John Menadue

John Menadue is the Founder of Pearls and Irritations and a board member. He was formerly the Editor-in-Chief. John was the 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.

John Menadue's recent articles

From Whitlam to Andrew – the Palace and the politics of concealment

From Whitlam to Andrew – the Palace and the politics of concealment

Allegations of royal funding in Prince Andrew’s settlement revive deeper questions about the monarchy’s political conduct – from the dismissal of Gough Whitlam to claims of concealed influence and broken trust.

Authority is not leadership – and Australia keeps confusing the two

Authority is not leadership – and Australia keeps confusing the two

Australia’s political culture mistakes authority, comfort and continuity for leadership. Without the courage to create disequilibrium and confront hard choices, real reform remains impossible.

Terrorism – a blow back from western violence in Muslim countries

Terrorism – a blow back from western violence in Muslim countries

Terrorism dominates political debate and media coverage in Australia despite causing relatively few deaths. The deeper causes – western military violence, state power, and selective moral language – are rarely examined.

Scapegoating migrants is as old as history itself

Scapegoating migrants is as old as history itself

Scapegoating migrants is designed to distract our attention from the truth and real issues – the abuse of corporate and media power and failure to tackle housing shortages for younger generations.

Genocide is the story, not antisemitism

Genocide is the story, not antisemitism

The Australian government’s response to Gaza, and its handling of President Isaac Herzog’s visit, has blurred the line between antisemitism and criticism of Israel. The result is deeper division, weaker democracy and greater risk to Jewish communities.

Message from the Editor-in-Chief

Message from the Editor-in-Chief

Pearls and Irritations is entering a new phase, with Editor-in-Chief John Menadue stepping back from day-to-day leadership and new appointments strengthening our future.

The Zionist lobby, antisemitism and Herzog

The Zionist lobby, antisemitism and Herzog

Australia’s political and media response to Gaza, including the invitation to Israel’s president, reflects the influence of pro-Israel lobbying and the shrinking space for lawful criticism.

Greenland and western hypocrisy over the rules-based international order

Greenland and western hypocrisy over the rules-based international order

Western leaders defend the rules-based international order when it suits them, but remain largely silent as those same rules are breached by the United States and Israel. The result is a system that shields the powerful and abandons the vulnerable – most starkly in Palestine.

The United States is a lawless and dangerous ally. What is Australia's Plan B?

The United States is a lawless and dangerous ally. What is Australia's Plan B?

Mark Carney’s Davos speech highlights a world in rupture, not transition. Australia needs to rethink its dependence on the United States and begin preparing a credible Plan B.

Best of 2025 - Working with PM Fraser - the changeover - Part 1

Best of 2025 - Working with PM Fraser - the changeover - Part 1

John Menadue stayed on as the most senior public servant in the land, after the trauma of the Dismissal. In this 5-part series he details what life was like working with PM Fraser. Given his closeness to Whitlam, some of his conclusions are surprising.

Best of 2025 - The second Dismissal – the loans affair and meetings with Kerr

Best of 2025 - The second Dismissal – the loans affair and meetings with Kerr

The second part in a series of first-hand accounts of the Dismissal, from the man who was there: John Menadue.

Best of 2025 - Ambush and deceit

Best of 2025 - Ambush and deceit

The first in a series of first-hand accounts of the Dismissal, from the man who was there: John Menadue.

Best of 2025 - Albo, Trump and China: No one likes a loser

Best of 2025 - Albo, Trump and China: No one likes a loser

The first obvious takeaway is that our prime minister has been wise not to heed the Austral Americans urging him to get to Washington as soon as possible.

Best of 2025 - No justice or peace for Palestinians in Trump’s Plan

Best of 2025 - No justice or peace for Palestinians in Trump’s Plan

The Trump Plan is designed to reframe the issues in favour of Israel. Palestinians have been betrayed again.

Best of 2025 - Australia needs to diplomatically disengage from our 'dangerous ally'

Best of 2025 - Australia needs to diplomatically disengage from our 'dangerous ally'

It seems likely that our prime minister will meet Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly later this month.

Best of 2025 - John Menadue in conversation with David Marr

Best of 2025 - John Menadue in conversation with David Marr

In a wide-ranging discussion, P&I editor-in-chief John Menadue discusses a life full of achievement driven by conviction, and nominates seeing off the White Australia policy and establishing P&I as highlights. He is speaking with David Marr on ABC Radio National's Late Night Live.

