November 29 – December 5, 2025
News
Comment
Comment
Elisabeth Adamson
A NSW police chase killed my partner
“It’s December 30, 2021. Life is good. Harri and I have had a fabulous family Christmas and we’re excited, loading our cars full of gardening and building equipment. We’re heading to our new home in a town and community we love just north of Merimbula, where we plan to retire.”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Inside Murray Watt’s environmental deal
“Watt had put everything on the line politically, creating a deadline to finalise what was in fact a five-year journey to reach a destination everybody agreed was needed, namely the implementation of recommendations proposed by businessman Graeme Samuel after his review of a framework that had been in place for 25 years.”
Comment
John Hewson
Coalition puts internal politics above all else
“Two thoughts come rushing to mind as I attempt to follow the ridiculous and irresponsible machinations of the two opposition parties over Australia’s climate targets, especially net zero by 2050. The first is the scornful philosophy of Humpty Dumpty in Through the Looking-Glass … The second is that most people would like to go to heaven, but no one wants to die to get there.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Marrugeku artistic directors Dalisa Pigram and Rachael Swain
In the 30 years since Marrugeku’s humble beginnings, artistic directors Dalisa Pigram and Rachael Swain have forged one of Australia’s most significant dance companies.
Fiction
Anchoress
“Peace, she worried, might have even more intractable dangers than war. All the people wondering about what they should do, filling the spaces of peace, rather than war, with danger. This person that person saluting, pointing, as if when you weren’t wearing a uniform, you were wearing a uniform. With this in mind she looked both ways before she stepped out of her house to go check the forest.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Loyalty
“After 30 years with the National Party, I am resigning from the party, and that really leaves me with a heavy heart.”
The member for New England announces he is quitting the Nationals. Looking at him, heavy might be the least of his heart’s worries.
Religion
“For her to wear the burqa, walk in, and just not listen to the procedures or the ruling that was given before her is typical of her trying to stay relevant.”
The independent senator criticises Pauline Hanson for wearing a burqa in the Senate. Hanson later cancelled the division, which is easier said than done.
Politics
“It’s been seven years since I stopped being prime minister, and there’s still reality denial, physics denial is still alive.”
The former prime minister condemns the Coalition’s stance on climate change while attending the unveiling of his official portrait. “Stopped” is one way of putting it.
Environment
“I didn’t receive an offer from the prime minister to meet. I texted him after Question Time and the text remains unanswered.”
The opposition leader complains of being left out of the government’s environmental reform negotiations. Having no credible policy on the environment could be one reason.
Media
“Timing in life is a funny thing, and I’ve decided to step down from Drive to pursue some passion projects…”
The broadcaster announces she will be stepping down from her drive shift on ABC Sydney. The network’s prime-time slots are now all filled by men and someone from The Chaser.
NSW
“Chris Minns asked me words to the effect of, ‘Do you know how we might be able to get the money in?’ ”
The former president of New South Wales Young Labor swears an affidavit alleging the state’s current premier took illegal donations. Minns has been cleared by various bodies, but that’s not how Labor factional disputes work.
