Jack's articles (491 total)

More immigration is a must, not an option
Jack Waterford

More immigration is a must, not an option

Australia needs a migration policy based on workforce reality, not populist fear, racial resentment or a political race to match One Nation’s impossible promises.

The truth, forced out, is more damaging than coming clean
Jack Waterford

The truth, forced out, is more damaging than coming clean

A new round of royal commissions and public inquiries may expose not only corruption and mismanagement, but the deeper erosion of public trust in politics, parties and institutions.

Labor cannot small-target its way past Hanson
Jack Waterford

Labor cannot small-target its way past Hanson

Labor’s cautious path to a third term may be electorally defensible, but avoiding a fundamental argument with Pauline Hanson leaves both Hansonism and Labor’s own weaknesses untouched.

Trachoma finally on the way out in Australia
Jack Waterford

Trachoma finally on the way out in Australia

Fred Hollows’ trachoma program exposed appalling Aboriginal health conditions and helped drive the growth of community-controlled health services.

All Australians have the right to be protected against violence
Jack Waterford

All Australians have the right to be protected against violence

The royal commission must confront hatred and violence against Jewish Australians while preserving free speech, political criticism of Israel and equal protection for all communities.

The pity of modern systemic corruption in politics
Jack Waterford

The pity of modern systemic corruption in politics

The coming NSW ICAC hearings are only part of a deeper problem. Entrenched factional power, gambling interests and political cowardice are corroding trust in Australia’s institutions.

PMs can't blame racist populists for their own timidity
Jack Waterford

PMs can't blame racist populists for their own timidity

It's too late for Starmer, but Albanese has two years to take a bold stance against Hansonism and explain to the public his own plan.

Australia was defeated by Iran too
Jack Waterford

Australia was defeated by Iran too

Australia’s support for the US-Israeli war on Iran has again exposed the reflexive subservience of Australian foreign policy, tying the country to another failed American military adventure that did nothing to serve the national interest.

Hanson is winning because politics has stopped listening
Jack Waterford

Hanson is winning because politics has stopped listening

Pauline Hanson’s rise cannot be countered by facts, logic or clever campaign tactics alone, because One Nation’s appeal is rooted in disgust, alienation and a belief that mainstream politics no longer listens.

How governments move into Mafia – or Trump – territory
Jack Waterford

How governments move into Mafia – or Trump – territory

Australia’s crisis of trust is being deepened by opaque lobbying, revolving-door appointments, weak accountability and an insider culture that gives powerful interests privileged access to government.

A no-party party could work for community independents
Jack Waterford

A no-party party could work for community independents

A party of community independents funded on the same basis as the other parties might be just what we need to deliver good government and a vibrant democracy.

Albo stumbles with the hard sell
Jack Waterford

Albo stumbles with the hard sell

Of all the things which most frustrate about the Albanese government is the tendency of ministers to fall into a form of paralysis the moment it meets any sort of organised opposition, particularly from lobbies of the rich and powerful.

A small but definite step for a timid prime minister, a tiny jump for Labor
Jack Waterford

A small but definite step for a timid prime minister, a tiny jump for Labor

The 2026 Budget marks a rare moment where Labor showed some willingness to confront inequality and tax reform, but the government still shrank from the scale of change the moment demanded.

Time to rob old relics to bring up new generations
Jack Waterford

Time to rob old relics to bring up new generations

The principle that those who are best off should be paying more tax as a proportion than those of more modest income is a fundamental one. That includes baby boomers.

Let’s hope Bell looks for real antisemitism, not being anti-Israel
Jack Waterford

Let’s hope Bell looks for real antisemitism, not being anti-Israel

Here’s hoping that the royal commission into the Bondi massacre of last December does not turn into partisan point-scoring, least of all over whether the Albanese government effectively 'caused' the tragic massacre by reducing its activity against antisemitism in the aftermath of the October 2024 Hamas attack on Israelis.

The NDIS reform is a real test of Labor’s courage
Jack Waterford

The NDIS reform is a real test of Labor’s courage

The proposed NDIS overhaul marks a rare moment of substantive reform – and a test of whether the Albanese government is willing to follow through in the face of political pressure.

It takes two to make alliances and the US may run away first
Jack Waterford

It takes two to make alliances and the US may run away first

As US commitment to alliances wavers, Australia faces urgent questions about its security, independence, and place in a rapidly shifting global order.

Albo’s signature secrecy will ultimately bring him down
Jack Waterford

Albo’s signature secrecy will ultimately bring him down

A court-ordered release of the Pezzullo report is a win for transparency – but it exposes a deeper culture of secrecy and institutional failure.

Pope trumps Hegseth and his doomed crusade
Jack Waterford

Pope trumps Hegseth and his doomed crusade

Clashes between church leaders and Trump highlight tensions over religion, power and the justification of war.

Mickey J: an Australian always, quietly, making a big difference
Jack Waterford

Mickey J: an Australian always, quietly, making a big difference

At a time of diminished political leadership, the legacy of Fred Hollows and Michael Johnson shows what practical, principled internationalism can achieve.

Albanese risks losing the voters who put him there
Jack Waterford

Albanese risks losing the voters who put him there

From foreign policy to domestic reform, Labor risks alienating key supporters and wasting a moment of political opportunity in a volatile landscape.

