December 14 – 20, 2019
News
Comment
Comment
Peter Khalil
Australia should lead way on refugees
“Next week, the first United Nations Global Refugee Forum will take place, where member states will try to co-ordinate a response to the largest global refugee crisis since World War II. It is the first step towards a necessary international processing and resettlement agreement. Marise Payne, Australia’s foreign minister, has not committed to attending. Nor has the Morrison government made any public statement about what role Australia might play in the UN talks.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
PM’s clouded judgement on climate
“On a day when thick, acrid smoke made Australia’s largest city virtually uninhabitable, the prime minister claimed climate policy success. Scott Morrison told a news conference – which had been called not to respond to the crisis but to discuss the freedom of religions to discriminate – that ‘our actions on climate change are getting the results they’re intended to get’. No one could miss the irony.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Writer Lindy West
Using her brilliant wit as a tool for political activism, writer Lindy West has fought for social justice issues such as fat liberation and abortion rights. The author of Shrill – now an acclaimed TV series – and The Witches Are Coming speaks about her work. “There’s something intoxicating about being defiant, especially when you start to articulate all the ways in which your life has been made smaller and more difficult by systems of power.”
Music
Harry Styles’ Fine Line
Harry Styles’ second solo album, Fine Line, is at its best when the pop star reveals his vulnerable side, but the record needs some reining in.
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
RECREATION
“I will say today don’t take those pills.”
The NSW premier “closes the door” on pill testing at music festivals. In truth, she’s one of the few politicians you believe when they claim to have never taken a cap.
GEN Z
“I should not be the one to be person of the year, it should be everyone in the Fridays for Future movement ...”
The climate campaigner responds to being named Time’s Person of the Year. After the Nobel nomination, the only gong left is getting more Instagram followers than Millie Bobby Brown.
EMERGENCY
“Each bushfire season we take the advice of the states and experts about what we can do to keep Australians safe.”
The prime minister announces $11 million to assist aerial firefighting teams. A generous sum, about a fifth of what he gave the Captain Cook memorial.
LEADERSHIP
“I have never thought about my age or gender.”
The 34-year-old comments on becoming the president of Finland, leading a coalition of five parties, each headed by a woman. You can be sure all reporting on the win will mention their age and gender.
AMERICA
“I erroneously tweeted that President Trump had posthumously pardoned Charles Manson. Glad to have been wrong.”
The Democratic candidate corrects the record. She shouldn’t speak too soon though; her tweet is sure to give the president some ideas.
BRITAIN
“I’ll be with you in a second.”
The Conservative leader evades a question from a reporter before hiding in a fridge. Michaelia Cash, take note, that’s far more effective than a whiteboard.
