America preying on our universities
The US is exploiting a privileged position in our society with formalised access to powerful means for shaping Australia…
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UNRWA’s expulsion from Jerusalem will seal Israel’s illegal annexation
From Arab governments to the UN Secretary General, forces must mobilise to halt Israel’s detrimental expulsion of UNRWA, writes Chris Gunness. Continue reading »
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How the Israel-Palestine narrative changed in Australia
For most of the post-war years, there was bipartisan support for Israel in Australia, with the ALP especially proud of H.V. Evatt’s role in the establishment of the Jewish state at the United Nations. And there has always been an influential pro-Israel faction within the party. The Liberals were never hostile to Israel but, for Continue reading »
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Is Australia’s anti-corruption watchdog corrupt?
It was mid-morning on a day in 2009. I was about to be put under for a medical procedure that required a general anaesthetic. From previous experience I recall that anaesthetists assigned to my medical procedures engaged me in light conversation. Continue reading »
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Child support: a ‘wicked’ public policy problem
Two generations of children have grown up since the Child Support Scheme (CSS) was introduced in June 1988 with the promise of “putting children first” when their parents’ relationship breaks down. Yet, the CSS is beset with many of the same problems that led to and surrounded its establishment. Continue reading »
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Saving Labor from a likely defeat
In an ideal world politics would focus on rational and intelligent debate between enlightened people — just like in Ancient Greece — without, of course, the exclusion of women and slaves. Albeit there are some serious doubts about the Liberal Party’s commitment to advancing women. Continue reading »
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Why Ukraine is losing ground
An instructive new article entitled, “Why is Ukraine losing ground? Mobilisation crisis and command failures exposed,” has recently been published online by Euromaidan Press. Its cogency is amplified by the fact that it is, fundamentally, a pro-Ukraine essay. Continue reading »
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What Israel should have done
Israel chose the wrong way to deal with its enemies. For a better way, it could have borrowed a leaf from China. Continue reading »
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Facts, alternative facts and Edward Said: Narrating a genocide
As Donald Trump is inaugurated as a second-term president, readers may recall the infamous expression “alternative facts” used by Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s senior counsellor, to defend the false statements of Sean Spicer, the White House Press Secretary. At the time, the media mocked Conway for describing Spicer’s falsehoods about attendance numbers at Trump’s 2017 inauguration Continue reading »
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Who can best manage Trump – Albanese or Dutton?
A week out from the presidential inauguration in Washington and what stands out is the sheer mischief and wildness of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, like two schoolboys running amok in the tuckshop of world politics. Continue reading »
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A clear and present danger to the peace of the world
Donald Trump is still to be sworn in for his second term, but is already confirming that he remains a menace to world peace, security and stability. Continue reading »
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Jakarta pips Dutton in nuclear race
Peter Dutton’s hopes for Australia to be the first nation in the Southern Hemisphere to pioneer the use of small-to-medium nuclear reactors seem dashed. Continue reading »
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How Murdoch got a foothold in Foxtel (An updated post from 1 February 2014)
Rupert Murdoch relies on political threats for commercial benefit Continue reading »
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The cost of apathy
“Apathy isn’t just a lack of care – it’s a failure of connection. It happens when people stop believing their voices matter, their efforts count, or that change is possible. Apathy is the silent enemy, replacing passion and engagement with indifference.” – Manu Sharma, The Silent Enemy Continue reading »
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Public and private schools are partners in educating all Australian children
John Frew’ s recent essay asserts that public schools are increasingly burdened with students facing complex challenges while private schools lure more desirable students with questionable claims of better academic outcomes and stricter discipline. Continue reading »
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A battle between our governments and the ‘Mandarins’ who serve them
Former prime minister Tony Abbott claims “unelected and unaccountable” public servants stymied his government. History records a long running battle between our governments and the so-called ‘mandarins’ who are supposedly there to serve them Continue reading »
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When leaders act like dogs: A time without shame
Figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk are not anomalies but symptoms of a system in decay. Continue reading »
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Judge threatens to break the UK’s wall of secrecy around Assange’s persecution
After nine years of legal battles, a British judge has finally challenged the wall of secrecy erected by British and Swedish authorities around the legal abuse of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Continue reading »
