June 25 – July 1, 2022
News
Comment
Comment
Kevin Rudd
What Murdoch does to new governments
“There is nothing that delights Murdoch more than removing Labor leaders – premiers and prime ministers – or destabilising them. There are two reasons for this: first, Murdoch is personally addicted to power; second, he always wants governments to do his policy and financial bidding.”
Politics
John Hewson
The Peter Dutton principle
“While it is still early days, it is becoming clear that the Coalition and their media sycophants didn’t believe they would lose the election. They seem unprepared to move on. Beyond the immediate disappointment – both individually, for those who lost seats, and collectively, for a party now facing at least three years in opposition – clearly some are soul-searching.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
The Influence
Rhys Nicholson
The style, wit and intelligence of Elaine Stritch have been beacons for comedian Rhys Nicholson.
Poetry
Two poems
“My great-grandmother interpreted as she played, or played
from a score in the flickering light. How would she have run
with this? Single mother, migrant, royalist, leftover Huguenot.
That lusty ethereal necromancer priest, the general stuffed
into his uniform, his wife as object pursued through the limits
of imagination, Genica Athanasiou’s breasts exposed to collimated
gleam, shell scallop brassiere torn away, dangling in the clergyman’s
murderous soft hands. Confession. Taking flight. Lost at sea.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Symbolism
“I think it’s all about a publicity stunt and, frankly, I just don’t think we should give him the publicity that he craves.”
The opposition leader responds to Greens leader Adam Bandt’s decision to move the Australian flag in his press conferences. Dutton hates symbolism almost as much as he hates minorities.
Senate
“He’s a highly intelligent bloke and very well spoken.”
The United Australia Party’s federal director commends incoming senator Ralph Babet. If either claim is true, it’s hard to know what he’s doing in the party.
Gaming
“The Authority is pleased to have reached a stage where Crown can open its casino operations on a conditional basis.”
The chair of the New South Wales Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority gives Crown approval to open its Barangaroo casino. It just has to promise to stop money laundering and engaging with criminal syndicates.
Work
“I’m still unaware of what the substantive issue here is.”
The NSW premier attempts to distance himself from the appointment of John Barilaro to a $500,000-a-year trade role in New York. If it’s a grift, though, the former Nationals leader is eminently qualified.
Family
“I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form.”
The teenage daughter of billionaire Elon Musk files documents to change her surname. You might almost feel sorry for Elon Musk, except he’s Elon Musk.
Law
“Using the Uber Eats model, it’s not always easy to work out where someone sits in the chain.”
The judge sentences a Greenacre man to three years in prison for his role in a cocaine syndicate, likening it to a food delivery service. And honestly, with the price of lettuce…
