Politics courting religion: Religion courting politics
George Browning

Politics courting religion: Religion courting politics

politics,  religion

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.

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
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.

Productivity with purpose: Roy Green, structural reform and Australia’s place in the world
Stewart Sweeney

Productivity with purpose: Roy Green, structural reform and Australia’s place in the world

Roy Green’s recent article on productivity reform offers one of the most cogent and hopeful visions for Australia’s economic future.

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

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

Indonesia's old guard wants its old world back
Duncan Graham

Indonesia's old guard wants its old world back

Anthony Albanese’s pilgrimage to Jakarta this week as the new prime minister follows the standard post-election Hi Neighbours goodwill wave. But this time the parades and handshakes may get blurred by heat from Indonesia’s simmering Constitutional crisis.

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.

Message from the editor
Catriona Jackson

Message from the editor

Welcome to a new week, a new pope, a new cabinet and a new Opposition Leader. And for the first time, there are at least 57% women in the ALP caucus and record numbers of women across the federal Parliament.

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.

Can Albanese resist the temptation to fall for Trump’s flattery?
Paul Begley

Can Albanese resist the temptation to fall for Trump’s flattery?

Without wishing to rain on the Australian Labor Party’s victory parade, when our prime minister was congratulated and praised by Donald Trump the day after Labor won the 2025 federal election, alarm bells should have been ringing to alert his advisers.

Latest on Palestine and Israel

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.

Judaism and Zionism are not the same
Sara Dowse

Judaism and Zionism are not the same

No doubt about it. We live in a topsy-turvy world. How Kafkaesque can it get, when some of Zionism’s most fervent supporters have been politicians like Scott Morrison, Peter Dutton or — God help us — the Mad King of Mar-a-Lago?

John Menadue

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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.

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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.

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Critical minerals offer a path to check US unilateralism
Ken Heydon

Critical minerals offer a path to check US unilateralism

Recognising and embracing AI in research
Namesh Killemsetty,  Prachi Bansal

Recognising and embracing AI in research

In memory of the Marshall Plan – a primer for Gen Z
Gordon Gregory

In memory of the Marshall Plan – a primer for Gen Z

The New Pope – Leo XIV
Paul Collins

The New Pope – Leo XIV

Dutton’s election campaign rout lets RBA off the hook
Ross Gittins

Dutton’s election campaign rout lets RBA off the hook

In the age of the influencer, does the political backing of News Corp matter anymore?
Edward Hurcombe

In the age of the influencer, does the political backing of News Corp matter anymore?

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

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

Environment: Will Labor now protect our environment? If not now, probably never
Peter Sainsbury

Environment: Will Labor now protect our environment? If not now, probably never

'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

Dreyfus leaves little legacy
Greg Barns

Dreyfus leaves little legacy

New pope faces limits on changes he can make to the Church
Dennis Doyle

New pope faces limits on changes he can make to the Church

'Escalation risks catastrophe': Restraint urged as Pakistan hits back after Indian strikes
Brett Wilkins

'Escalation risks catastrophe': Restraint urged as Pakistan hits back after Indian strikes

Latest letters to the editor

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...
Was it a strategic mistake to sack Husic?

Doug Foskey — Tregeagle

I am wondering if the ALP has made a strategic mistake in removing Ed Husic (who I have always found to be a reasonable politician). In saying this, I look to Senator Fatima Payman, who has started a new party after resigning. My reason for wondering is the tendency these days to split issues instead of being inclusive. In my personal judgment, I feel the person who should go is Richard Marles, who I have never been fond of. I feel he is not a particlarly effective politician, so give someone else a go at the Defence portfolio,...
Greg Barns is spot on about Mark Dreyfus

Marion Buchanan — White Gum Valle, WA

I am a barrister in Western Australia. I spent three years working as an adviser to the WA Attorney General, John Quigley, MLA, who recently retired. I do not always agree with Greg Barnes. But his article on Mark Dreyfus KC is well thought out and an analysis that I hope our prime minister reads. It is almost certainly too late to change his pick for the next AG. I just hope he has it right this time. We are all failing when it comes to incarcerating children. And the Legal Aid budgets are shameful. Obviously, as a...
Legacy media is losing its influence

Dave Young — North Queensland

Thanks to Edward Hurcombe for his clear analysis. Legacy media have less relevance in affecting the flow of information, and subsequent opinion moulding, than before. Most certainly. But those who want to play the game of sensationalist click-bait headlines will still get their stories published on Yahoo! news et al, especially if in the Chris Lorax league (Mad As Daily Telegraph character). They still get to the 40-60-year-old bracket of disengaged-from-politics voters who make up their minds based on not very much. Moreover the weighting of what constitutes the centre is heavily influenced by the extremists...

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Employment 31 Finance 2 Health 1466 History 44 Immigration 944 Indigenous Affairs 367 Israel Palestine 1032
Media 1715 Podcast 43 Policy 121 Politics 16924 Racism 15 Religion 1203 Review 16
The Human Future 38 Our Top Five Each Week 1950 USA 383 World 1101

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