Australia’s misunderstanding of the Asian Century
Allan Patience

Australia in Our Region

Australia’s misunderstanding of the Asian Century

politics

In October 2012, Prime Minister Julia Gillard released a white paper titled Australia in the Asian Century.

Bowen confirmed as climate and energy minister, Watt gets environment
Giles Parkinson

Bowen confirmed as climate and energy minister, Watt gets environment

Chris Bowen has been confirmed as climate and energy minister in the new Albanese Government, while Murray Watt has been appointed minister for the environment and water as part of a reshuffle announced on Monday.

After the 2025 election: Energy transition and restoration of Australian growth
Ross Garnaut

After the 2025 election: Energy transition and restoration of Australian growth

An historic election Australia has had insecure governments looking over their shoulders at political threat for one and a half decades. None of the Gillard, Abbott, Turnbull, Morrison and first term Albanese Governments had substantial majorities in the House of Representatives. None ever stood so high in electoral standing that it felt able to take the risk of implementing policy reform in the public interest that could be distorted for their opposition’s political benefit. None had a chance to develop policies in the national interest that take years to mature and to win broadly based electoral support.


John Menadue's book on Israel's war against Gaza

Israel's war against Gaza

Media coverage of the war in Gaza since October 2023 has spread a series of lies propagated by Israel and the United States. This publication presents information, analysis, clarification, views and perspectives largely unavailable in mainstream media in Australia and elsewhere.

Download the PDF

The US war on science
Noel Turnbull

The US war on science

Sadly, largely due to the media’s lack of interest in science and the drop in the number of journalists able to cover such a round, one of the most important stories about science — the Trump destruction of science — is largely being neglected.

Samah Sabawi – Cactus Pear for My Beloved
Tony Smith.

Samah Sabawi – Cactus Pear for My Beloved

This 2024 Penguin publication is a highly personal account of the history of Palestinian dispossession.

An open letter to The Greens
Sawsan Madina

An open letter to The Greens

On election night, I sat glued to the TV, hanging on Antony Green's every word. All I wanted was the defeat of the Liberals and huge gains for the Greens.

What should Labor do with its majority?
Louis Devine

What should Labor do with its majority?

The defining tension of Labor’s second term in office will be over how to interpret the landslide victory.

Politics courting religion: Religion courting politics
George Browning

Politics courting religion: Religion courting politics

An open letter to the Coalition leadership There has been a growing trend for Conservative politics in the US and in Australia to double down on support from conservative expressions of Christian religious faith. These religious views are not consistent with the values of most Australians, they are divisive. They do not represent the views of those with faith, like me, who find them at odds with the life and teaching of Jesus.

Chinese Australians’ rejection of the Liberal Party: Ten moments
Wanning Sun

Chinese Australians’ rejection of the Liberal Party: Ten moments

The rejection of the Liberal Party by Chinese Australian communities in the election was comprehensive and unambiguous.

There is no Jewish vote in Australia nor is supporting Israel a vote winner
Ali Kazak

There is no Jewish vote in Australia nor is supporting Israel a vote winner

The election results show that a pro-Israel policy does not garner votes for the Liberal or Labor parties, a trend also evident in the 2022 election.

Labor stops apologising for its social commitments
Jack Waterford

Labor stops apologising for its social commitments

Some of the most memorable political speeches made in Australia have been made by politicians who are leaving office.

Latest on Palestine and Israel

Samah Sabawi – Cactus Pear for My Beloved
Tony Smith.

Samah Sabawi – Cactus Pear for My Beloved

This 2024 Penguin publication is a highly personal account of the history of Palestinian dispossession.

Mark Leibler on his lobbying power
Pearls and Irritations

Mark Leibler on his lobbying power

In a speech he delivered back in 2018, Mark Leibler lays out how he exerts influence, from trying to block Bob Carr's efforts on recognition of a Palestinian State to watching ABC correspondent Sophie McNeill in order to change her coverage of the Middle East.

At the ICJ, only US and Hungary back Israel starving Gaza
Marjorie Cohn

At the ICJ, only US and Hungary back Israel starving Gaza

Thirty-seven states, the UN and international NGOs all condemned Israel’s denial of aid to the starving people of Gaza at the International Court of Justice in the first week of May.

'This isn't me': Israeli war and healthcare collapse leave Gaza child unrecognisable
Maha Hussaini

'This isn't me': Israeli war and healthcare collapse leave Gaza child unrecognisable

Under a tightening Israeli siege, Palestinian girl Rahaf Ayyad struggles with physical and emotional changes, as her mother fights for answers.

Aid to Gaza: Moral and political dilemmas for Australia
Bob Bowker

Aid to Gaza: Moral and political dilemmas for Australia

Amidst preparations for a renewed assault intended to allow permanent Israeli occupation of Gaza, Israel and the United States are also about to establish a mechanism through which humanitarian aid will henceforth be distributed exclusively by private firms protected by the Israeli military.

