March 19 – 25, 2022
News
Comment
Comment
John Hewson
Flogging a near-dead horse
“We have now entered the territory where governments throw policy integrity to the wind. That is, we are in the final days leading up to the so-called caretaker period, which starts from the point that the election is actually called, and during which governments are prevented from making any policy decisions.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Drag queen Courtney Act
Australia’s most celebrated drag queen, Courtney Act, is now moving to centre stage at the Sydney Theatre Company.
The Influence
Melissa Lucashenko
Keri Hulme’s The Bone People was the first book Melissa Lucashenko read that centred on an Indigenous voice.
Fiction
Three takes
“The child is juggling in the streets. His parents have dressed him in his best, but even these clothes have seen better days. His act is better suited to a circus than the city square, but for each day he comes here, he leaves at the end with his pockets filled with coins. I feel the need to say straight out that I don’t support this child-juggling, that to give him money is to encourage others to do the same.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Politics
“I’ve always been on the blue spectrum, and I didn’t think anyone owned colours!”
The member for Wentworth defends campaign material that borrows its colour scheme from the independents’ movement and limits references to the Liberal Party. He’s not teal, he’s just blue-curious.
Education
“Stop pussyfooting around the fact that the problem is the protection of teachers.”
The acting Education minister claims the problem with state schools is teachers “who aren’t up to the right standard”. His own career, of course, is built on competence and not a shared belief in a selfish god.
Image
“I’m not pretending to be anyone else. I’m still wearing the same sunglasses. Sadly, the same suits.”
The prime minister suggests Anthony Albanese’s weight loss proves he is an inauthentic person. The only thing unbelievable about Morrison is that he’s prime minister.
Trains
“I’m saying to the union movement: if you promise not to strike for another year, I’ll give fare-free Fridays for a full year.”
The New South Wales Transport minister gives an ultimatum to the rail union. This might seem rash, but another option would be to pay workers fairly.
Gambling
“I had concerns, but this was the response that had been discussed at a senior management level.”
The Star Entertainment Group’s assistant treasurer gives evidence about a practice that helped hide $900 million in Chinese gambling transactions. It is beginning to look like the house doesn’t always win.
Court
“ ‘Before this trip’s over, I’m going to choke a man to death with my bare hands.’ ”
A witness in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial recalls a conversation overheard when the two served together. Unfortunately for everyone, the trial continues.