Freedom at last for the Robodebt Six, thanks to the NACC
Jack Waterford

Freedom at last for the Robodebt Six, thanks to the NACC

New findings from the anti-corruption commission clear several figures of corruption over Robodebt, but the affair still exposes profound failures in public administration.

Cowardice and kowtowing risk Australia becoming the fall guy in Trump’s wars and deals
Jack Waterford

Cowardice and kowtowing risk Australia becoming the fall guy in Trump’s wars and deals

As the US–Israeli war on Iran unfolds, Australia faces the danger of being drawn into American power politics while sacrificing its independence and credibility in the region.

Albanese’s decision will follow him into the history books – and define us too
Jack Waterford

Albanese’s decision will follow him into the history books – and define us too

Anthony Albanese’s refusal to assist Australian women and children in Syrian detention camps may prove to be the defining act of his prime ministership – not for its prudence, but for what it reveals about leadership, moral courage and the limits of political calculation.

Albanese’s real opponent is not Angus Taylor
Jack Waterford

Albanese’s real opponent is not Angus Taylor

Coalition turmoil has handed Anthony Albanese political space few prime ministers enjoy. Whether he uses it to govern with purpose – or continues to drift – is now the central question.

A government without an effective opposition is a danger to democracy
Jack Waterford

A government without an effective opposition is a danger to democracy

The Coalition’s internal decay has left Australia without an effective opposition at a time when scrutiny, debate and accountability are more necessary than ever. The result is not just a party in trouble, but a democratic failure.

Cruelty as policy only works until the public recoils
Jack Waterford

Cruelty as policy only works until the public recoils

Trump’s immigration crackdown reveals how governments test public tolerance for cruelty exercised in the name of order – a lesson with clear echoes in Australia’s own recent history.

Trump’s tariffs and threats are pushing the world to look elsewhere
Jack Waterford

Trump’s tariffs and threats are pushing the world to look elsewhere

The EU–India trade deal marks more than a commercial agreement. It signals a growing willingness among major economies to reduce their exposure to US coercion and to build new trade frameworks beyond Washington’s reach.

Trump fills the great Albo silence
Jack Waterford

Trump fills the great Albo silence

Australia’s leaders are trying to avoid becoming a target in a harsher, more coercive world. But silence and caution can’t substitute for strategy – or for honest leadership that levels with the public.

Gory sausage making at the Labor knackery
Jack Waterford

Gory sausage making at the Labor knackery

“Social coherence” is being invoked everywhere, but public trust is fraying. Political panic, rushed laws and weak leadership are deepening division, not repairing it.

Best of 2025 - Richo’s grave should be extra deep
Jack Waterford

Best of 2025

Best of 2025 - Richo’s grave should be extra deep

Graham Richardson was a very successful operator of the Labor Party from the late 1970s who was distinctly short on redeeming virtues.

There must be an accounting when the music stops
Jack Waterford

There must be an accounting when the music stops

After Bondi, public anxiety, political pressure and rising criticism of Israel have collided. As definitions of antisemitism are contested, government judgement, media influence and social cohesion are under strain.

This one’s on Netanyahu, not Albanese
Jack Waterford

This one’s on Netanyahu, not Albanese

The Bondi massacre sits within a wider international context that has reshaped public attitudes to Israel, antisemitism and protest, complicating how grief, fear and responsibility are understood in Australia.

How Sofronoff became a foot soldier in a war against woke
Jack Waterford

How Sofronoff became a foot soldier in a war against woke

Judicial findings have significantly undermined the credibility of Walter Sofronoff’s inquiry into the Lehrmann trial, raising serious questions about bias, process and the influence of media on judicial conduct.

Patronage over principle: why Katy Gallagher’s ‘flexibility’ betrays good government
Jack Waterford

Patronage over principle: why Katy Gallagher’s ‘flexibility’ betrays good government

Labor once promised to end cronyism in public appointments. The government’s rejection of enforceable rules instead entrenches discretionary power, weakens accountability and undermines confidence in good governance.

Why our government protects gambling apps but bans TikTok
Jack Waterford

Why our government protects gambling apps but bans TikTok

Australia’s social media restrictions on children were sold as decisive action on harm. But the policy risks becoming symbolic, unenforceable, and ultimately counterproductive.

Will there be Liberals around to take power in 2034?
Jack Waterford

Will there be Liberals around to take power in 2034?

The Liberal Party’s rejection of net-zero and its lack of compelling leadership or clear policy vision has left it floundering with key voter groups. Without a coherent plan to make a difference, it risks a long spell in opposition.

Richo’s grave should be extra deep
Jack Waterford

Richo’s grave should be extra deep

Graham Richardson was a very successful operator of the Labor Party from the late 1970s who was distinctly short on redeeming virtues.

It’s Ley, or virtually certain Liberal self-immolation
Jack Waterford

It’s Ley, or virtually certain Liberal self-immolation

People closer to the action than I are suggesting that the end is nigh for Sussan Ley. They may be right; momentum is often all in these matters.

AFP set to fight the devil among our children
Jack Waterford

AFP set to fight the devil among our children

The new AFP Commissioner, Krissy Barrett, would not be the first AFP Commissioner or statutory head to think that she can reinvent her job and its functions with the help of a savvy media unit.

