Flat White

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

Fairfax verbals John Howard as the desperation shows

7 September 2016 6:44 pm

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

7 September 2016 1:57 pm

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

7 September 2016 8:05 am

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

6 September 2016 5:53 pm

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?

6 September 2016 1:37 pm

Whatever you think of Sam Dastyari — he of halal snack pack and Senate committee inquiry fame — the issue…

The Productivity Commission’s schools fail

6 September 2016 10:29 am

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

6 September 2016 7:23 am

Since Tony Abbott promised a plebiscite on same sex marriage the role of plebiscites in Australian democracy has been hotly…

Prometheus unbound, politics undone

5 September 2016 1:50 pm

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

5 September 2016 7:21 am

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

3 September 2016 11:12 am

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

2 September 2016 9:28 pm

The Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association  — affectionately known as the ‘Shoppies’ – is under fire from employer groups…

Trump’s core insight

2 September 2016 5:54 pm

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*

2 September 2016 1:23 pm

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

2 September 2016 7:21 am

The problem that has sparked the Royal Commission on juvenile detention is much broader than the way in which children…

Malcolm’s misfortune exposed

1 September 2016 8:36 pm

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)

1 September 2016 7:29 pm

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!

1 September 2016 7:29 am

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

31 August 2016 1:00 pm

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

31 August 2016 7:26 am

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

30 August 2016 11:13 pm

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

30 August 2016 4:58 pm

The Andrews Government in Victoria has set in motion regulatory arrangements that will permanently prevent hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and other…

ScoMo’s super self-imposed dilemma

30 August 2016 2:50 pm

The Prime Minister and the Treasurer must rue the day they allowed their public service advisers to talk them into…

Back to school with James McGrath

30 August 2016 8:18 am

Daunted by wading through the acres of newsprint about today’s first sitting of parliament since the election? Afraid of eye…

Modest mantillas and bashful burqinis: same difference

30 August 2016 7:19 am

New tripe on the burqini ban, this time from Jennifer Oriel: “When the Syrian city of Manbij was liberated from Islamic State, women burned…

O brave new political world…

29 August 2016 4:10 pm

So here we are again. Federal parliament finally is reconvening, a mere four months since it last met and eight…