Catriona Jackson
Catriona Jackson is the Editor, Pearls and Irritations
Catriona's recent articles
9 June 2025
Message from the editor
One of the things I love most about this job is the reading and listening (to radio).
2 June 2025
Message from the editor
In my first week as editor, back in mid-March, when open shoes were still viable in Canberra, I said that we at Pearls and Irritations do not pretend to be disinterested observers.
26 May 2025
Message from the editor
It has been difficult to focus on anything other than the escalating genocide in Palestine this week, as we witness, and document, a shift in opinion and coverage that has been far too long coming.
19 May 2025
Message from the editor
While most of the nation has reverted to paying little attention to federal politics, the town where I live (Canberra) has been soaking in it. Last week we witnessed three leadership contests (Greens, Nationals and Liberals) and one nasty stoush over the dumping of Cabinet ministers Ed Husic and Mark Dreyfus.
12 May 2025
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.
5 May 2025
Message from the editor
Welcome to a new week, after an extraordinary election result, the extent of which was neither expected nor predicted.
28 April 2025
Message from the editor
I’ll walk down to the local primary school next Saturday and cast my vote, but I will be in a minority. Most of my kids and both my parents would have already cast their ballots, along with two-thirds of the rest of the community.
22 April 2025
Message from the editor
Today, pre-polling opens across the country. The shape of campaigns in Australia has changed radically in the recent past.
14 April 2025
Message from the editor
One of the challenges for all of us right now is knowing where to look. Every minute a new set of tumultuous world events takes place. If you stop to focus on one you get trampled by 25 others. It is tempting to just pull up the doona – but then you would be letting them win.
7 April 2025
A message from the editor
Nobel prize-winning economist and former New York Times columnist Paul Krugman calls the Trump tariffs the biggest trade shock in history. In the immediate aftermath, incredulity and shock was widespread. The size, and wildly different levels, were not expected. And there were clearly some howlers as well. Norfolk Island (population 2188 people) with no known exports to the US, copped 29%. The uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands in the Antarctic got 10%. Angry penguin cartoons sprouted up all over the place.
31 March 2025
Message from the editor
At the start of the first full week of the federal election campaign, we are working hard to bring you a fuller picture of the key issues as we all consider the choices ahead of us. To that end, we will post more stories more often over the next five weeks.
28 March 2025
Election to be called for May 3 - message from the editor
With the news that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will make the trip to Government House early today, and the election will be called for May 3, Pearls and Irritations begins its election coverage.
28 March 2025
Ivy League convulsions – will we be next?
The shock waves continue from Columbia University’s capitulation to Trump administration demands that undermine its independence. The world is watching and waves are already crashing on Australia's shores.
24 March 2025
Message from the editor
A week into the job and I am deeply impressed by the strength and vigour of the community John has built around Pearls and Irritations. So many of you have sent very generous messages and I feel very welcome, and busy!
17 March 2025
A message from the new editor, Catriona Jackson
It is day one for me as editor and I want to express my thanks to editor-in-chief John Menadue and board members Michael Keating, Mike Gilligan, Joe Camilleri and Jocelyn Chey for placing their trust in me.