Albo brings peace in our time
Jack Waterford

Albo brings peace in our time

The prospect of a military confrontation between the US and China is receding, as is the prospect of a conflict over Taiwan, according to a relaxed Donald Trump talking to Australian journalists and politicians during Anthony Albanese’s visit to Washington. But even if conflict were to occur, America might not be calling on Australia, or Britain, to fight alongside it.

Australia’s political parties are moving to their use-by date
Jack Waterford

Australia’s political parties are moving to their use-by date

Sooner or later Anthony Albanese or his successor will lead the Labor Government to defeat.

How Israel lost a war by not deserving to win
Jack Waterford

How Israel lost a war by not deserving to win

It is ultimately futile and probably wicked to calculate winners and losers in a war against civilians, least of all on any sort of balance sheet weighing and measuring the value of dead bodies.

Steerage for the Australian-PNG navy?
Jack Waterford

Steerage for the Australian-PNG navy?

The mutual defence treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea could be a masterstroke for both countries, if our defence boffins could think laterally. I bet they won’t.

Will Hastie face his manifest destiny?
Jack Waterford

Will Hastie face his manifest destiny?

Assuming that Andrew Hastie is not taken from us by the apparently imminent Rapture, he may soon come up for judgment. It is very hard to imagine him leading the Liberal Party anywhere other than over a cliff.

The stars suggest Albo should stay at home
Jack Waterford

The stars suggest Albo should stay at home

If I were drafting astrology advice for Anthony Albanese over the next few weeks, I would be hinting that it was the worst possible time for international travel, and that a serious bout of diplomatic flu might be the best way to secure his (and Australia’s) long-term interests.

AFP won’t look in the mirror of a murder of one of their own
Jack Waterford

AFP won’t look in the mirror of a murder of one of their own

It is nearly 37 years since assistant commissioner Col Winchester, head of the ACT arm of the Australian Federal Police, was shot twice in the head soon after he drove his car into the driveway alongside his Deakin home.

Albo is breaking the moral contract with voters
Jack Waterford

Albo is breaking the moral contract with voters

It seems impossible that the Coalition could hope to win government with policies more popular than Labor’s over the next two terms of parliament.

When spying is subcontracted to gangsters
Jack Waterford

When spying is subcontracted to gangsters

ASIO deserves a good deal of credit for the cool and professional way in which it gathered and collected information to demonstrate to ministers its belief that members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had been behind at least two terrorist incidents in Melbourne and Sydney this year. Diplomats not alleged to have known of this have been tossed out as a result.

Peace in Gaza needs a full accounting by both sides
Jack Waterford

Peace in Gaza needs a full accounting by both sides

Suppose that one day the states of Europe wearied of the prolonged slaughter, genocide and war crimes in Gaza and resolved to intervene to end the fighting and to bring about a settlement.

Earlier Articles (441 more)

