December 16 – 22, 2017
News
Comment
Comment
Richard Cooke
False Labor and the birth of Manus
“The Laborites’ Deep Concern has been applied to every death, rape and outrage since, along with fretting entreaties that the government be more “accountable” and “transparent”. This purely rhetorical stance evaporates the moment the Greens apply any real measure of accountability and transparency. Then, Labor rushes to protect the government, still terrified of the chimera of the western Sydney voter. ”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Political missteps over China
“This shift in government rhetoric and sentiment around China did not start with Dastyari and Bennelong. These two events have merely blown it out of any sane proportion. It can be traced back to the arrival of the mercurial Trump presidency worsening America’s paranoia about China’s rising economic power and influence in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Video artist Candice Breitz
On the eve of the NGV Triennial, artist Candice Breitz turned a work about refugees into a work of protest directed at the gallery’s security contracts. “While I am grateful for the immense support I have received from the NGV,” she announced, “it would be morally remiss, in light of the above knowledge, for me to remain silent in the context of the current conversation that is taking place around the Australian government’s ongoing and systematic abuse of refugees.”
Music
The 2017 Australian Music Prize
The chair of the Australian Music Prize judging panel presents his highlights of this year’s album longlist.
Portrait
Gender-equality activist Tasman Bain
“When I meet Tasman Bain I know, among other things, that he once gained the respect of various military advisers by eating 15 boiled potatoes at the Polish consulate in New York. I know that he is an advocate for young people and social justice, and is involved in international policy work, gender equality, human rights and sustainable development. ”
Food
“Nougat is common in Middle Eastern cuisine and Italian cuisine, but this version originated in the south of France. It’s chewy and more-ish, so be careful when you’re getting into the Christmas spirit in your kitchen that you remember you are making it to give away. Otherwise your stomach may be full but your stockings empty.”
Books
Life
Health
Virtual reality and dementia
Using gaming technology to transport carers and family members into the mind of a dementia patient is revolutionising understanding of this debilitating degenerative condition.
The Quiz
Quotes
ABUSE
“The sexual abuse of children is not just a problem of the past.”
The chair of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse delivers his final address. The commission is one of the largest and most important legal undertakings in this country’s history.
CHARACTER
“He is a family man, he is a good man to deal with. I adore the man.”
The disgraced gardener defends Barnaby Joyce over handling of a veterinary products and pesticides agency. Next up is Genghis Khan’s view of Shirley Temple.
FINGERS
“Don’t get too excited. It looks like I have been hacked. AFP now investigating.”
The former treasurer explains how he came to like a social media post calling Malcolm Turnbull a “cranky prick”. It’s not Christopher Pyne’s porn, but it did get some in the Coalition excited.
POLLING
“I do regret having said it.”
The prime minister reflects on using the measure of 30 bad Newspolls as a reason for challenging Tony Abbott. At this point, though, actually being prime minister seems the bigger mistake.
CAREERS
“I’ve been guided by my Labor values, which tell me that I should leave if my ongoing presence detracts from the pursuit of Labor’s mission.”
The senator and figure of the NSW Right resigns after misleading the public and sharing security information with a Chinese businessman who also happened to be an enormous party donor. After all that, he should probably stop letting “Labor values” guide him.
REPLACEMENTS
“You can ask me any way you want. I’m not ruling anything in or out after the polls come in on Saturday night.”
The former NSW premier refuses to say whether she will take Sam Dastyari’s senate spot if she loses this weekend’s Bennelong byelection. No news as to what is on offer for John Alexander should he come in short, but it is understood RSL bookers have been approached about his stand-up material.
