January 31 – February 6, 2026
News
Comment
Comment
Arthur Sinodinos
金刚霍诺德攀岩
“The implosion over hate laws is a bad start to the Coalition’s new year and for supporters of good government. The situation is existential, but the outcome is not preordained. Liberals and Nationals have agency to affect the outcome. History suggests they can succeed.”
Comment
Stan Grant
January 26 and the limits of history
“My Australian story starts with a photo. It is a photo of a man with a face hitherto unseen in the world. The bearded man wears a long winter coat, collared shirt and stylish hat. In his right hand he holds a stone axe. He is standing next to a ceremonial scarred tree stump.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Weapons
“The social aspect behind the group and the fitness activities performed as well as the adventures of travelling to new places.”
The former member of the National Socialist Network argues that his political associations shouldn’t affect his ownership of 16 firearms. As he explained, it was more about the fitness than the Nazism.
Animals
“I really would like pandas to come back to Japan again.”
The Tokyo resident comments after China recalled two pandas from Tokyo Zoo as part of ongoing tension over Taiwan. The pandas were unlikely to help in the military efforts anyway.
Film
“The audience will experience many different emotions.”
The United States First Lady primes viewers ahead of a documentary about her, released this week. Early reports suggest she sold a single pre-sale ticket in Australia.
Sport
“If we consider everything we’ve discussed, there’s only one piece of advice for fans: stay away from the USA!”
The former head of FIFA urges fans to boycott World Cup games in the United States. If Sepp Blatter thinks you’re a corrupt despot, you must really be a corrupt despot.
Wages
“It was carnage. It was the worst time of my life … I’d gone from the love child to the hated child.”
The celebrity chef explains the impact on him of his underpayment scandal. That’s not what a love child is but also that’s a fairly self-centred way to think about $7.83 million in unpaid wages.
Acting
“I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me so I didn’t have to.”
The actor thanks fans for defending him after Quentin Tarantino described him as a “weak, uninteresting guy”. The only thing that’s weak and uninteresting is his chin – and, in fairness, some of his performances.
