June 26 – July 2, 2021
News
Comment
Comment
John Hewson
On shame and politics
“It is most disturbing how genuine compassion has been lost from our national government. Even worse, they seem so shameless about it. Concepts of government responsibility, integrity and accountability are increasingly downplayed, even ignored. A sense of shame is essential to an effective moral compass. Shamelessness is a real threat to our democracy and to the rule of law. ”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
The return of Barnaby Joyce
“Before the voters got a chance to pass judgement on the Morrison–McCormack Coalition, the Nationals’ party room did. And its judgement was that the deputy prime minister was failing to deliver for his core constituencies. Dispatched was mild-mannered Michael McCormack. According to an insider, the Nationals wanted a leader who could stand up to Scott Morrison and look after miners and farmers better. This narrative, at least at face value, is what motivated a majority of the 21 Nationals to re-elect the previously shamed Barnaby Joyce as leader. ”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
The Influence
Bryony Anderson
Artist and puppet-maker Bryony Anderson talks about the influence of Fiona Hall’s Paradisus Terrestris (1989-90) on her work and outlook.
Fiction
The next step for beasts
“My father’s position simply said that humanity over millions of years has had long enough to assess its surroundings and has done so pretty well; and that – taken as a line from humanity’s beginnings until today – the period within which animals have been regarded with affection is infinitesimal, not even a whole percentage point; and, therefore, the likelihood is strong that it is wrong. This is where my father’s argument stands. This is its foundation. So when he ran through his list of animals to me as a child, always with the same examples, it was to illustrate this position using the same pictorial imagery as the liberals and fantasists in the guise of artists and writers had used to create the current delusion. This is how thoughtfully crafted his argument is. ”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Politics
“While the New South Wales government’s rhetoric is serious, their actions are outside the rhetoric.”
The epidemiologist responds to news the NSW Nationals held a function for 70 people, against health advice. In fairness, the Nationals are doing their best to reduce the chance of being elected and bring their party room in line with limits.
Environment
“This process is not on. There’s a proper way to do these things.”
The prime minister opposes a recommendation that the Great Barrier Reef be listed as “in danger”. The correct way to do these things is by first consulting with coal lobbyists and then with those members of the Nationals who can prove their thumbs are opposable.
Court
“If I’m not going to trade a computer in, then I always destroy the hard drive.”
The former soldier tells a defamation trial why he may have set fire to a laptop he owned. If there’s any crime here, it’s manufactured obsolescence in electrical goods.
Energy
“Labor have shown their true colours – opposing investment in new clean technologies which will create jobs and economic opportunities.”
The Energy minister reacts to a senate vote that stopped the Australian Renewable Energy Agency from funding fossil fuels. Unfortunately, Labor’s true colours are more like the chromatophores of a startled cuttlefish.
Race
“I have to respectfully say to that 76 per cent, I don’t think there is underlying racism in Australia.”
The former prime minister denies that racism is an underlying part of Australian life. Thanks to his time in office, it’s much more overt.
Prison
“The mice start decaying and then the next problem is mites and we just don’t want to expose staff and prisoners to anything that could cause harm to their health.”
The NSW prisons commissioner explains that a mouse plague has forced the evacuation of Wellington prison. Don’t get him started on dogs.
