August 16 – 22, 2025
News
Comment
Comment
Alistair Allan
Murray Watt and the salmon industry
“In 2022, then environment minister Tanya Plibersek made a bold promise to the Australian public. It was a promise that had never been made before: there would be no new extinctions while the Albanese government was in power … Fatefully, one animal that many Australians had never heard of made the priority list. It was the Maugean skate, now much better known, which resides in the tannin-stained waters of a wild and remote harbour on Tasmania’s west coast.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Albanese moves cautiously on all fronts
“It’s pretty simple really: success in a liberal democracy like Australia comes when a political leader is able to bring a majority of the population on board with their agenda and responses to a crisis. Anthony Albanese, who entered parliament in the 1996 election that saw the Liberals’ John Howard win in a landslide, has proved himself an astute student of the Machiavellian arts as practiced by opponents and allies over the intervening years.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Choreographer Benjamin Millepied
Prolific French choreographer Benjamin Millepied, who is bringing a new version of the dance trilogy Gems to the Brisbane Festival, says dance is the bedrock of his life.
Poetry
Three poets
“Did the fury descend, or burst? Permian Extinction followed the Permian Eruptions; thus, precedence. I was pretty worried about dying during this long phase of my life, even underwater, greatly upsetting the bioluminescence. As a shrimp, I felt like a little kid. There were no libraries in the ocean then. I had to make do with wild hypothesis, skittering tra-la through the coral reefs and somehow knowing one day I’d wear a T-shirt saying, ‘I Survived the Permian’.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Law
“Dismissal in contravention of a general protection.”
The former chief executive of the Wiggles Group files a Fair Work claim in the Federal Court. They’ve got form, too, after forcing Johnny to work with one hammer.
Diplomacy
“This is a listening exercise for the president.”
The White House spokeswoman sets the expectations for the Alaskan summit between the United States president and Vladimir Putin. Other exercises include balance and being able to name the president.
Entertainment
“If you saw his performance at the end of the Olympics, he’s got family-friendly ways of doing that.”
The AFL chief executive offers context for the announcement that the grand final half-time entertainment will include US rapper Snoop Dogg. He has learnt much from Martha Stewart.
Royalty
“What the fuck are you doing now?”
The English royal berates council workers for installing speed bumps near the gates to his 31-room mansion. The only thing slowing him down is a life of well-documented molestation.
Conservation
“Delete old emails and pictures as data centres require vast amounts of water to cool their systems.”
The British MP suggests ways constituents can help save water. Coincidentally, it’s an excellent way to destroy public records.
Deaths
“With dry humour and sharp insight, David Stratton shared his love of film with our country.”
The prime minister marks the death of the celebrated film critic. He was 85.