DateTitleCategories
2025-08-19Finance’s bleeding hearts think PwC has suffered enoughpolitics
2025-08-12The long hand of your country of originpolitics
2025-08-05The time has come for a Palestinian nationisrael-palestine, politics
2025-07-29Ley must be saved from drowning over net zeroclimate, politics
2025-07-22Trump’s negotiation position diminishes as Albo sits him outchina, politics
2025-07-15The politics of a police criminal organisationindigenous-affairs, policy, politics, topfive
2025-07-08Engulfed in a moral panic about childcare assaultsmedia, politics
2025-07-01Bunker busters shook us allpolitics, world
2025-06-24Is Albo reverting to compulsive secrecy?defence, politics
2025-06-17Nuclear subs taking on waterdefence, policy, politics
2025-06-10Political parties are failing to attract new members. Not only womenpolitics
2025-06-03Time again for stewards to do a moral health check-upindigenous-affairs, politics
2025-05-27Not many splashed in the short-lived teacup revoltpolitics
2025-05-20The US Supremes, not its critics, are trashing the rule of lawpolitics, topfive, usa
2025-05-13Labor stops apologising for its social commitmentspolitics
2025-05-06Dutton defeated in unexciting and uninspiring battlefield scrappolitics
2025-04-29Aussie cardinals in short supply at papal conclavepolitics, religion, world
2025-04-23Crossbench pressure will lift and improve Albo’s gamepolitics
2025-04-15Federal election: A different type of beauty contestpolitics
2025-04-08We should walk away — quickly — from Trump’s Americapolitics, world
2025-04-01Will things fall apart? Can the centre hold?politics, topfive
2025-03-25We can’t unscramble the AUKUS and ANZUS eggspolitics, world
2025-03-18ANZUS and NATO are kaput and Trump doesn’t caredefence, politics, topfive, usa
2025-03-11Are America’s values our values anymore?politics, topfive, usa, world
2025-03-04The public is slow to believe the best of politicianspolitics, topfive
2025-02-25Silence is golden for a smart independentpolitics
2025-02-18Teals should hammer unfinished integrity agenda politics
2025-02-11Yes, let’s have an inquiry into the smelly Dural caravan affairpolitics
2025-02-04Who’s tough enough not to pull the AUKUS trigger?politics
2025-01-28Will public servants become agents of the party rather than the state?politics
2025-01-21Laurel-less Biden limps for the exit. Will Albanese be next?israel-palestine, politics
2025-01-14A clear and present danger to the peace of the worldpolitics, usa
2025-01-07Steering without a compass or a mappolitics
2024-12-31Whipping up Aboriginal enthusiasmpolitics
2024-12-24Few voters think they have benefitted much from Labor in governmentpolitics, topfive
2024-12-17To defeat Dutton, Labor needs inspiration and leadership from its ‘mortal enemy’ …media, politics
2024-12-10Albo’s pre-emptive kowtow to an imagined Westminsterpolitics
2024-12-03Does Albo even deserve to win?politics, topfive
2024-11-26Distorting elections: Australia’s professional politicians feather their own …politics, topfive
2024-11-19Labor, party of the comfortably housed, needs the Greenspolitics
2024-11-12Like Kamala, Albanese doesn’t seem to get itpolitics, world
2024-11-05Albanese’s limp self-defence aggravated the damage of Qantas allegationspolitics
2024-10-29Keeping the public in the dark: Is it time to scrap the NACC and start again?politics
2024-10-22ACT Labor holds on, but are wheels coming off the Albanese re-election campaign?politics
2024-10-15ACT’s Barr will struggle to overcome belief he has been in power too longpolitics
2024-10-08Australia poised to enter another US-led Middle East warpolitics, usa, world
2024-10-01If we can’t have vision, let’s have boldness and strength of purposeeconomy, politics
2024-09-24Public Service Commission is an enemy of the public and the public interestpolitics
2024-09-17Kamala still facing electoral college hurdlespolitics, usa
2024-09-10It’s now too late for Labor to fix its re-election problemspolitics
2024-09-03Stewards should have an early look at this roughie racehorseeconomy, politics
2024-08-27Labor on the AUKUS battlegrounddefence, politics, topfive
2024-08-20Labor makes industry by embracing its gambling matespolitics
2024-08-13Albo may struggle to enthuse his followerspolitics
2024-08-06Slogans masquerading as policies - the Dutton playbook?politics, usa, world
2024-07-30Kamala is still the underdogpolitics, usa
2024-07-23Martyrdom transforms Trumppolitics, usa, world
2024-07-17Albo’s envoys will entrench religious and political divisions for generationsisrael-palestine, politics
2024-07-16Trump is the old man most likely to win the US electionpolitics, usa
2024-07-10APS reform bus runs out of solar powerpolitics
2024-07-09Payman becomes symbol for discontent with Laborisrael-palestine, politics, topfive
2024-07-02Beware: corrupt conduct is not always criminalpolitics
2024-06-25Nuclear vibrations pose more threat to Albo than Duttonpolitics
2024-06-18Only shame can make integrity guardians do their dutypolitics
2024-06-11Corruption commission has yet to prove its worthpolitics, topfive
2024-06-04Canberra bureaucrats commissioning NT houses unfit for purposeindigenous-affairs
2024-05-28Our quality of life under threat from the meanness of politicianseconomy, politics
2024-05-21Courts protect crimes by agents of the state, punish whistleblowersmedia, politics
2024-05-14To his adversaries, Albo is a pushovereconomy, media
2024-05-07The hospital at the bottom of the DV cliffpolitics
2024-04-30Is Albo’s big new idea too late?politics
2024-04-23The Anti-China War Book: Pezzullo hears the call againpolitics
2024-04-16Over Dutton now looms the spectre of a quick trip to Government Housepolitics
2024-04-09Crossbench is Labor’s real oppositionpolitics
2024-04-02Clare O’Neil dances to Dutton’s tunepolitics, topfive
