Our last, best chance – national environment laws that protect nature and power the net zero economy
Ken Henry

Our last, best chance – national environment laws that protect nature and power the net zero economy

I am addressing you today in my capacity as the chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation (ACBF). The ACBF is a not-for-profit, founded in 2021 to help decision-makers find means of securing the restoration of Australia’s natural environment in ways that support a thriving 21st century economy.

Donald Trump and his minions may yet do us a favour in ending AUKUS
John Menadue

Donald Trump and his minions may yet do us a favour in ending AUKUS

The US must be told that we will not be involved in any way and at any time in a war with China over Taiwan.

Albanese can afford to ignore noises and focus on delivering goods for voters
Wanning Sun

Albanese can afford to ignore noises and focus on delivering goods for voters

Although few can fault the prime minister for trying to generate more imports and exports with our biggest trading partner, everyone — ranging from an obscure Chinese social media influencer wannabe to Australian opposition luminaries such as Barnaby Joyce — has an opinion about the visit, and everyone seems to be ready to offer the prime minister a wealth of warnings and free advice.


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Federal Court rules Australian Government doesn’t have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change
Liz Hicks

Federal Court rules Australian Government doesn’t have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change

The Federal Court has handed down its long-awaited judgment in a four-year climate case brought by Torres Strait Islanders.

Trump wants us to spend a bomb on defence. We should think twice
Ross Gittins

Trump wants us to spend a bomb on defence. We should think twice

While I was on holiday, I had a kind of nightmare: suddenly, every rich country in the world — including us — is vowing to spend many billions more on defence each year. This will cost taxpayers an absolute bomb. Why exactly are we doing this?

An ambitious plan to combat antisemitism or an effective plan to silence Israel's critics?
Sawsan Madina

An ambitious plan to combat antisemitism or an effective plan to silence Israel's critics?

I watched the 7.30 interview with the special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, with mounting alarm. By the end of the interview, I was afraid for the future of Australia.

Australia needs to recognise the rationale for a US-China war has changed
Tim Thornton

Australia needs to recognise the rationale for a US-China war has changed

Up until the Trump era, it was understood that the United States might go to war with China to in order to defend democracy in Taiwan.

Israeli settlers kill, destroy and steal with impunity
Helen McCue

Israeli settlers kill, destroy and steal with impunity

This week there was another attack on a religious institution. No, not in Australia but in the ancient Christian village of Taibeh, a Palestinian village in the Occupied West Bank.

Funding models for primary health: Revolution, not evolution, required
Mary Chiarella,  Ken Griffin,  Leanne Boasse,  Chris Helms

Funding models for primary health: Revolution, not evolution, required

One of the authors was recently asked to be part of a panel for a discussion whose title was “Funding models for primary health: evolution not revolution” and where one of the questions asked (in advance to be fair) was “How far did I think we should go on funding alterations to optimise the scope of practice changes that have been proposed, without upsetting too many interest groups to the point where it becomes unproductive for all parties?”

Antisemitism and abuse of power
Les MacDonald

Antisemitism and abuse of power

In order to understand that word it is necessary to de-construct it and to understand its origin and history.

Is Australia finally coming to terms with East Asia?
Mark Beeson

Australia in Our Region

Is Australia finally coming to terms with East Asia?

Comedy and economic development have one thing in common: timing is everything.

Latest on Palestine and Israel

An ambitious plan to combat antisemitism or an effective plan to silence Israel's critics?
Sawsan Madina

An ambitious plan to combat antisemitism or an effective plan to silence Israel's critics?

I watched the 7.30 interview with the special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, with mounting alarm. By the end of the interview, I was afraid for the future of Australia.

Israeli settlers kill, destroy and steal with impunity
Helen McCue

Israeli settlers kill, destroy and steal with impunity

This week there was another attack on a religious institution. No, not in Australia but in the ancient Christian village of Taibeh, a Palestinian village in the Occupied West Bank.

The Israel lobby stands loudly condemned for its silence
Jeffrey Loewenstein

The Israel lobby stands loudly condemned for its silence

Reflect for a moment, as you read this piece, what is happening in Gaza.

Systematic bias: how Western media reproduces the Israeli narrative
Refaat Ibrahim

Systematic bias: how Western media reproduces the Israeli narrative

If words shape our consciousness, then the media holds the keys to minds.

