In-depth analysis of the day’s news, plus stories and gossip from Australian politics.
The streets of Iran are calling out the name of Reza Shah II
From the seventh of Dey, the people of Iran once again stood before bullets and batons, chanting the name of…
The Carnivalesque inversion of hierarchies in the debate over shark nets
The debate surrounding the use of shark nets in New South Wales provides a real-world example of a Carnivalesque inversion…
The Bondi massacre: honour, dignity, and the refusal to reform
In a characteristically lucid and incisive essay written in the aftermath of the Bondi massacre, Helen Pluckrose argues in Islam,…
Multiculturalism is an inherently dangerous policy
That such an evil and horrific act can be perpetuated – killing and injury so many innocent, peaceful, and law-abiding…
The four pillars of modern civilisation
When a high-energy society opts for an unreliable, expensive grid
Sydney to Hobart: ‘What a crazy race!’
Yachts taking part in the Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart race scattered rose petals in the sea as they passed…
Are guns laws Albanese’s most desperate shot yet?
Those who say Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is trying for a ‘John Howard moment’ by turning the Bondi terrorist attack…
Attacking the pen is not the answer
Why Australia needs a Royal Commission before it legislates on fear
The worst of 2025
2025 is drawing to a close. So, because everyone likes a listicle, let’s now trawl through some of the worst…
The Liberal Party that forgot what held it together
I have been quiet for a week and a half. Now it is time to return to battle, a metaphorical…
Cultural frustration and the Age of Influencers
Tate and Chatfield are not building culture; they are selling it
Australia needs a Joseph
Preventing private debt collapse through wisdom, foresight, and just policy
Politicians are washing their hands of Bondi with rushed gun laws
Australia’s decision to largely disarm, made under the leadership of John Howard during the 1996 gun buyback, distinguished us ideologically…
Born in a cave
Here it is – Christmas again. And once again it can hold a lesson for us. For perhaps it really…
Merry Christmas from the heartland of Santa Claus
From Munich: German Christmas markets are the best in the world. There’s something about Germany that makes Christmas feel more…
Chelleh Night (Birth of Light)
Chelleh Night, or Shab-e Yalda, takes place at the time of the winter solstice, around December 21, the longest night…
Life is short, and precious
It was the beginning of Advent last week, and I attended church for the annual celebration. While I am not…
Editor’s picks
Magazine
Minister Marles unfit for military service
Why are we flogging off our historic military assets?
Can Taylor fix the broken covenant?
First, he must re-establish Liberal authority
Taylor to the rescue
There’s a new conservative Liberal leader in town. Get behind him