2025 in Review: The fading West, a cautious Labor win and an uncertain world

2025 in Review: The fading West, a cautious Labor win and an uncertain world

From the erosion of Western authority to Australia’s election result, 2025 exposed deep shifts in global power, alliance politics and the limits of domestic reform.

China has neither the intent nor the capability to attack us

China has neither the intent nor the capability to attack us

Australia faces no credible military threat from China. The real danger lies in uncritical alignment with US strategy, fear-driven rhetoric and the steady erosion of national sovereignty.

Don’t take it from us – here’s what great Australians think of P&I

Don’t take it from us – here’s what great Australians think of P&I

At the time of writing, Pearls & Irritations is still $23,405 short of its critically needed fundraising target, with just four days remaining. Leading Australian thinkers explain why independent, expert-led analysis matters more than ever.

Pearls and Irritations is growing and changing – and needs your support

Pearls and Irritations is growing and changing – and needs your support

We need your financial support to raise an additional $58,500 to meet our $250,000 fundraising target by Monday 15 December.

P&I provides a moral compass, keeps hope alive and spurs on action

P&I provides a moral compass, keeps hope alive and spurs on action

'Let me also take this opportunity to say thank you for what you are doing for Australia. P&I provides a moral compass, keeps hope alive and spurs on action. Dr Jane Anderson Adjunct Research Fellow – Population and Global Health The University of Western Australia

Independent media is essential – and we urgently need your help

Independent media is essential – and we urgently need your help

We urgently need your financial support. We have raised only $78,000 towards our goal of $250,000 by mid-December.

Working with PM Fraser - parting words - Part 5 - Malcolm Fraser

Working with PM Fraser - parting words - Part 5 - Malcolm Fraser

John Menadue stayed on as the most senior public servant in the land, after the trauma of the Dismissal. In this five-part series he details what life was like working with PM Fraser. Given his closeness to Whitlam, some of his conclusions are surprising.

Working with PM Fraser - burying White Australia - Part 4

Working with PM Fraser - burying White Australia - Part 4

John Menadue stayed on as the most senior public servant in the land, after the trauma of the Dismissal. In this 5-part series he details what life was like working with PM Fraser. Given his closeness to Whitlam, some of his conclusions are surprising.

Working with PM Fraser - a country divided - Part 3

Working with PM Fraser - a country divided - Part 3

John Menadue stayed on as the most senior public servant in the land, after the trauma of the Dismissal. In this 5-part series he details what life was like working with PM Fraser. Given his closeness to Whitlam, some of his conclusions are surprising.

Working with PM Fraser - the business view - Part 2

Working with PM Fraser - the business view - Part 2

John Menadue stayed on as the most senior public servant in the land, after the trauma of the Dismissal. In this 5-part series he details what life was like working with PM Fraser. Given his closeness to Whitlam, some of his conclusions are surprising.

Nurturing the next generation of voices

Nurturing the next generation of voices

One of the things that sets P&I apart is the seniority and deep experience of many of our authors. And that will not change, facts and historical understanding of issues are essential if we are to tackle the huge issues confronting us all. But the other essential element is fresh thinking and the kind of sparkling hope and action that young Australians bring to the table.

Working with PM Fraser - the changeover - Part 1

Working with PM Fraser - the changeover - Part 1

John Menadue stayed on as the most senior public servant in the land, after the trauma of the Dismissal. In this 5-part series he details what life was like working with PM Fraser. Given his closeness to Whitlam, some of his conclusions are surprising.

The integrity of our media matters – please support Pearls and Irritations

The integrity of our media matters – please support Pearls and Irritations

We continue to see powerful interests shape the headlines and spread misinformation faster than facts in current times. That's why your support of what we do matters.

The Dismissal, the role of the CIA, MI6 and Austral Americans

The Dismissal, the role of the CIA, MI6 and Austral Americans

I was familiar with many of the events leading to the Dismissal on 11 November 1975. That knowledge was greatly increased by Professor Jenny Hocking with her long and successful campaign to have the Palace letters released.

Murdoch, the Dismissal and my job in Japan

Murdoch, the Dismissal and my job in Japan

Rupert Murdoch played a critical role in the Dismissal. He knew how to bring pressure on Kerr and provided strong support for Malcolm Fraser.

The Prince and the Dismissal

The Prince and the Dismissal

Anthony Albanese recently told us with bated breath from Balmoral Castle that Charles is someone who is very interested in Australia”. “Interested “would be an understatement.

