May 25 – 31, 2019
News
Comment
Comment
Bri Lee
Time to reform Queensland consent laws
“‘Mistake of fact’ comes from section 24 of the Queensland criminal code. It says that where the defendant had an ‘honest and reasonable but mistaken belief’ in a state of things that made their actions legal, they must be acquitted. This defence has had blatantly unfair consequences for survivors of sex crimes. ”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Reserve Bank ends Coalition celebration
“Along with the rest of the nation, Scott Morrison could scarcely believe it. His mother told journalists a lot of prayers went into the shock defeat of Labor, and her jubilant son told the cheering party faithful he had “always believed in miracles”. Four days later, though, the Reserve Bank governor played the devil’s advocate – Morrison’s “strong economy” was faltering.”
Letters, Poem & Editorial
Culture
Profile
The many facets of Zindzi Okenyo’s world
Zindzi Okenyo is asserting herself through her art – on stage, on screen and in the recording studio. Here, the singer-songwriter and actor talks about growing up in different parts of Australia, travelling to her father’s birth country, and being comfortable in her own skin. “The older that I’ve gotten, the more it seems to me the way to be better is to know yourself as much as possible and then relax into it.”
Theatre
The Production Company’s Lazarus
Despite a bizarre narrative that at times seems nonsensical, the first Australian production of David Bowie’s musical, Lazarus, is gloriously camp. And of course, there’s no denying the power of Bowie’s songs.
Portrait
Artist Andrew Thomas Huang
“At first glance, the project is politically charged. There are inherent problems with Andrew Thomas Huang, as a Chinese American artist with no prior connection to Australia, conceptualising a work using flora so grounded in country and First Nations history. Yet there is an interesting detachment to his angle. He has made Austral Flora Ballet with an alertness to his position as a visitor here, seeking to emphasise the beauty of the Australian landscape as his artwork swirls and ricochets off the Sydney Opera House sails. ”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
TELEVISION
“I’ve actually gone up since the last election, unlike your show, Deb. Since you’ve actually taken over, you’ve actually gone down in your viewership. So, should you hand over your job or should we bring Karl back?”
The senator hits back at Deb Knight over a question about One Nation’s primary vote. Even the Today host was shocked by how good this comeback was.
MIRACLES
“I’ve always believed in miracles.”
The re-elected prime minister addresses supporters in Sydney. In the Pentecostal faith, preference flows from Clive Palmer are widely accepted as gifts bestowed by the divine.
CELEBRITY
“My recollection is a much older man being creepy with me when I had just graduated high school.”
The actress denies she ever dated Moby, a claim made in the musician’s new memoir. To all those who asked, none of the staff of The Saturday Paper have ever dated him either.
POLITICS
“I think he’s the best person to lead us and I think he’s the best person to take up the fight to Scott Morrison and to the Coalition.”
The Labor senator throws her support behind Anthony Albanese. The question remains why he wasn’t the best person to lead the party a week ago.
LOSS
“I can’t say it doesn’t hurt to lose. But I would rather be a loser than a quitter.”
The former MP concedes his seat of Warringah to Zali Steggall. His 1029th-place finish in the Cole Classic swim this year would suggest this is a mantra in both work and life.
COURTS
“It is hysterical not in the sense of funny, but in the sense of hysteria.”
Geoffrey Rush’s barrister argues a potential chilling effect on the #MeToo movement shouldn’t stop an injunction against The Daily Telegraph. A lawyer being named Sue is hysterical in the sense of funny.
