Tudge on the bludge – new education minister offers nothing new
With few exceptions, federal education ministers have followed a well-worn path of school reform that looks easy, resonates well but rarely delivers, and ignores entrenched problems. Alan Tudge fits neatly into this mould.... Continue reading »
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A precarious time in US-Russian relations
Things could soon improve, or they could get very much worse. There are conflicting policy indications from both sides.... Continue reading »
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Vale Gary Johnston, founder and sponsor of the Submarines for Australia group
Gary Johnston sadly died after a short illness on 10 March 2021. Gary was the founder of the Submarines for Australia website and the generous sponsor of the associated research, submissions and reports published on the site.... Continue reading »
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Who is Australia’s worst Health Minister? How does Greg Hunt rate?
In the past 50 years, Australia has had 23 health ministers. But who is the worst?... Continue reading »
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The Australian War Memorial avoids the central issue: Why did we fight so many immoral, corrupt and failed wars?
Meet Gustav, the German messenger dog. Running through the deadly orange mist of mustard gas to deliver a message to trenched in German soldiers. Yes, the gas mask is very interesting. It is just one of countless items on display at the Australian War Memorial. The collection is world class I might add because it... Continue reading »
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America’s place in the world under Biden: the omens betide no good
The only way to manage the emerging pluralist world order at all safely is to cultivate international institutions and mindsets that are genuinely inclusive and conducive to a respectful and sustained dialogue. Are the United States and its allies, Australia included, open to this sobering thought?... Continue reading »
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Our MPs and Generals hope we forget the foolish Afghanistan war and the wounds it left on our honour
The aftermath of the Brereton inquiry into war crimes committed by SAS soldiers involves much more than continuing efforts to prosecute. It also involves findings of the degree of culpability of officers at all levels above the non-commissioned soldiers accused, as well as the whole culture of the SAS, perhaps of the whole army.... Continue reading »
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Accountability in the public sector: Part 2
In Part 1 of this article, I discussed the broad role and capability of the public service to assist the government in policy development and its implementation. Part 2 discusses in more detail how accountability is presently working (or not working) in practice and proposes some improvements.... Continue reading »
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Alarming inconsistency: NSW Government Ministers on development in flood-prone areas
The floods on the eastward-flowing rivers of New South Wales have abated, but when they were at their height there were some alarming differences between state government ministers on the important matter of development on the floodplains of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system.... Continue reading »
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Anti-China threat porn: Antiquity’s antidote to its sophistry
If China is a threat to international peace and security, then the relationships outlined below approach the crime of trading with the enemy. ... Continue reading »
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Ending the revolutions: Easter rising and the partition of Ireland
For more than 90 years members of the Irish National Association, their friends and supporters, have assembled on Easter Sunday in front of the 1798 Monument at Waverley Cemetery to commemorate the men and women of the 1916 Easter rising in Dublin. This is an abridged version of the address given at that event on... Continue reading »
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Accountability in the public sector: Part 1
This two-part article is based on a speech that I gave to a webinar sponsored by the Centre for Public Integrity on 15 April about how the public service should contribute to the integrity and accountability of executive government. Part 1 discusses the broad role and capability of the public service to assist the government... Continue reading »
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