The Queen’s implausible denial

The Queen’s implausible denial

It beggars belief that the Queen did not know that John Kerr was planning to sack Gough Whitlam. She may not have known the detail of the coup in progress, but she knew the substance. But like Lord Nelson she pretended she did not see anything. Nonsense.

The second Dismissal – the loans affair and meetings with Kerr

The second Dismissal – the loans affair and meetings with Kerr

The second part in a series of first-hand accounts of the Dismissal, from the man who was there: John Menadue.

What would Whitlam think of the Albanese Government?

What would Whitlam think of the Albanese Government?

Gough Whitlam’s head mandarin and Pearls & Irritations founder & editor-in-chief John Menadue shares what he sees as the lessons of the Whitlam years, one of which is that the powerful can never be trusted.

Ambush and deceit

Ambush and deceit

The first in a series of first-hand accounts of the Dismissal, from the man who was there: John Menadue.

Albo, Trump and China: No one likes a loser

Albo, Trump and China: No one likes a loser

The first obvious takeaway is that our prime minister has been wise not to heed the Austral Americans urging him to get to Washington as soon as possible.

No justice or peace for Palestinians in Trump’s Plan

No justice or peace for Palestinians in Trump’s Plan

The Trump Plan is designed to reframe the issues in favour of Israel. Palestinians have been betrayed again.

Two rights experts to address Press Club on Palestine recognition

Two rights experts to address Press Club on Palestine recognition

Two globally renowned figures in the field of human rights will address the National Press Club in Canberra on 1 October on the topic “Palestine recognition: necessary but insufficient”.

Australia needs to diplomatically disengage from our 'dangerous ally'

Australia needs to diplomatically disengage from our 'dangerous ally'

It seems likely that our prime minister will meet Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly later this month.

Climate change, not China, is the real threat in the South Pacific

Climate change, not China, is the real threat in the South Pacific

Countries of the South Pacific have good reason to encourage China and other countries to assist them with infrastructure. And there is nothing that Australia should, or could, do about it.

The real death toll in Gaza

The real death toll in Gaza

The widely “accepted” figure for Palestinian deaths in Gaza is more than 63,000. That is horrific enough , but the number is more likely nearer 300,000. And our media don’t care.

For 35 years after Vietnam, we had a self-reliant defence policy. We need it again

For 35 years after Vietnam, we had a self-reliant defence policy. We need it again

The US is almost always at war, not in defence of values and democracy but in its “manifest destiny” as the world hegemon.

John Menadue in conversation with David Marr

John Menadue in conversation with David Marr

In a wide-ranging discussion, P&I editor-in-chief John Menadue discusses a life full of achievement driven by conviction, and nominates seeing off the White Australia policy and establishing P&I as highlights. He is speaking with David Marr on ABC Radio National's Late Night Live.

The occupation and ethnic cleansing of Gaza was always Netanyahu’s intention

The occupation and ethnic cleansing of Gaza was always Netanyahu’s intention

On 19 December 2023, in Pearls and Irritations I wrote: Hamas is the excuse for the Israeli attack on Gaza. It is not the reason. The real Israeli reason and objective in Gaza is to drive out the population and destroy infrastructure as part of a long-term plan to expel Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere. This settler colonisation has been ongoing since 1948, starting with the Nakba.

Did the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945 end the war?

Did the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945 end the war?

The widely accepted moral justification for the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was that they brought a quick end to the war which if continued would result in more widespread deaths and destruction.

Our media refuse to call out genocide in Gaza

Our media refuse to call out genocide in Gaza

Through its love affair with Israel and intimidated by the Zionist lobby, our legacy media has enabled the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, Israel’s apartheid regime and the illegal occupation of Palestinian land over the past century.

Menadue on the dulling of the Australian conscience

Menadue on the dulling of the Australian conscience

Speaking with the Victorian Branch of Australian Fabians, P&I publisher,  founder and editor-in-chief, John Menadue, reflects on the his life and work, the state of national leadership and public institutions including a debased mainstream media.

Vale John Deeble - an architect of Medicare

Vale John Deeble - an architect of Medicare

Following John Menadue's refection on 50 years of Medicare this week, many have raised the contribution of John Deeble. Below is an edited version of a 2018 tribute to the man without whom the scheme would not have been possible.

Fifty years since that little green card came into being

Fifty years since that little green card came into being

Gough Whitlam had to do plenty of hard yakka to introduce an universal healthcare system. Today, it is central part of Australia life, and one of our great policy achievements.

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