2024-03-26We now need, it seems, a Voice for bigotseducation, politics, religion
2024-03-19How our tax system is making the rich richer. And the poor poorereconomy, politics, topfive
2024-03-12No slowing the ACT rape merry-go-roundpolitics
2024-03-05ASIO needs a boss who can stand above the tumultpolitics, topfive
2024-02-27Australia's First Nations still looking over the 1788 chasmindigenous-affairs, politics
2024-02-20Israel’s propaganda has ceased to convince or persuade even its friendsmedia
2024-02-13When open justice is an optional ingredientpolitics
2024-02-06Opportunity for real tax reform goes wantingeconomy, politics
2024-01-30Australia’s biggest handicap: believing our own bullshit about our militarydefence, politics
2024-01-23Tide turning on boat people bastardryimmigration, politics, topfive
2024-01-16Oppressive secrecy needs more dashes of cold water yetpolitics
2024-01-10Release the full report on Mike Pezzullo’s misdeedspolitics
2024-01-02Plodding Labor will rue its missed opportunitiespolitics
2023-12-27Holding Justice in contempt: Janet Albrechtsen and a new weapon for rape …politics
2023-12-19Biden unable to slow the Israeli slaughterpolitics
2023-12-12Shiver runs up and breaks the Labor spinepolitics
2023-11-29Was Pezzullo recording leak from a federal agency monitoring his communications?politics
2023-11-28The Attorney who chooses his battles, too rarelypolitics
2023-11-21Gutless leaders without faith, hope or charitypolitics, world
2023-11-14Judicial activism overturns years of inhumane cruelty on immigration detentionimmigration, politics
2023-11-07Israel’s moral power ebbing away in a human rights catastropheisrael-palestine, politics
2023-10-31Hamas has set a trap. It depends on Israel’s brutal responsedefence, israel-palestine, politics
2023-10-24Israel will never be safe until Palestine is free israel-palestine, politics, religion, world
2023-10-17The Voice has been silenced, but now we must listenindigenous-affairs
2023-10-10Will referendum defeat foretell doom for Albanese?indigenous-affairs, politics
2023-10-04PwC: $1 Billion in penalties would be a fair settlementpolitics
2023-10-03Did unlamented Pezzullo dream of taking the Chinese surrender in Beijing?politics
2023-09-26Let’s avoid more Covid disasters. The public already knows who to blameeconomy, health, politics
2023-09-19Australia’s secretive defence establishment: the real enemies of truth and …defence, media, politics, topfive, world
2023-09-12Dutton has made himself the Voice targetpolitics
2023-09-05Labor’s weakness for little rortspolitics
2023-08-29Climate and housing left on the 2063 agendaeconomy, education, health, politics
2023-08-22Anthony Albanese is paralysed and failing to grasp the momentpolitics
2023-08-15Sofronoff endorses the status quo on rape casespolitics, topfive
2023-08-08Shane Drumgold, despite his alleged sins, is an unlikely master villainpolitics, topfive
2023-08-01Flesh and bones on the corruption menupolitics
2023-07-25Integrity is what they do, not what they pretendpolitics
2023-07-18Don’t count on much post-Robodebt ‘reform’politics
2023-07-11Making Voice a referendum on the Labor government indigenous-affairs, politics
2023-07-04NSW ICAC findings sound warning to federal ministerspolitics
2023-06-27Voice needs a serious rattle of spearsindigenous-affairs, politics, topfive
2023-06-20Our law and order violate womenmedia, politics
2023-06-13An inquiry of self-limited curiositypolitics
2023-06-06Catholics should go where the government isn’tpolitics, religion
2023-05-30Sending the cops into PwC is the tamest possible response to fraud on the …politics
2023-05-23How PwC monetises its insider secretseconomy, politics
2023-05-16Can Labor remain a winner simply by being less worse?economy, politics
2023-05-09Ex-politicians who go over to the enemy defence, politics
2023-05-02Budget must show what we are invested ineconomy, politics
2023-04-25Dutton gives voice to Jacinta Priceindigenous-affairs, politics
2023-04-18Home Affairs' culture of getting things wrongpolitics
2023-04-11Albanese should take the Voice to the peopleindigenous-affairs, politics
2023-04-04Public servants contemplating abolition of the peoplepolitics
2023-03-28The shame of missing a national moodindigenous-affairs, politics
2023-03-21Albanese a pale shadow of Keating, even on subsdefence, politics, world
2023-03-14We don’t need subs or war with Chinadefence, economy, media, politics
2023-03-07It’s the bureaucracy that enabled the Robodebt shameeconomy, politics
2023-02-28Be alert but not very alarmed as ASIO rediscovers bad, as opposed to friendly, …politics
2023-02-21Fighting to the last Ukrainiandefence, politics, world
2023-02-15Pearls and Irritations has never been more necessarymedia
2023-02-14Not every liberal wants Dutton to win in Astonpolitics
2023-02-07Perrottet best throw of the dice is gambling reformpolitics
2023-01-31Voice vote may demand blood in the waterindigenous-affairs, politics, topfive
2023-01-24Jacinda Ardern, the ultimate accolade, and Jim Molanmedia, politics, topfive
2023-01-17George Pell leaves a diminished church, to successors hardly betterreligion, topfive
2023-01-12MPs shilling for private interestspolitics
2023-01-10How 20 ratbag Republicans could Trump 200 party loyalistspolitics
2023-01-03Decaying Liberals oblivious to the abysspolitics, topfive
2022-12-27Please don’t mention guilt or innocence while asking if there was a case to …politics
2022-12-20Labor lets its moral mandate wither awaypolitics
2022-12-13Alleged police sabotage of the Bruce Lehrmann rape prosecution demands proper …politics, topfive
2022-11-30Dutton will find sudden enthusiasm for the NACC when Labor is questionedpolitics
2022-11-29Will the Dreyfus-Dutton NACC blow up in Labor’s face?politics
