Flat White

In-depth analysis of the day’s news, plus stories and gossip from Australian politics.

EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Andrews’ plan for indefinite detention – and more

18 September 2020 3:34 pm

The Victorian Labor government has introduced a bill to parliament that coupled with other measures is one of the most…

If Daniel Andrews has even lost the ABC… Wow

18 September 2020 1:35 pm

The findings of the ABC’s “independent” editorial complaints investigation unit are usually viewed with the same mix of bemusement and…

Coming soon: “I’m a Victorian, Get Me Out of Here”

18 September 2020 11:38 am

Comedian Daniel Andrews is set to host a new reality TV show, “I’m a Victorian, Get Me Out of Here.”…

What do Victoria and New Zealand have in common?

18 September 2020 5:00 am

Victoria and New Zealand are similar in size and population. Their current leaders, Premier and Prime Minister respectively, although of…

The solution to 2020 and beyond? Responsible individualism

17 September 2020 8:24 pm

We have had many challenges to face in 2020. Which to tackle first? Without the traditional wisdom of a reliable…

Coronavirus isn’t belting our economy. It’s the political response – from the top down

17 September 2020 5:57 pm

Part of me is so sick of the Morrison government’s bungled response to the Wuhan virus that I can hardly…

Tax cuts are sexist!

17 September 2020 2:38 pm

The Morrison government’s planned tax cuts will benefit high-income earners and most high-income earners are men. You know where this…

Unemployment? Nice one, Dan

17 September 2020 12:38 pm

Read it and weep. If #YouStandWithDan, there’s a good chance you’re standing in a queue at Centrelink (more likely it’s…

This week’s big energy announcements? Just another nail in the coffin of low-cost power

17 September 2020 11:17 am

The government’s energy policy announced this week is another milestone in the demise of what was once the world’s lowest-cost…

Covid totalitarianism

17 September 2020 5:00 am

The actions of Victoria Police in the egregious arrest of Ballarat mother Zoe Buhler for posting about an anti-lockdown protest…

Playing politics with the Jordan Valley

16 September 2020 8:15 pm

I first came across Andra Jackson back in 2009 when she wrote an article about a protest over a play…

GetUp!, get lost

16 September 2020 5:29 pm

GetUp! is a Trojan horse; we all know that. Hiding inside is an oozing mess of rancidity. So, we all…

Our schools already let too many children down before this year of disruption. Where to from here?

16 September 2020 3:35 pm

Could there be a more depressing statement about parents’ confidence in Australian schooling than a recent proposal that people invest…

Their ABC, their salaries – and your right to know

16 September 2020 1:04 pm

It’s been a big 24 hours or so for British media watchers with the release of the BBC’s annual report…

Can democracy survive an increasingly biased media?

16 September 2020 5:00 am

The ACCC is seeking to force Google and Facebook to pay for the media content they redistribute which has led…

‘If you don’t want to be kicked in the head, don’t put your head under a jackboot. It’s not only selfish, it’s stupid.’  

15 September 2020 7:30 pm

Drongo alert: what follows is satire. Victorian strongman Daniel Andrews yesterday dismissed anger over the state’s harsh lockdown as a…

How shinybum corona craziness has just widened the city-country divide

15 September 2020 7:00 pm

Little has illustrated the divide between urban and regional Australia quite like the events of 2020. I feel reasonably qualified…

China’s Commiebrige Analytica

15 September 2020 1:35 pm

China’s Overseas Key Individual Database leak. Call this the Commiebridge Analytica: Tens of thousands of Australians — including celebrities, politicians…

Anna and The Fly – a parable

15 September 2020 11:36 am

Once upon a time there was a girl called Anna who lived in a lovely sunny house with a view…

Luvvies, be careful what you wish for

15 September 2020 5:00 am

The saying goes, “be careful what you wish for”.  Most people want a fairer, non–judgemental world for the future, but in reality when…

Victorians are wising up: Dictator Dan is a Dictator Dud

14 September 2020 6:19 pm

Anyone familiar with George Orwell’s 1984 and the strategies used by the dictator Big Brother to subjugate citizens and enforce control will…

Why we should be worried by China’s Overseas Key Individual Database

14 September 2020 2:56 pm

Until recently, Australians and their governments have believed that it doesn’t matter what values are held by the nations and…

Is this man a COVID criminal?

14 September 2020 1:31 pm

The Melbourne Age has a cute little piece of “keep calm and carry on” COVID semi-whimsy today: Every weekday, about…

The CFMMEU’s dirty little secret

14 September 2020 11:18 am

There’s a rather clever ad kicking around featuring a naked miner, holding his work hat over his genitals, accusing the…

Danandrewstan and the death of Melbourne, explained

14 September 2020 5:00 am

What's really going on in Victoria? Gideon Rozner wrote this primer for an American audience, but it deserves to be read across Australia - and the world.