February 26 – March 4, 2022
News
Comment
Comment
Saul Griffith
The case for buying AGL
“Energy is on everyone’s lips. First, Australia’s two biggest energy companies announce they will retire coal-fired power stations early. Great news: this is what climate science requires. Then Brookfield Asset Management and Mike Cannon-Brookes make a stunning play to buy AGL and rapidly replace coal with clean energy. Also good.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Emperor Morrison has no clothes
“Uncertain times are usually thought to favour incumbent governments, but that presumes these governments have retained more than a modicum of confidence among a majority of voters. Evidence is mounting that the Morrison–Joyce Coalition has failed to deliver enough to merit its survival.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
The Influence
Robert Lukins
Watching Jane Campion’s work showed Robert Lukins that writing can be as collaborative as filmmaking.
Fiction
All I can do
“‘No one should have to grieve at all. They say it’s the price we pay for love. You ever think maybe the price is too high?’ ‘No. But what are you grieving, really? Maybe I was more than my income, after all?’ I never realised choosing early retirement would be so catastrophic. ‘No, no. It’s not. No price is too high for love.’ Anger simmers deep in my gut, but I say nothing. Again. Like usual. She sucks down a steadying breath. ‘This isn’t something anyone can ever get used to, I suppose.’”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Russia
“This is an unprovoked, unwarranted, illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
The prime minister condemns Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine. On hearing this, Vladimir Putin is reported to have broken down and has been reconsidering his actions.
Sunlight
“Over three million out of the five million people in Queensland didn’t get a say.”
The lord mayor of Brisbane says Queensland should have another referendum on daylight saving. The idea was rejected by the state 30 years ago on the basis that they couldn’t wind their clocks back any further.
Trains
“I don’t expect them to send a car around at 2 o’clock in the morning and wake me up.”
The NSW Transport minister confirms that he went to bed before his department decided to shut down the rail network in response to industrial negotiations. Like the train system itself, he doesn’t work after midnight.
Media
“No offence, Australia ... but never take the high moral ground with UK summer weather again.”
The journalist arrives in Australia for a party with Lachlan Murdoch, celebrating 25 years of Sky News. His network is one of the few that sees weather as a moral issue and climate change as not.
Film
“It does feel ironic for the editors to be cut out of the show.”
The former Oscars host complains about a plan to shorten the broadcast by announcing certain categories off screen. In fairness, editing has always been the weakest part of the three-and-a-half-hour ceremony.
Court
“I don’t give a fuck. I just want to kill cunts.”
The soldier tells a colleague about his motivations in the army, according to testimony given by “Person Two” in the former’s defamation case. The trial continues.
