of federal funding to reduce violence against women.
Carlton’s Bella Ayre, at left,  congratulates Darcy Vescio on a goal during the Blues’ round one clash with Collingwood.
Betsy DeVos is sworn in as US education secretary by Vice-President Mike Pence this week.

Comment

Letters, Cartoon & Editorial

Cartoon

ReadCartoon image, links to full cartoon page

Editorial
Pell and fury

Letters

Living with compassion

In his review of Martin Scorsese’s film Silence (“Mission ecclesiastical”, February 4-10), Christos Tsiolkas draws attention to the novel of the same name by Shūsaku Endō on which the film …

Rural plight needs attention

Claire Connelly’s timely piece following the both ill-timed and ill-considered remarks of Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce in response to housing affordability should send a very salient message …

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Food

Read
Image for article: Blackberry mess

Food

Blackberry mess

A delicious dessert with a very honest name.

Books

Image for article: Storm and Grace

Kathryn Heyman
Storm and Grace

Image for article: Old Growth

John Kinsella
Old Growth

Image for article: Last Words

Barry Dickins
Last Words

Life

Image for article: The clown doctors of Lady Cilento

Health

The clown doctors of Lady Cilento

In hospitals throughout Australia a dedicated troupe of clown doctors dispenses therapeutic comic relief.

Image for article: Santiago, Chile

Travel

Santiago, Chile

The Melbourne Festival artistic director visits Santiago to scout for performances at a time when truths and freedoms are being upturned across the world.

Image for article: Shooting star: Belinda Snell, 36, basketballer

Sport

Shooting star: Belinda Snell, 36, basketballer

Veteran basketballer Belinda Snell on Olympic glories and bringing younger players into the game.

The Quiz

1. Which three United States presidents were born within 10 weeks of one another?
2. Which film has been adapted from a best-selling Australian novel by Craig Silvey?
3. How old were Roger Federer and Serena Williams when they won their 2017 Australian Open titles?
4. In computer language, what does the abbreviation DSL stand for?
5. What, beginning with ‘n’, is a medicine sold with false or exaggerated claims and with no demonstrable value?
6. Monterrey is the capital of a state in which country?
7. What is the official language of Mali?
8. Name the secretary-general of the United Nations. (For a bonus point, what is his nationality?)
9. In the musical My Fair Lady, where do hurricanes hardly ever happen?
10. Name the British Army officer and baron who is best known as the leader of the successful 1953 expedition to Mount Everest.

Click through for answers.

Quotes

PROFESSIONALISM

“I managed to do very nicely with every other fill-in except you.”

Andrew BoltThe conservative commentator complains that Miranda Devine is talking over him on radio. He threatens to hang up. Which would add female columnists to a list of hang-ups that includes: Aborigines, matrimonious gays and Malcolm Turnbull.

ART

“I have a new theory. Perhaps the Mona Lisa had syphilis.”

Jonathan JonesThe art critic for The Guardian offers a tenuous case for the Mona Lisa’s enigmatic expression, based on snail water the model bought 10 years after it was painted. Syphilis also neatly explains the workings of Jonathan Jones’s mind.

RESTRICTIONS

“Prohibiting full-face coverings intends to target all coverings used to terrorise the public. Remember the clown craze?”

Jacqui LambieThe Tasmanian senator pushes for a ban on facial coverings, which is obviously targeted at Halloween masks and not at Muslim women at all. Speaking of the clown craze, how is Clive Palmer?

POLITICS

“It is a sad day when someone leaves the family.”

George BrandisThe attorney-general reflects on Cory Bernardi’s resignation, somehow confusing the Liberal Party with the Mob, which explains the omerta held over his diaries.

EMPLOYMENT

“That’s a lot of postage stamps – I’ve got to do the calculation.”

Nick XenophonThe South Australian senator complains about revelations the head of Australia Post, Ahmed Fahour, is paid $5.6 million a year. It has not yet been explained to Xenophon that Fahour is not paid in stamps.

IMMIGRATION

“Labor cannot give Trump-like powers to a man that has such a high desire to see a divided Australia.”

Shayne NeumannThe Labor immigration spokesman says he will not support Peter Dutton’s proposed amendment to the Migration Act, which could force entire sections of the community to face revalidation assessments for their visas. There is no joke for this item.