Writer
John Menadue
John Menadue is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Pearls and Irritations. He was formerly Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet under Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, Ambassador to Japan, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and CEO of Qantas.
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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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Summing up
The world and its people are facing very serious local and global emergencies. Climate change, economic instability, limits to free speech, threats to independent media and increasing social inequality all signal the breakdown of democratic systems across the world. The genocide in Gaza and the war in Ukraine are ongoing. Our political institutions and leaders Continue reading »
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In defence of free speech about genocide in Gaza
Early in the New Year, acclaimed journalist and former SBS news anchor Mary Kostakidis posted a statement on her X account in the hope it would bring to a close legal proceedings brought against her in the Australian Human Rights Commission by the CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia, alleging that social media posts Continue reading »
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Will the Cocos Islands become like Diego Garcia, hijacked by the US?
The 2000 residents of Diego Garcia were forcibly removed to make way for a giant US military base. Continue reading »
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The US sees China through the dark mirror of its own unbridled aggression
As China grows and prospers many in the US want us to believe that China will follow the same path that the US itself pursued – global military aggression, the overthrow of numerous governments around the world and persecution of minorities at home. (A repost from February 2023.) Continue reading »
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White Man’s Media: The Washington consensus and legacy media frames and conditions our thinking and actions
In Gaza we have witnessed a litany of lies by Israel and America peddled by our media day after day.The lives of white Jews and Christians are clearly more valuable than the lives of brown Muslims. Continue reading »
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John Menadue on Rupert Murdoch, the Last Mogul
We have a major problem with the damage that Rupert Murdoch has done to newspapers in Australia, and any self-respecting government should take steps to correct that as soon as possible. Continue reading »
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Pearls and Irritations – Editor Position
Our current editor Dr. Aran Martin is leaving us at the end of January. He has given excellent service to Pearls and Irritations. We are seeking a new editor and share the role description below. Continue reading »
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The United States empire is almost always at war
The US empire is addicted to a belief in its exceptionalism, grounded in aggression both at home and abroad, and finding it hard to admit mistakes. Continue reading »
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Vale Susie Menadue
Life is changed, not ended. Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease over two years ago, Susie Menadue died peacefully, surrounded by her family on October 24, aged 79. Continue reading »
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King Charles of Australia to revisit the scene of his earlier crime
With the active support of Prince Charles, now King Charles, John Kerr planned the dismissal of Gough Whitlam in 1975. Continue reading »
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The context for October 7 is wilfully and deliberately ignored
October 7 did not occur in a vacuum. It was the result of decades long Israeli occupation, never ending violence and oppression of Palestinians. The pressure cooker exploded! Continue reading »
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Will the QUAD go the same way as SEATO – another lame duck?
Almost the first thing Anthony Albanese did after becoming PM was to jump on a plane for a QUAD meeting in Tokyo. He was accompanied by Andrew Shearer, the head of the Office of National Intelligence. Ever since, Albanese has been in the grip of our intelligence services which have been effectively colonised by the Continue reading »
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What our donors have told us
I have such admiration for Pearls and Irritations. Thanks so much. Unfortunately my donation can’t match my admiration. Anonymous Continue reading »
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Nelson Mandela warned us that ‘the US has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world’
That warning was 20 years ago, but in the years since, the US has continued in its violent and aggressive ways, cloaking its violence and aggression with bromides about a rules-based international order and defence of democratic values. If only that was true. Continue reading »
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A minority Labor Government is likely after the next election
Public polls and what I have heard of private polls suggest we may be facing a very new political ball game after the next federal election. Continue reading »
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We value our readers and seek your point of view
Thank you for the important work you are doing in providing an informed, alternative analysis on news that is independent from mainstream media. Donor, August 2024 Continue reading »
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Tackling the issues swept aside by mainstream media
Pearls and Irritations is one of the few media with an independent voice left in Australia that is willing to focus on issues of substance. May their voice grow stronger! Donor, August 2024 Continue reading »
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America is the most violent, aggressive country in the world
Of the international intelligence information that comes to Australian agencies from the Five Eyes, 90% comes from the CIA and related US intelligence agencies. So in effect we have the colonisation of our intelligence agencies These agencies dominate the advice to Ministers writes John Menadue. Continue reading »
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A fiercely independent, independent media
“I really value P & I, for its individualistic and thoughtful commentary at this difficult time – and its provision of a platform to experienced commentators with no connection to business or political bias. I do not subscribe or buy mainstream newspapers”. Continue reading »
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The Americanisation of our public policy, media and national interest
John Menadue AO eminent former public servant, ambassador and businessman – now independent founder, publisher and Editor in Chief of the online public policy journal ‘Pearls and Irritations‘ – offers an in depth conversation about how Australian public policy is making us more vulnerable in dangerous geopolitical times, by compromising pursuit of our sovereign interests, Continue reading »
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Can you help Pearls and Irritations raise the bar in Australia’s media landscape?
As an independent media, Pearls and Irritations is only supported by the generous donations and monthly subscriptions from our readers. Can you help? Continue reading »
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New Governance arrangements for Pearls and Irritations
From a private to a public company and determined to fill the void left by our monopoly and Washington focussed media. Continue reading »
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News Corp – How a rogue organisation operates. A repost from 27 October 2017-slightly updated.
Rupert Murdoch demands loyalty from his followers, not competence. Continue reading »
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Twenty thousand articles in Pearls and Irritations and counting
It was quite a surprise when I noticed last week that we had posted so many articles over 13 years. Continue reading »
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Australian Leadership to end the war on Gaza: open letter to the Prime Minister
We write to express our extreme concern that Senator Payman has resigned from the Labor Government. Continue reading »
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A win is a win, but clear lessons on Gaza from the UK election
The British Labour Party (BLP) won 32% of the vote but with First Past the Post voting it won 62% of the seats. That was the biggest gap on record between votes won and the number of seats. Continue reading »
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Summing up
The world and its people are facing serious local and global challenges. Climate change, economic instability, limits to free speech, threats to independent media reporting, and increasing social inequality all signal the breakdown of democratic systems across the world. Our political institutions and leaders are failing us with increasingly conservative policies that favour big business. Continue reading »
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Private hospitals seeking more government subsidies
Instead of churning more taxpayer money through Private Health Insurance funds to private hospitals, the Commonwealth Government should establish a Hospital Benefits Fund (HBF), similar to the Medical Benefits Fund (MBF), with benefits going directly to patients for payments to a hospital of their choice. Continue reading »
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Will the Cocos Islands become like Diego Garcia, highjacked by the US?
The 2000 residents of Diego Garcia were forcibly removed to make way for a giant US military base. Continue reading »
