October 18 – 24, 2025
News
Comment
Comment
Sophie Scamps
Labor’s jobs for mates test
“Late last month, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used a speech at the British Labour Party’s yearly conference to define himself as a defender of ‘democracy itself’. He placed himself in this category alongside his ‘mate’, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. ”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Chalmers retreats on super reforms
“Soon after Labor’s thumping election win, Jim Chalmers was assuring doubters he would not be ‘changing policies we took to the election’. Within three months, however, that determination was undercut by Anthony Albanese quietly telling the treasurer to come up with a more saleable prescription on superannuation reforms.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Cabaret performer Le Gateau Chocolat
British cabaret and opera star Le Gateau Chocolat, who performs next month with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, uses drag to reach his audience’s hearts.
Fiction
Across the border
“On TV last night I saw a man with a cigarette in his mouth bend down and dismantle a roadside bomb in Ukraine. The road was grey and the trees dismantled by winter. On world cinema I watched Mads Mikkelsen put a hunting knife through one of the two men who raped his wife and cut the throat of their son. I was hoping Mads would – and he did. A satisfaction like warmth passed through me. Revenge. How sweet it is. A motorbike accelerates up the road. The camellias. The poor camellias in their trembling pink.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Welfare
“I would’ve studied that book, if it existed.”
The welfare academic notices AI hallucinations in Deloitte’s report on Centrelink’s debt recovery processes. Think of it as information averaging.
Court
“It is unfortunate I have to take this step in this long-running saga.”
The former senator begins bankruptcy proceedings against Brittany Higgins and her husband, David Sharaz. The move will allow Reynolds to make claims on their future earnings.
Media
“It’s a leftist bauble not worth having. It’s been devalued into meaninglessness, like the Pulitzer.”
The Murdoch columnist responds after Donald Trump did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The same leftists gave it to Kissinger and Obama.
Marriages
“I request that the court order Sia to pay me temporary spousal support in the sum of $250,856 per month.”
The former partner of Australian singer Sia details the financial terms he is seeking in their divorce. Whatever else, it would buy a lot of ketamine.
Royals
“… such an incredible sign of the strength of our partnership …”
The Duchess of Sussex addresses the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, DC. She was talking about her deal with Netflix, not her marriage.
Deaths
“A brilliant actress who time and again laid herself bare to tell our stories.”
The filmmaker pays tribute to Diane Keaton, who died on October 11. Keaton was 79
