March 21 – 27, 2020
News
Comment
Comment
Richard Denniss
How Australia can avoid economic collapse in the wake of Covid-19
“For decades, Australians have been sold an imagined poverty. We have been told we need to ‘rein in’ government spending – that if we want to spend more on health or education, we will need to spend less on the age pension or childcare. But the reality is that if we had a bigger public sector today, we would be better prepared to weather the health and economic crises triggered by the coronavirus.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Morrison’s coronavirus awakening
“There in the prime ministerial courtyard of Parliament House, Scott Morrison finally admitted his world had crumbled. ‘Life is changing in Australia, as it is changing all around the world,’ he began his news conference midweek. ‘Life is going to continue to change as we deal with the global coronavirus.’”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Author and activist Naomi Klein
Author and activist Naomi Klein has long been a critic of consumer culture and its focus on individualism, arguing instead that we need to band together to deal with the world’s crises. “The tricky thing is that we are able to find our best selves in these moments of crisis, of high crisis, but within our economic system, the pressures of the market bear down pretty fast.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
DISTANCE
“Avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people.”
The United States president and his 15-person coronavirus taskforce gather to advise people not to gather in groups of more than 10.
PROGRESS
“I’ve moved on to bigger and better things …”
The teenager comments on life one year on from breaking an egg on Fraser Anning, on the same day the far-right politician declares bankruptcy.
PRAGMATISM
“We are praying daily for you, knowing that we are all protected by the Blood of Jesus.”
The house of worship, frequented by homophobic tennis champ Margaret Court, opts for spiritual immunisation to Covid-19.
JACKPOT
“It is a unique space.”
The Victorian premier explains why Crown casino is exempt from the national ban on non-essential gatherings of 100 persons and greater in indoor areas.
REALISATION
“We now seem to be facing the health version of global warming.”
The radio shock jock likens Covid-19 to climate change, apparently finally admitting we need swift, radical and global intervention to lessen the impact of our changing climate.
SACRIFICE
“The fact that I would still be going on Saturday speaks not just to my passion for my beloved Sharks.”
The prime minister, a diehard Cronulla Sharks fan, delays the introduction of a ban on mass gatherings until after the game. He later backtracked, leaving the Sharks with no choice but to cancel his membership.
