Euthanasia laws: the true implications
The “voluntary Assisted dying” legislation appears set to pass both lower and upper houses in Victoria. However, let us call…
The God question
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Mark Kenny crowed. Australia’s “self-appointed conduits to the metaphysical” -– its Christian clergy — have been…
Ten thousand ways that will not work
I have not failed 10,000 times. I have successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work — Thomas Edison The…
Labor Lite
Despite all his rhetoric to the contrary, Malcolm Turnbull really isn’t concerned about protecting civil and religious freedoms. In what…
Was Bennelong Kristina Keneally’s second choice?
Voters in Bennelong who need to front up to the polls once again may be surprised – and perhaps unimpressed…
Farewell speeches
The Zimbabweans spoke and that old tyrant Mugabe was forced to listen. His resignation speech stated that his decision to…
Time to end the election day circus
A sausage sizzle and a vote is an old Australian tradition. But as a wise man once said, those who like…
Wild rumour department: it will all be over by Christmas
More may be riding on today’s Queensland election than the premier’s job. A far more important role, in Canberra, appears…
This budget was useful but boring: the Tories need bigger ideas
Philip Hammond began his first Budget, in March, by playing down its importance — for his big ideas on fiscal…
Britain agrees to offer the EU a £40 billion divorce payment for Brexit
Home The cabinet, including Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, agreed that the European Union would have to be offered something…
I once worshipped ‘freedom fighters’ but Mugabe just looked like a teacher
At the top of Machu Picchu last week, I saw two wide-winged condors swoop over Sacred Valley through a rainbow…
The Queen wed 70 years ago… but she has 20 more to go to break a record
Enduring love The Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They are not the first public figures to…
When armies take over democracy dies
While the military is running Zimbabwe, there is no hope of anything resembling a functioning democracy replacing the tyrant Robert…
Revenues past
From 12 July 1828: The Chancellor made his financial statement on Friday, in a style of candour and clearness which…
Australian letters
Government by hysteria Sir: In the world where science and politics interact, we see the dismissal of science at the…
The Queen and Prince Philip’s 70th anniversary party sounds glorious
Windsor Castle on Monday night sounds like a children’s party magnified. The rooms were filled with golden-leaved trees. A giant…
The Irish stance against Brexit is a dangerous gamble
Never has a European Council been so important to a British prime minister as this December’s is to Theresa May.…
Divorce destroys society. Don’t let’s make it easier
I went to Relate once, the counselling service formerly known as the National Marriage Guidance Council. I wasn’t married at…
The era when you could love a car is over
There are four of us in this relationship: my partner and I, his horse and my truck. His horse is…
Dear Chancellor, we can’t make the bricks to build your homes
The Chancellor sounded purposeful when he declared that he’ll do ‘whatever it takes’ to boost the rate of housebuilding —…
Where did it all go wrong for Angela Merkel?
Trier, Rhineland Was it really just a few months ago that Angela Merkel was being hailed as the leader of…
Without Merkel in charge, Europe could fall apart
No leader is indispensable, but it does feel like the future of Europe stands or falls with Angela Merkel. She’s…
Cull the lawyers – there are too many for democracy to work
Last week the Daily Telegraph’s front page showed the 15 Tory MPs who had voted against the government under the…
LA used to be fun – dope has just made it dull
Los Angeles stinks. Not just of the usual things: sex, money, suntan oil, hipster food, surfer wax — odours that…
Norway is hard on migrants – but tough love works
When Angela Merkel invited refugees to Germany in 2015, tearing up the rules obliging migrants to seek asylum in the…
