February 27 – March 4, 2016 | The Saturday Paper

News

Inside Turnbull’s early election plan

“At the moment, it’s definitely more a Turnbull issue than a senate perception.”

Karen Middleton As election timing starts to drive the economic agenda, Malcolm Turnbull is considering a high-stakes double-dissolution poll.

News

Policing domestic violence

“I expected to be treated like a victim. I expected them to save me. All of their behaviour had the effect of confirming to me that I’m alone.”

Martin McKenzie-Murray As the victim of a violent, menacing partner, Mary turned to the police for help. Years later, she feels as vulnerable as ever.

Environment

Politicising the Tasmanian bushfires

John Martinkus Tasmania’s wilderness fires are an environmental disaster, a foreshadowing of climate change conditions – and a point of political contention.

News

Seeing poverty in people’s teeth

“Sold to us as part of a new, bright, libertarian future, part-time and contract work has begun to erode what were once considered standard benchmarks in workers’ pay and conditions.”

Samantha Trenoweth Decreasing rates of full-time employment have led to a new class of working poor, whose struggles are borne out by the state of their dental health.

News

Coalmine approvals based on flawed models

“The court decision on the Warkworth challenge blew a big, permanent hole in claims mining companies could make for the economic benefits of their pits, specifically in relation to employment.”

Mike Seccombe The coal industry uses flawed economic models to persuade gullible governments to approve new mines and expansions, grossly inflating employment benefits and ignoring profitability questions.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

World

Donald Trump, Boris Johnson shake pillars of stability

Hamish McDonald Tory ranks divided over Brexit strategy; Daesh still a target; RAN submarine bids; Ugandan election arrest; literary notes from the Middle East.

Comment

Behrouz Boochani
Life on Manus: island of the damned

“Everyone, in his mind, traces a course of the history of the hellish life on this island, from before the riot in February, a period prisoners call ‘The Great Famine’, to the murder of Reza Barati.”

Comment

Paul Bongiorno
Turnbull rattled over tax reform

“In parliament Turnbull gave weight to Labor’s taunts that he was ‘rattled’. Gone was the equilibrium and humour in evidence since he grabbed the nation’s top job.”

Gadfly

Richard Ackland
Gadfly: Puzzle resolution

Letters, Cartoon & Editorial

Cartoon

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Editorial
Queer and present danger

Letters

Nuclear not the only option

Well might Premier Jay Weatherill take his time to ponder the politics of selling the idea of a nuclear dump in South Australia (Max Opray, “Nuclear cloud”, February 20-26). That the case for …

Christian lobby’s fears unfounded

The editorial “False gods” (February 20-26) made for some fascinating reading. I am highly sceptical of any group that calls itself a “Christian” anything – …

Culture

Architecture

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alejandro Aravena

Dan F. Stapleton Pritzker prizewinner Alejandro Aravena's social housing proves the value of architects to urban planning.

Television

Ascribing meaning to reality TV

Helen Razer Reality TV shows should be left as an enjoyable way to unwind, instead they’re treated as touchstones for debates that matter.

Portrait

Futurist Daniel Crooks

Kate Holden A chat in the back shed with futurist and artist Daniel Crooks.

Food

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Food

Gazpacho

Andrew McConnell What better than a glass of cool gazpacho to celebrate a beautiful summer past?

Books

Graham Swift
Mothering Sunday

C. S. Pacat
Kings Rising

Image for article: From Victims to Suspects

Shakira Hussein
From Victims to Suspects

Life

The Unwelcome Guest: Going to plan

Georgia Blain Can a detailed planner come to terms with the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis and learn to live day to day?

Travel

Finding beauty in Kyoto

Gretchen Shirm A wander through the hushed gardens of Arashiyama, on Kyoto’s outskirts, recalls a visit to an art gallery.

Sport

Love game: Gronya Somerville, 20, badminton player

Cindy MacDonald Gronya Somerville on famous forebears and her love affair with badminton.

The Quiz

1. Saatchi and Saatchi, Clemenger Group, and Leo Burnett are all major agencies in what field?

2. Morpheus is the Greek god of what?

3. What process involves treating rubber with sulphur to harden it?

4. A Malagasy is a native of which island republic?

5. In which country was actress Audrey Hepburn born: (a) Switzerland; (b) Wales; (c) Belgium; (d) the United States?

6. Which artist won the most gongs at this year’s Grammy Awards?

7. The Lacoste lifestyle brand logo features what animal? (Bonus point for giving the full name of the company’s eponymous founder.)

8. The current series of presidential primary elections and caucuses began in which state?

9. Where in human body is the Achilles tendon?

10. Name the deputy leader of the federal opposition.

Click through for answers.

Quotes

MUSIC

“I was completely unaware that in Australia there is a polarising social issue happening right now involving Indigenous people and alcohol.”

Rob ThomasThe singer apologises for suggesting he drank until he thought he was a black Australian. A further apology for his 1999 collaboration with Santana, Smooth, was not forthcoming.

POLITICS

“Nah, mate. At least I’m not a homophobe either, mate, so let’s just do the right thing here.”

Bill ShortenThe opposition leader rebukes Cory Bernardi, mate, who called Shorten a “fraud” over his support for the Safe Schools program. Mate.

SEXUALITY

“We are putting it on the record that as a parliament... we recognise that you were ill-treated, you were mistreated, you were embarrassed and shamed, and it was wrong.”

Bruce Notley-SmithThe NSW Liberal MP leads a parliamentary apology to the 53 people beaten and arrested by police after the first Mardi Gras.

BUSINESS

“I am delighted to take over the role of chairman.”

Peter CostelloThe former treasurer takes over at Nine. The last time he was in charge of a number like that, it was his support in the party room.

RACE

“I will be blunt. In my view, there should be no specific Indigenous policy.”

Dennis JensenThe Liberal MP argues there should be no government support for remote communities and “the noble savage lifestyle, à la Jean-Jacques Rousseau”. He has also said there should be no policy for climate change, and cited Adolf Hitler in support.

SPORT

“It wasn’t a generic blackface – she was pretending to be Kanye West. If she was pretending to be me, she’d stack on weight and grey hair and a grey beard. She was dressed as a character.”

Neil MitchellThe shock jock defends basketballer Alice Kunek, who wore blackface to a “Silly Sunday” party. For the record, Neil Mitchell is a generic dickface.