2022-11-22Albanese’s China reset leaves national security establishment in the coldchina, politics
2022-11-15Why is Albo so set on clipping Teal wings?politics
2022-11-08Australia on the losing side again: "We see you as an easy lay”defence, politics, world
2022-11-02Voters need collateral on the new Labor social contracteconomy, politics
2022-11-01A plan for Australia worthy of our wartime heroeshistory, politics
2022-10-25Shergold Review: Opinions of the great and the good have no special weightpolitics
2022-10-18Is Albanese up to the job of public service reform?politics
2022-10-11No place for AFP in anti-corruption teamspolitics
2022-10-06Non-believers, the timid and party rorters have got at corruption billpolitics
2022-09-28Time to get fair dinkum, or the Voice proposal will lose momentum and supportindigenous-affairs, politics
2022-09-27No guts, no glory in deposing the Kingpolitics
2022-09-21Republican Albanese imprisoned by royal protocolpolitics, world
2022-09-14Labor must pro-actively manage potential conflicts of interestpolitics
2022-09-13Albanese won’t rescue the Governor General from his impossible positionpolitics
2022-09-07Marketing an economic plan must appeal to the heart as much as the headeconomy, politics
2022-09-06Albanese can afford to seem firm about tax cutseconomy, politics
2022-08-30Super Scott and the coup vaccinepolitics
2022-08-23The stench of Morrison’s dormant constitutional couppolitics
2022-08-16The voice implies a change of heartindigenous-affairs, politics
2022-08-09Does the US know what it is doing, and mean what it says, over Taiwan?china
2022-08-02Wardens of secrecy discredit their own systempolitics
2022-07-26It's the teals who are the most representative on integrity issuespolitics
2022-07-19Abbott chickens come home to roostpolitics
2022-07-06The unlimited, and unaccountable powers we’ve given policepolitics
2022-07-05Governments losing their waypolitics
2022-06-29Liberals have ICAC on their consciencepolitics
2022-06-28Public servants judge and jury over next-up political bossespolitics
2022-06-22Attorney-General’s has not been a recent friend of real law reformpolitics
2022-06-21Can Albanese maintain the honeymoon mood?politics
2022-06-15Sooner or later, the integrity commission will take out a Labor ministerpolitics
2022-06-08The whole idea of Home Affairs and its constituent parts needs revisitingpolitics, topfive
2022-06-07Public service chiefs need trials before executionspolitics
2022-06-01Albanese should share the map and the driving with the tealspolitics
2022-05-18Has Labor timidity hobbled its right to exercise power?politics
2022-05-10Can Morrison cash any pandemic, or economic recovery cheques?politics
2022-05-03Teals assault the thin blue linepolitics
2022-04-17Campaign needs a touch of the spiritualpolitics
2022-04-13Labor will never appease Murdoch, and should stop tryingmedia, politics
2022-04-12Labor scared of the shadow of a Murdoch paper tigermedia, politics
2022-04-05Concetta tips bucket over Morrison, a leader she despisespolitics, topfive
2022-03-30Some urgent tasks for a new governmentpolitics
2022-03-29This is now one for Albo to losepolitics
2022-03-23Governments, labor or liberal should get the boot after two or three termspolitics
2022-03-22A noose fashioned from one's own wordspolitics
2022-03-16ADF deserves better leadership in disasters, especially from politiciansdefence, politics
2022-03-15Morrison awaits his miraclepolitics
2022-03-08Defeat of Ukraine may leave Australia like a shag on a rockpolitics
2022-03-01Russia should shrink from Morrison's dressing down!!politics
2022-02-23Why won’t Australia promote its own interests, not America’spolitics
2022-02-22The Chinese dead cat in the ringpolitics, topfive
2022-02-16Albanese leaves supporters wondering: is there a line he won't cross?politics
2022-02-15Morrison left empty-handed by botched attempt to appease bigotspolitics
2022-02-09Losing control: Morrison out on his own on campaign trailpolitics
2022-02-08PM bogged and vulnerable in the face of the enemy’s gunspolitics
2022-02-02Out of touch, and out of time? Another 2019 looks impossible for Morrisonpolitics, topfive
2022-02-01Turning away: will Australians render Grace Tame's judgment on Morrison?politics, topfive
2022-01-26Slow and steady Albanese may not outdistance that wily hare Morrisonpolitics
2022-01-25Is unsure, cautious Albanese wily enough to outwit Morrison?politics
2022-01-19A sense of mission required for the (eventual) post-Covid nationhealth, politics
2022-01-18Our post-pandemic healthcare system will need massive investmenthealth, politics
2022-01-12Health officials' timidity to politicians has hampered pandemic responsepolitics
2022-01-11Co-opted under Covid: health experts set up for blame they may deservepolitics, topfive
2022-01-05A continuing pandemic puts more than economic recovery at riskpolitics
2022-01-04Slow learner: ill-advised Morrison set to repeat end-of-year pratfallspolitics, topfive
2021-12-22Minister, it's a minefield: is Dutton playing chicken in the Taiwan Strait?politics
2021-12-21War without winners: Taiwan presents a trap for both China and USpolitics
2021-12-15States can supplant outsource-happy Canberra as ideas engine roompolitics
2021-12-14Perrottet prognosticates: imaginative premiers will revitalise federal systempolitics, topfive
2021-12-08Morrison's mistakes may be the making of a better system of governancepolitics
2021-12-07It's time for Morrison to consider his legacy as electoral wilderness loomspolitics, topfive
2021-12-01For the prime minister, self-delusion now an ingrained ticpolitics
2021-11-30How Scott Morrison is trashing the Liberal brandpolitics, topfive
2021-11-24Steady on ranters, Victoria is not descending into totalitarianismpolitics
2021-11-23Derring-do Dan: Victoria's decent 'dictator' should take back the initiativepolitics
