In-depth analysis of the day’s news, plus stories and gossip from Australian politics.
Whatever you do, don’t mention the holy war
There appears to be a lot of mental illness about. It must have something to do with all those Coalition…
The chosen yuan: from Baghdad Bill to Beijing Bob
You’ve got to feel for poor old Sam Dastaryi, dragged through the stocks last week for a spot of unusual…
Why the political gender debate is boring (but matters)
You already have my sincere apologies; I recognise that there is no commentary so tiresome these days as that on…
A year of resolute leadership
Michelle Grattan, The Conversation, Friday: A year next Wednesday since the coup that installed Malcolm Turnbull, many Liberals are disappointed…
Fairfax verbals John Howard as the desperation shows
The death throes of the Fairfax mastheads make for gruesome viewing, yet are strangely captivating. One never knows what will…
The amazing self-defeating section 18c
The judicial enforcement of section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, Australia’s most notorious “hate speech” censorship law, was…
Government vs God in Dan Andrews’ Victoria
Two months ago I sat in a packed room where Tim Wilson and theologian Michael Bird addressed the topic, ‘Freedom…
Richard Di Natale and then and now
Greens leader Richard Di Natale was making his usual pious noises on ABC Radio National Breakfast on Tuesday morning. “We…
What’s worse? Dasher’s donation or being bribed with your own money?
Whatever you think of Sam Dastyari — he of halal snack pack and Senate committee inquiry fame — the issue…
The Productivity Commission’s schools fail
The Productivity Commission’s draft report into the evidence base for education confirms there has been little improvement in student outcomes…
It’s time for us plebeians to have our plebiscites
Since Tony Abbott promised a plebiscite on same sex marriage the role of plebiscites in Australian democracy has been hotly…
Prometheus unbound, politics undone
Rod Dreher, the American traditionalist journo, has just published an important blog post that Aussie conservatives would do well to…
Which label for me or of Delcons, Malcons, Alt Right, Ctrl Left and more
We live in an age of identity politics, and even in the identity-politics-rejecting right, it is still necessary to identify…
The anti-free speech jokers
Opposition to free expression, a belief that in a Judge’s right to determine what is and isn’t acceptable, the promotion…
The Shoppies’ sellout
The Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association — affectionately known as the ‘Shoppies’ – is under fire from employer groups…
Trump’s core insight
Donald Trump’s absurd candidacy for the presidency has obscured the broad-based resentment at continuing levels of immigration and the problems…
The week in politics in 10 words or less*
Neil Mitchell to Malcolm Turnbull, 3AW, this morning: “If you can’t run the parliament you, can’t run the country.” …
Let the market unchain indigenous communities
The problem that has sparked the Royal Commission on juvenile detention is much broader than the way in which children…
Malcolm’s misfortune exposed
As Lady Bracknell may have said “To lose one vote may be regarded as misfortune”. And so it was at…
The Climate Change Authority: garbage in, garbage out (plus a little tampering)
There have been several hundred Australian analyses of climate change policy and its costs and benefits. Most have provided profundities…
Why aren’t there more women in politics? Simple!
As women, we are constantly being reminded that there are not enough of us in parliament. We are being looked down on and…
The poor unloved, ignored Grauniad Austria
The poor old Grauniad Austria — The Guardian Australia, to non-media types. Not only did its parent, the Guardian Media Group,…
The great 18c pigeonholing
There’s a caricature for opponents of section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act. They’re supposed to be racists who are…
Show that you really do believe in free speech
Free speech is being destroyed in this country, thanks to the odious section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which…
Fracking usless policy in Victoria
The Andrews Government in Victoria has set in motion regulatory arrangements that will permanently prevent hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and other…
Editor’s picks
Magazine
Something rotten in the state of Victoria
On bikie gangs, corrupt unions and a mendacious Labor party
Pathway to net zero: one way or two?
The Canberra bureaucrats have failed us yet again