Jillian Segal 'won’t dictate' to husband over $50,000 to Advance
Anthony Klan

Jillian Segal 'won’t dictate' to husband over $50,000 to Advance

The special envoy seeking to dictate the nation’s speech has suggested it was her husband who was responsible for $50,000 given to far-right group Advance — and that she won’t “dictate” his actions.

More than 5,800 Gaza children diagnosed with malnutrition in June: UNICEF
Brett Wilkins

More than 5,800 Gaza children diagnosed with malnutrition in June: UNICEF

Children's bodies are wasting away, the agency said. This is not just a nutrition crisis. It's a child survival emergency.

NYT report says Netanyahu prolonged war on Gaza to stay in power
Brad Reed

NYT report says Netanyahu prolonged war on Gaza to stay in power

He pressed ahead with the war in April and July 2024, even as top generals told him that there was no further military advantage to continuing, reports The New York Times.

Australian parliamentarians urgently need lessons in international law
Margaret Reynolds

Australian parliamentarians urgently need lessons in international law

As the new Parliament returns this month, it is timely to ask just how many Australian parliamentarians need urgent instruction in international law and how it impacts on government decision-making which complies with the United Nations rules-based order developed by the efforts of so many nations since 1945.


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

Latest on China

Albanese can afford to ignore noises and focus on delivering goods for voters
Wanning Sun

Albanese can afford to ignore noises and focus on delivering goods for voters

Although few can fault the prime minister for trying to generate more imports and exports with our biggest trading partner, everyone — ranging from an obscure Chinese social media influencer wannabe to Australian opposition luminaries such as Barnaby Joyce — has an opinion about the visit, and everyone seems to be ready to offer the prime minister a wealth of warnings and free advice.

Australia needs to recognise the rationale for a US-China war has changed
Tim Thornton

Australia needs to recognise the rationale for a US-China war has changed

Up until the Trump era, it was understood that the United States might go to war with China to in order to defend democracy in Taiwan.

Albanese’s visit to China is a moment for statesmanship
Geoff Raby

Albanese’s visit to China is a moment for statesmanship

Membership of the Chinese Communist Party has just exceeded 100 million. It has long been the largest political party in world history.


John Menadue

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Latest letters to the editor

Renewable meat

Julian Cribb — Canberra, ACT

Jeffery Soar correctly asks What about the animals? The answer (omitted for concision) is that in 20-25 years most meat protein will be produced in cell culture – beef, lamb, chicken, pork, fish and even dairy products. The product is real meat – it just never went moo. It is very close to economic now. This will spare the world a vast amount of destructive agriculture, overgrazing, and needless cruelty. It is a 21st century solution to a 21st century problem. As to whether people will eat it, 70 years ago they never thought they would dress in...
Australia's criminal alliance

Julian Cribb — Canberra, ACT

A majority of Americans voted for their nation to be run by criminals, conmen, child rapists, sexual abusers, billionaires, totalitarians, ignoramuses and racists. That's the kind of US they want. As Noel Turnbull succinctly shows, most Australians do not share the overt aims of the current US regime. Nor, if we asked them, would they share the values. Why, therefore, does the Albanese Government (or the LNP for that matter) still want an alliance with such degeneracy? As things stand, any alliance with the US constitutes a serious threat to Australian decency, fairness and democracy. Any political...
Yes, we need to move to a no-growth economy

Jenny Goldie — Cooma NSW

David Shearman is right: if we are to avert dangerous climate change (3 degrees C warming), then we need to move to a no-growth economy. This will be a hard call in Australia, given growth is the dominant economic paradigm. Try telling it to Jim Chalmers, or most economic editors of the mainstream press! It is sacrilege. Nevertheless, Julian Cribb (Humanity is risking catastrophe, 16 July) brought to our attention the 2025 Global Risks Report. Of the four environmental risks, it cites natural resource shortages and biodiversity decline. This should be enough to indicate that we have reached...
Let's hear more on deep ocean aquaculture

Jenny Goldie — Cooma NSW

Julian Cribb cites a possible part-solution to the world's food crisis, namely, deep ocean aquaculture. Unlike coastal fish farms, including the contentious Tasmanian salmon farms, aquaculture in the deep ocean allows currents to remove all wastes, which in coastal waters have destroyed wild ecosystems and threatened species such as the Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour. Deep ocean aquaculture would allow us to eat salmon without the overwhelming guilt that accompanies eating it now. It would help maintain global protein supplies which are at risk because land-based production of meat is exacerbating climate change through land-clearing and emissions from ruminants....



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