2021-11-17Labor must be more spirited for voters to know what it stands forpolitics
2021-11-16Labor could lose the election — and it just might deserve topolitics, topfive
2021-11-10Clown but not out: foreign policy failures won't wing Morrisonpolitics
2021-11-09Move on, mate: Morrison’s performance demeaned us allpolitics, topfive
2021-11-03Three years after Hayne, the robber barons are back in chargepolitics, topfive
2021-11-02A bitter bet: Crown reigns supreme, safe from effective oversightpolitics
2021-10-27Time is running out for Labor to show it deserves to win governmentpolitics, topfive
2021-10-26Are Albanese and Labor really ready to govern?politics
2021-10-20Failure to stand up to the Nationals makes Liberal leaders the real villainspolitics
2021-10-19National Party is extorting the government for money and favours on climate …climate, politics, topfive
2021-10-13Partisan political favouritism on trial in Berejiklian's ICAC casepolitics
2021-10-05In 50 years, Australia has never bought the best submarine for its needsdefence, politics
2021-09-15To protect its interests, Australia should be a better neighbour rather than a …politics
2021-09-14Coalition's game of chicken with China for political advantagedefence, politics
2021-09-08A premature victory over Covid could be ruinouspolitics
2021-09-07Vaccines: poor design, poor execution and Morrison failurepolitics
2021-09-01It is not obvious that Morrison would win a public relations battle with the …politics
2021-08-31Can Morrison sell his risky plan as a ‘contract with the Australian people’?politics
2021-08-25History, or a royal commission, will not be kind to Morrisonpolitics, topfive
2021-08-24Morrison has the smell of political death about him.politics, topfive
2021-08-18One could always rent the Nationals. A generation ago the process was called …politics
2021-08-17The National Party in the service of the mining lobby.politics
2021-08-11Morrison worries real conservatives even as he pleases businesspolitics, topfive
2021-08-10The Morrison ship of state might be better scuttledpolitics
2021-08-04Commonwealth timidity on the big issues.politics
2021-08-03Premiers, not Albanese, are throwing Morrison out the windowpolitics, topfive
2021-07-28PM’s focus on short-term fixes and politicisation of every conflictpolitics
2021-07-27Did we all over-estimate what Scott Morrison had to offer?politics, topfive
2021-07-21Let’s re-imagine Anzac Day and phase out ADF and RSL’s ownershippolitics
2021-07-20Patriotism needs more active, more suspicious citizenshippolitics
2021-07-14It’s time for Labor to capitalise on Morrison’s inadequaciespolitics, topfive
2021-07-13We have seen Morrison’s best, and it wasn’t muchpolitics, topfive
2021-07-07Rot starts from the toppolitics
2021-07-06National Party greed was once restrained by Liberalspolitics, topfive
2021-06-30After the pandemic war, no political point in refighting the battlespolitics
2021-06-29What has Australia gained from the crisis the pandemic represented?politics
2021-06-23Housing politics dominated by the interests of the already-housedpolitics
2021-06-22Old Canberra a model of cheap land and government housingpolitics
2021-06-08Government rorting is now the Australian way of doing businesspolitics, topfive
2021-06-02Public servants as courtiers rather than stewardspolitics, topfive
2021-06-01The probity standards public servants walk past are the ones they acceptpolitics, topfive
2021-05-26Advice being tailored for political, not medical, needpolitics, topfive
2021-05-24All too convenient to blame the Health bureaucratshealth, politics
2021-05-19The path to petty tyranny and public povertypolitics
2021-05-18The way, the truth and the life of Reillypolitics
2021-05-12No room for the poor at the Pentecostal tablepolitics
2021-05-11The devil in the detail of identity politicspolitics
2021-05-05Morrison’s miracle appointmentpolitics
2021-05-04Morrison’s day of reckoning may bring down his templespolitics, topfive
2021-04-28What have our governments done to tackle rates of Indigenous custody?indigenous-affairs
2021-04-27America needs to re-invent its policepolitics
2021-04-21Will secrecy trump justice for murdered Afghans?defence
2021-04-20Our MPs and Generals hope we forget the foolish Afghanistan war and the wounds …defence
2021-04-14Morrison’s minders at the heart of his doldrumspolitics
2021-04-13Ministerial staff can’t be strangled but they can be leashedpolitics, topfive
2021-04-07Morrison’s over-hyping of vaccine deliverypolitics
2021-04-06The usual suspects and mates, making a killing from vaccinationspolitics
2021-03-31Sexual assault policies fit pattern of abuse of powerpolitics
2021-03-30Women’s passion and anger isn’t enough to force lasting changepolitics
2021-03-24The AFP clearing-house: more political than usefultopfive
2021-03-23Sexual violence makes a farce of the rule of lawpolitics
2021-03-17Canberra: the nation's capital in progresspolitics
2021-03-10Is Christian Porter fit to hold public office?politics
2021-03-09Does Morrison need Porter more than the votes of 50% of the population?politics
2021-03-03The AFP is a political tool of government.politics
2021-03-02The abuse culture comes from entitled boys from almost all the most expensive …politics, topfive
2021-02-24The Morrison method - if you don’t ask, you can’t tellpolitics
2021-02-23I have never seen, over 50 years, a more slippery customer than Morrisonpolitics
2021-02-17A grubby and corrupting traffic in miserypolitics
2021-02-16Boyos banished when Barangaroo boomerangs backpolitics
2021-02-10Unaccountable leaders set the tone for all in public servicepolitics, topfive
2021-02-09The Morrison government: increasingly an ethical vacuumpolitics
