October 19 – 25, 2024
News
Comment
Comment
José Ramos-Horta
The real meaning of security
“Language is a truly fascinating phenomenon – it is fluid and constantly evolving. We are barely aware that, as we are shaping its evolution, language is shaping us – individually and collectively. This is what makes it such a potent political tool.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
PM’s property purchase a political own goal
“Own goals were the order of the week for Australia, both on the soccer pitch and in federal politics. For the Socceroos the one-all draw with Japan in the World Cup qualifier was more of a victory than a disaster. The same cannot be said of Anthony Albanese’s purchase of a $4.3 million clifftop mansion at the height of a housing affordability crisis.”
Comment
Stan Grant
Turning to T.S. Eliot amid the horrors of war
“T. S. Eliot wrote that humankind cannot bear too much reality. We follow the elusive bird as it flits from tree to tree, leading us to imagined new worlds, alternate pasts and futures not foretold. We chase the sound of phantom echoes, music unheard. We gaze into drained pools filled with water from sunlight.”
Comment
John Hewson
The trap of student caps
“Reform of the university sector must include the government and other – business and philanthropic – funding of research. The cuts to funding of both the teaching and research activities of universities is having very significant negative longer-term consequences on our society.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Composer and musician Qais Essar
Award-winning composer and musician Qais Essar – who tours Australia this month – is bringing the ancient voice of the rabab into the contemporary world.
Fiction
The clinic
“When they arrived at the gates, some resisted and were arrested. Others tried to negotiate and were swaddled in rugs and treated for concussion. I tried to avoid the chaos but could still hear the shouting and see the flares; and I could still smell the smoke. I made countless errors at the clinic that night. Some saw this as the expression of an unconventional sense of humour. I was not feeling myself.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Law
“The only shot he’d probably ever have in making money is by going on OnlyFans or something silly like that.”
The lawyer representing Bruce Lehrmann describes her client’s financial state. It’s not the most upsetting part of this case, but it’s close.
Employment
“As Prime Minister I was passionate about the Australian space sector’s potential…”
The former prime minister announces he has become group non-executive chairman of the private exploration company Space Centre Australia. This will be his second benevolent friend in the sky.
Comedy
“You can’t say certain words, whatever they are, about groups – so what?”
The comedian retracts an earlier statement where he said the “extreme left” had killed comedy. He wouldn’t say what the words were, but the guy who played Kramer apparently knows a lot of them.
Politics
“I’ve not been the best version of myself. I’ve not been the best version of David Speirs.”
The former South Australian Liberal leader announces his resignation after being charged with drug offences. The best version of David Speirs is more pure.
Housing
“Jodie’s a Coastie. She’s a proud Coastie.”
The prime minister explains why he and his partner bought a $4.3 million house on the New South Wales Central Coast. It’s hardly his fault if at Copacabana he fell in love.
Media
“Abuse of power, bullying, sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct is not okay.”
The chair of Nine Entertainment responds to a damning report into workplace misconduct. The accounts are so ugly it’s as if the culture was built by Kerry Packer.
