July 20 – 26, 2019
News
Comment
Comment
Jess Hill
Stopping coercive control and family violence
“Many of the most dangerous coercive controllers use physical violence sparingly, or not at all. Their system of fear and control requires only the believable threat of violence – to the victim or her loved ones. Savvy perpetrators know to avoid physical violence because while “incidents” of domestic violence are a crime, the system of coercive control is not.”
Comment
Bob Brown
The Robbins Island wind farm debate
“The Australian moved in for the kill last week. Back-to-back front pages, on Monday and Tuesday, after I sounded the alarm about the impact on endangered birds if the Robbins Island wind farm in Tasmania’s north-west goes ahead. Backed up by the usual cronies at Sky News, the boilover raised a question about the impending extinction of measured public debate.”
Comment
Chris Wallace
Scott Morrison faces Trump test
“Remember this quiet week. It is the origin moment of the biggest test of national character Australia has faced in 50 years. Some may have sensed it, others deduced it. But before 2020 arrives, anyone with contemporary historical perspective will know, understand and have had to take a position on the United States and its president. The choices are appeasement or action, with little scope to hover in between.”
Letters, Poem & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Novelist and playwright Peter Polites
In his second novel, The Pillars, Peter Polites uses Australia’s fixation on home ownership to explore the intersection of race, class and sexuality – as well as a growing conservatism within the queer community. “If you look at the generic images coming out of the queer community, there is a very specific aesthetic going on that’s obviously tied to race and class … You can be a total slut monster but still operate within a hegemonic discursive framework. There’s nothing radical about reinforcing dominant discourse. To me, that’s the opposite of sexual liberation.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
TRANSPORT
“No more gate barriers – just a smooth journey.”
The New South Wales transport minister spruiks the introduction of face-recognition technology on Sydney’s public transport system. Like Minority Report, this is sure to have a satisfying ending.
HOUSING
“The Commonwealth is not an ATM for the states.”
The industry minister says the government will not pay to remove combustible cladding from Victorian high-rise apartments. To recap, the government will only be an ATM for high-income earners, the Big Four accounting firms, self-funded retirees, mining giants, Lockheed Martin, French submarine manufacturers and George Christensen’s love life.
COURTS
“I have enough to have you go bye bye.”
The son of winemaker Wolf Blass responds to questions about his income during his Gold Coast trial. He faces charges over allegedly punching a woman – always a good time to threaten a prosecutor.
HOSPITALITY
“It is our priority to ensure all of our employees feel respected, rewarded and supported in their roles.”
The restaurateur is fined by the Fair Work Commission for underpaying his staff to the tune of $7.8 million. It’s a shame that paying his employees wasn’t one of his priorities.
VALUES
“I just don’t get it; I really don’t get it.”
The One Nation leader describes her expertise as part of an all-white panel assembled by Channel Nine to discuss the Uluru climbing ban. Hanson has no problem with being places she shouldn’t, as her multiple runs for parliament attest.
DIPLOMACY
“You simply cannot use that kind of language.”
The future British prime minister scolds the United States president for telling four female Democrats of colour to “go back where you came from”. The Brit prefers a more diplomatic turn of phrase, such as describing women who wear burqas as “looking like letterboxes”.