Re-elected Albanese Govt must condemn Israel's brutality and cut ties
Jewish Council of Australia

Re-elected Albanese Govt must condemn Israel's brutality and cut ties

On 5 May, the Israeli Parliament approved plans to annex and occupy Gaza. These plans have been discussed for months. This is a blatant mission to ethnically cleanse Gaza, advancing Israel’s colonial intentions to take over the territory and rid it of Palestinians.

Zionist lawfare comes for Australian journalist
Michelle Berkon

Zionist lawfare comes for Australian journalist

The Zionist federation of Australia  should be recognised as a duplicitous and malicious actor in Australian society and politics.

Mainstream media and distorted Palestine reporting
Pearls and Irritations

Mainstream media and distorted Palestine reporting

Australia’s  mainstream media have ignored and distorted the genocide in Palestine. A recent Australians for Humanity forum, chaired by former SBS newsreader Mary Kostakidis, and featuring Margaret Reynolds, Stuart Rees and Peter Slezak, tackled the issues and discussed what needs to be done.


John Menadue

Support our independent media with your donation

Pearls and Irritations leads the way in raising and analysing vital issues often neglected in mainstream media. Your contribution supports our independence and quality commentary on matters importance to Australia and our region.

Donate


Latest on China

Trump’s USAID cuts only accelerate the West’s miserly convergence with China
Shahar Hameiri,  Lee Jones

Trump’s USAID cuts only accelerate the West’s miserly convergence with China

china economy politics usa

Critics of the Trump administration’s assault on foreign aid warn that it will undermine the United States’ capacity to compete with China.

Shell-shocked voters of US allies choose stability over disruption
Alex Lo

Shell-shocked voters of US allies choose stability over disruption

Rather than left- or right-leaning political parties, citizens in Singapore, Australia and Canada chose steady hands to navigate geopolitical turbulence.

China touts new law as foundation for private sector growth
Sylvia Ma,  Ji Siqi

China touts new law as foundation for private sector growth

A week after the passage of a law on China’s private economy, officials said the bill would unleash the potential of the non-state sector.


More from Pearls and Irritations


Latest letters to the editor

Playground antics

Alyssa Aleksanian — Hazelbrook

From the disrespectful heckling and intimidation in parliament when certain MPs are speaking, to the factional infighting and manoeuvering, tell me how this is different from a school playground? I’ve worked in the latter for more than 20 years, and in all that time I haven’t seen children behave as badly as our politicians. No wonder teachers are reticent to put forward any of our leaders as societal role models.
National day of action needed

Brian Bycroft — Evans Head NSW

I read with interest the article, “There is no Jewish vote in Australia nor is supporting Israel a vote winner”. I agree it was apparent that the election result indicated underlying support for the Palestinian people. It would be a shame for this support to hibernate until the next election. It seems to me that there is a forthcoming opportunity – the UN 2 to 4 June conference on the two-state solution. There is an urgent need to mobilise the various bodies who have expressed support for the Palestinian cause into some kind of non-partisan national day of protest...
Bring back the whip

Bob Pearce — Adelaide SA

Whenever I hear of productivity improvement, I think of slavery and the whip. Improved productivity assumes equality and, like slavery, improvement is always at the expense of the least equal in our society, be it the slavery of old or the wage slaves of today. The whip, the loss of employment or the value of wages and conditions all are part of the productivity improvement story. Those benefitting most from productivity improvement are not the ones most affected by our latest round of crises. They are the ones out of low-paid jobs, the homeless and those over-represented in...
Labor 2025: purpose or puppetry?

Chris Young — Surrey Hills, Vic

Labor’s first term in office was risk-averse. As Peter Sainsbury observes, if Anthony Albanese’s primary aim was to stay in office he was very successful. But to what end? If Labor’s second term will deliver essential major reforms, these should include vital environmental reforms detailed by Sainsbury, and reforms to taxation, gambling advertising, and more. The environmental reforms are critical because without substantial reinforcement of current regulations we shall see accelerating environmental degradation. Should Labor do nothing on this — and continue to support new oil and gas and not make substantial tightening of our environmental protection laws...



Latest from Al Jazeera

Trump says US to lift Syria sanctions, ending years of Washington’s policy
US president declares sanctions have 'served their purpose' and this gives Syria 'a chance at greatness'.
India expels Pakistan diplomat as war of words simmers in place of fighting
Pakistan reiterates its commitment to the ceasefire but warns it will respond forcefully to any future Indian attacks.
US reality TV star Kim Kardashian testifies about Paris robbery
The suspects made off with nearly $6m in jewellery, in a robbery that prompted change in the entertainment industry.
Libya’s prime minister asserts control after deadly Tripoli violence
After clashes kill six in Tripoli, PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibah says a military operation restored calm in the capital.
US and Saudi Arabia agree to $142bn weapons sale during Trump visit
The White House says an agreement with Saudi Arabia includes investments in weapons and technology totaling $600bn.
Albania’s ruling Socialists secure majority in parliamentary vote
A near-complete ballot count shows the Socialist Party secured 52 percent of the votes or 82 of 140 parliamentary seats.