December 11 – 17, 2021
News
Comment
Comment
Tony Windsor
A letter to future independents
“So you want to be an independent in the next federal parliament. You’ve had enough of the two-party game-playing of the Westminster system and believe there should be a better way of doing politics, something different to the traditional headbutting and pointscoring. You’re sick of the way in which the major parties impose political staffers and time-servers on the electorate. This article gives you some idea of what you may expect during the campaign and, if successful, what to expect if elected. It is based on the experience of someone who was an independent at both state and federal level for 22 years.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
White knuckle dragger
“Three years after winning the leadership, the reality is setting in about Scott Morrison. The chance of him winning again are slimmer than before. The idea that he is a government unifier and a change from Malcolm Turnbull has shifted. The photo opportunities aren’t cutting through anymore.”
Comment
John Hewson
What Adrian Mole tells us about Scott Morrison
“Surprisingly to many, the Coalition has consistently maintained its poll lead over Labor on the question of who would be ‘preferred economic managers’. Although there are a host of other issues that will feature in the coming election campaign – most relating to questions of integrity, accountability and climate change – Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg will undoubtedly seek to run on economic management.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
The Influence
Jonathan Jones
For artist Jonathan Jones, Aunty Esme Timbery’s striking shell works are a direct line to Aboriginal artmaking traditions at La Perouse.
Fiction
New Year’s Day
“When Federico wakes up, the sun is beginning to make its descent towards the horizon. He looks at his watch. It is 5 o’clock. Amore, how could I have slept for so long? He looks across and sees Gina sitting on the bench. In the late afternoon light, she is radiant in her floral dress and hat. Gina? Is this really you?”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Race
“I thought it was topical ... Like any Halloween costume, I guess you’re trying to excite people, entertain people.”
The Andrew Laming staffer explains why he came to a party dressed as Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager acquitted after shooting two Black Lives Matter protesters. He does look remarkably like Rittenhouse, which is a big part of the problem.
Politics
“The rest of the free world, please stand with us, please support us.”
The Queensland MP calls for international protest outside Australian embassies, to condemn public health measures. No one in the history of the world has ever been more disenfranchised by being in government.
Court
“Our team has been pretty surprised at how aggressive the government has been in this matter.”
The Liberal Democrats candidate says his party will go to the High Court after being told its name was too similar to the Liberal Party’s. There are further concerns over his surname and a popular abbreviation of the term ridiculous.
Sport
“In fact, no one would care whether they come or not.”
A spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry dismisses Australia’s announcement of a diplomatic boycott of China’s Winter Olympics. It’s true – but China also shouldn’t be abducting athletes who credibly accuse officials of abuse.
Automobiles
“I love utes. How good are utes? And how good would a big ute be? That’s what I’d say.”
The prime minister voices his support for a “big ute” in Geelong. His own government’s policies have ensured that making a novelty vehicle on a stick is the only way a car-manufacturing industry will be restarted onshore.
Finland
“I did wrong. I should have considered the situation more carefully.”
The Finnish prime minister apologises for leaving her work phone at home and clubbing until 4am, so missing a notification that her colleague had tested positive for Covid-19. Globally, this is still gold-standard for responsible government.
