July 25 – 31, 2020
News
Comment
Comment
Tabitha Lean and Debbie Kilroy
Speaking out for criminalised women
“When I came out of prison, I noticed there was a concerted censoring of my voice every single time I wanted to speak out about my experiences within the criminal punishment system. This came at me in many ways – aggressively, subtly and, at times, very publicly. Most obviously, and I dare say predictably, the system didn’t like me publicly raising its violence and brutality. Like every abusive relationship, it thrives on silence. ”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Economy in the deep freeze
“Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s hands were blue as he stood behind his lectern, physically distanced from Scott Morrison in the prime minister’s courtyard on Tuesday. The pair were holding an outdoor news conference on an icy Canberra morning, and nothing the country’s two most senior politicians had to announce could thaw the wintry malaise that’s set in across much of Australia. The chilling realisation is that they, like the rest of the nation, are at the mercy of a virus that is threatening to get out of control.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Theatre-maker and multidisciplinary artist Anchuli Felicia King
After a whirlwind 2019, in which three of her plays debuted around the world, Anchuli Felicia King is showing no signs of slowing down. The Thai–Australian playwright and multidisciplinary artist speaks about language, learning from other Asian women and how storytelling can make a difference. “I’m drawn towards muscular political storytelling, art that has a clear politics and an ethical framework it’s trying to impart. That feels especially vital in a world lacking humane moral leadership.”
Fiction
Winner winner (Part three)
“The curtains parted to reveal the leggy assistants in their beaded corsetry and feathered headdresses, and, when the sparse audience applauded, the man in the fedora emerged. He took a bow, tipped his hat and then threw it out into the audience, and spotlights tracked it, then when they switched off the hat disappeared. A little ooh rippled through the audience and the clapping doubled. The “magician” made a big deal out of this, laughing as though he’d even surprised himself, and the show began. Phil could feel himself sweating. The man’s voice was enough to make him mad. It was so pathetic. Imagine dedicating your life to this grotesque pageantry, he thought, and the more cruel things he thought about the “magician” the better he felt, until he was barely listening to or watching the show, but instead was revelling in his own fury, his loathing and disgust letting loose in the dark. He found one of his wife’s hairs on his suit jacket and snapped it between his fingers, dropping the pieces onto the black carpet.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
HISTORY
“It’s been displayed by the Ku Klux Klan, by racist organisations, American Nazis have used it.”
The former United States soldier reacts to photos taken of Australian SAS members holding up a Confederate flag while on deployment in Afghanistan. The nickname “chicken stranglers” is starting to look like the least questionable thing about the elite force.
BEANS
“Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno.”
The first daughter defends bean brand Goya after the backlash over its CEO’s support for the US president. Not even beans will be spared from the wrath of 2020, it seems.
SINGULTUS
“I was thinking of it in a football sense.”
The AFL commentator apologises for calling sexual assault charges brought against Jordan De Goey as “a hiccup” in the Collingwood forward’s career. In the football sense, “a hiccup” is when a player is charged with sexual assault but still allowed to play and train with his team.
BIRTHDAYS
“Nice of Johnson to send me a birthday pressie!”
The Scottish first minister reacts to a visit from the perennially unpopular British prime minister that coincided with her 50th birthday. Unfortunately, there are no returns without a receipt.
CORRESPONDENCE
“If you are prepared to help me in my next adventure I’d appreciate a short and flattering quote for an endorsements brochure.”
The Liberal MP, then human rights commissioner, uses his official commission email to seek help in his bid for the Melbourne seat of Goldstein. In his defence, Wilson did not include a link to his donations page in his out-of-office message.
SOCIAL DISTANCE
“They’re very keen on being thanked and they almost need hugging – that’s before Covid, of course, we can’t hug anymore.”
The chair of the ABC says millennials lack resilience. Luckily Gen Z hate hugs, they just want a national broadcaster that doesn’t give equal time to climate change sceptics.
