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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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 »
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Gaza genocide protests by students shames the elites in the Western world
These elites in politics, business, media, and church have brought shame on themselves and us. Either covertly or overtly they have supported or wilfully ignored the genocide. History will be a very harsh judge. Continue reading »
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Supporting independent public interest media
Government media funding supports the failing mainstream media (MSM) and right-wing advocacy groups like the Institute of Public Affairs. Continue reading »
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The lobbying scourge
The major obstacle to lobbying reform is that for members of parliament, their staff and senior officials, lobbying provides a very lucrative income when they leave parliament, the military or the public service. So they refuse to act on the lobbying scourge. Continue reading »
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We need a People’s Tribunal on Palestine and Gaza
As the UN Security Council finally overcomes the US’ calculated protection of Israel’s aggression in order to pass a ceasefire resolution in Gaza; the failure of the UN, the US and western media to give us the full and true story of the Palestinian tragedy has become clear. We cannot rely on compromised bodies such Continue reading »
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A terrorist state and a declining US empire wage genocide
Hamas is the excuse for the Israeli attack on Gaza. The real intent is to expel all Palestinians not just from Gaza but from the West Bank as well. 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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The CPC is brainwashing its members to not attack other countries says AI
Recently there was an interesting piece in the South China Morning Post on “Communist Party orders cells to study Xi Jinping Thought and learn speeches” See China’s Communist Party orders cells to make Xi Jinping Thought a priority, cadres must study president’s speeches, South China Morning Post. Continue reading »
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Podcast: A rapacious America and the loss of Australian sovereignty
John Menadue, Editor-in-Chief of Pearls and Irritations, interviews Dr Mike Gilligan on the challenge of building a self-reliant Australian defence force, dealing with a rapacious America intent on its own interests, avoiding a US-proxy war with China, and the loss of Australian sovereignty under the 2014 Force Posture Agreement (FPA). Continue reading »
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Podcast: The Tragedy of Gaza
John Menadue, Editor-in-Chief of Pearls and Irritations interviews former Australian Senator Margaret Reynolds on the role of the United Nations, Australian foreign policy and the tragedy unfolding in Gaza. Continue reading »
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John Menadue: filling the policy vacuum ABC Listen
John Menadue has had a long and distinguished career in both the public and private sectors. These days he’s an active blogger – holding and advocating strong views on a range of issues. In this conversation he discusses Australia in 2016 which he says is a far better place than the one he grew up Continue reading »
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Classic LNL: Phillip Adams talks with John Menadue
John Menadue talks to Phillip Adams about being an outsider, about his career in politics, particularly about the criticism surrounding his decision to continue as Head of the Department of Prime Minister after the dismissal on 11 November, 1975 and about his deep spiritual beliefs. Originally broadcast on 12/10/99. Continue reading »
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The Search for the Palace Letters – a remarkable documentary
The Search for the Palace Letters is a remarkable documentary that follows the story of Professor Jenny Hocking, the historian who took on an epic legal battle against the Australian Government and HM Queen Elizabeth II in a landmark legal battle – and won. Aired on ABC earlier this week, you can view the documentary Continue reading »
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The Search for the Palace Letters
Controversial documentary, THE SEARCH FOR THE PALACE LETTERS to premiere on ABC TV + iview on Monday 8 January at 8:00pm AEDT 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 »
