July 23 – 29, 2022
News
Comment
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Glass half-empty (or 43 per cent full)
“The full impact of the change of government nine weeks ago will be clear on Tuesday when the new parliament sits for the first time. It will be an acid test for the Albanese government. The test is one it has largely set for itself. Despite claiming it does not need the parliament to commit to its 43 per cent reduction goal by 2030, Labor has invested too much time and energy to brook an easy defeat.”
Comment
John Hewson
Why is the government ignoring expert advice on Covid?
“Governments globally claim to base their policy responses to Covid-19 on science, on the advice of medical experts. But there has been a multiplicity of different opinions on the evidence, allowing governments to be politically selective in deciding what to do – even to ignore the basic thrust of the advice.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
The Influence
Allison Chhorn
How memory is embodied in the works of German artist Eva Hesse speaks deeply to Cambodian–Australian artist Allison Chhorn.
Fiction
Churn
“The BMW X7 was idling in the No Stopping lane, kids bickering inside. Billie Eilish is so much better than Drake, Siena said. No fucking way, Angus replied. Watch your language, Eva said as she pulled out. A bus was turning into the narrow street and the driver leaned on his horn, gesticulating at her from behind the broad pane of windscreen. Shit, she said. You’re a hypocrite, Angus said.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Faith
“Do you believe that if you lose an election God still has a plan for you?”
The former prime minister addresses the faithful at Margaret Court’s church. For all the Lord’s mysteries, putting an incompetent travel agent in charge of the country for three years is right up there.
Misconduct
“The report tabled today shows … absolutely disgraceful behaviour …”
The Victorian premier responds to anti-corruption findings against the state Labor Party, including nepotism, misuse of funds, bullying and forgery. Opposition Leader Matthew Guy could run on cleaning up the state – if he wasn’t Matthew Guy.
Memories
“Straight up like a vertical firecracker, we slipped the surly bonds of Earth – as the poet Magee puts it – and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings.”
The outgoing prime minister recounts a flight in an RAF Typhoon. Or possibly one of the better lockdown parties at Downing Street.
Employment
“Our Australian clients will greatly benefit from Josh’s insights and expertise.”
The chief executive of Goldman Sachs Australia and New Zealand welcomes former treasurer Josh Frydenberg as a senior adviser. Say what you will about investment bankers, it will be better than working for Scott Morrison.
Life
“I’ve got a company in Colombia who want me to donate sperm to impregnate high-class Colombian women…”
The father of tech billionaire Elon Musk explains the curious demand for his semen. Until now, if you wanted to be impregnated by the 76-year-old your best bet was being his 34-year-old stepdaughter.
Zoning
“It was two words, and I can’t mention them on camera.”
The New South Wales Liberal describes his response when the premier asked him to resign following corruption findings against him. Sidoti maintains he is innocent and that relaxing planning controls to benefit his family is also a great idea.