2021-02-03Polls will narrow, especially as Morrison is open to attack on issues of probitypolitics
2021-02-02Labor's dissembling and ducking won’t win climate votespolitics
2021-01-27'Australians all let us forget that we are not all free'indigenous-affairs
2021-01-26Patriotic ins and outs at the Australian unity jamboreepolitics
2021-01-20Forget the insurrection as ‘a teaching opportunity’politics
2021-01-19Trump, and Trumpism, at no disadvantage in the senate trialpolitics
2021-01-13After Georgia, Biden has no excuses but it's a long road aheadpolitics
2021-01-12With a booby-trapped White House, many Americans will want the nightmare to endpolitics
2020-12-23Morrison, the man with no abiding beliefs, also lacks agenda, map or destinationpolitics
2020-12-22Labor could beat Morrison with a bit more mongrelpolitics
2020-12-16How Morrison repeatedly baulks at the vision thing and the moral thingpolitics
2020-12-15Fire and viruses did not cleanse bad governmentpolitics
2020-12-09Morrison pitching babies into hot bathwaterpolitics
2020-12-08Playing to the local gallery on crimes in Afghanistanpolitics, topfive
2020-12-02Australia no longer an apostle, or exemplar, of good governmentpolitics
2020-12-01A bridge too far for Cormann?politics
2020-11-25Investigating ADF murder is not an AFP core competencypolitics
2020-11-24SAS officers failed their men and Australiadefence
2020-11-18A mad King twitters from his fortress politics
2020-11-17Will the toughest Trumpites be willing to bear arms?politics
2020-11-11Bringing the Trumps, and Trumpism, to a fair accountingpolitics
2020-11-10More drainage for a more polluted Washington swamppolitics
2020-11-04Virus a political vaccine for the incumbent premiers?politics
2020-11-03Unaccountable national cabinet not a natural model for economic recoverypolitics
2020-10-28We, and ASIO, should fear our own agents of influencepolitics
2020-10-27Corruption undermines national security far more than spyingpolitics
2020-10-21Will our Glad have a chair when the music stops?politics, topfive
2020-10-20The Gladys and Daryl Show. Having to squirm in open hearings acts as a …politics
2020-10-13ACT Election: Tired and complacent versus hidebound and headstrongpolitics
2020-10-07We need jobs which improve the Australian quality of lifepolitics
2020-10-06See if budget creates a future, and beware of dirty tricks!politics
2020-09-30Porter - the political law officer who will not protect the public interestpolitics
2020-09-29Corporate Covid giveaways wide-open for mega-rortingpolitics
2020-09-23ADF and government stage-managing release of war crimes reportpolitics
2020-09-22Soon we must admit defeat in Afghanistan, and war crimesdefence
2020-09-16ASIO is a Mickey Mouse outfit compromising 50 years of diplomacy with Chinadefence, politics
2020-09-15Secrecy covers up abuse of power and poor performance by security servicespolitics
2020-09-09Federal and State blame game won't shift the burden of economic revivalpolitics
2020-09-08How governments made economic medicine less potent, more insipidpolitics
2020-09-01Cowardly Labor won't fight Morrison over China policypolitics
2020-08-26Who's repelling boarders at our internal borders?politics
2020-08-25War defined the scope of emergency powers, but now we may discriminatepolitics
2020-08-19Bad habits must be unlearned before they bring down governments and societypolitics
2020-08-18Morrison's government has tried ditch the rules... to no availpolitics, topfive
2020-08-12Child sex victims being bent to national security agendapolitics
2020-08-11Cyber-war: building more empires than it destroyspolitics
2020-08-05The courage deficit: Will Albanese die wondering?politics
2020-08-04Forget the trench battles. There's a war to be wonpolitics
2020-07-29Liberals throw out their Doctrines and Dogmaeconomy, politics
2020-07-28Corona-crisis calls for imagination, not panic, parsimony and punishment.politics
2020-07-22Are we but twiddling thumbs while waiting for a vaccine?politics
2020-07-21Deliberately missing the opportunitiespolitics
2020-07-15Australia's courts and senators are not of an accountability mindpolitics
2020-07-14One cannot say that the law is above our politicianspolitics
2020-07-08China won't care what we think or do about Hong Kongchina
2020-07-07Our lapdogs yap from a safe distancechina
2020-07-01Dirty Dyson demolishes his own reputationpolitics
2020-06-30Judge Dyson, moving in the lower circles of hellpolitics
2020-06-24Law can't hide hypocrisy, lying and double dealingdefence, politics
2020-06-23Justice impossible with secret trialspolitics
2020-06-10JACK WATERFORD. Punishing the ‘undeserving’ - the robo-debt fiascoeconomy, politics
2020-06-09No public interest, it seems, in watching public money burnpolitics
2020-06-03JACK WATERFORD. Morrison has all of the flexibility in the worldpolitics
2020-06-02JACK WATERFORD. The size of the COVID deficit is a political, not an economic …economy, politics
2020-05-27JACK WATERFORD. Trump: the man who made America little againpolitics
2020-05-26JACK WATERFORD. Shooting ourselves in the boot againpolitics
2020-05-20JACK WATERFORD. Dutton fights from the flank  politics
2020-05-19JACK WATERFORD. Good policy comes from loud debate, not good mannerspolitics
2020-05-13JACK WATERFORD. Digesting the cases being missedhealth, politics
2020-05-12JACK WATERFORD. Asymptomatic Covid cases will give us our next waveshealth, politics
2020-05-06JACK WATERFORD. We intended Covid inquest idea as an insult - for no good reasonpolitics
2020-05-05JACK WATERFORD. Spies and non-combatants rehearsing war dancespolitics
2020-04-29JACK WATERFORD. The snares of proclaiming victory against the viruspolitics
2020-04-28JACK WATERFORD. Still fighting with one hand tied behind our backpolitics
2020-04-22JACK WATERFORD. A matter of clout, and of egospolitics
2020-04-21JACK WATERFORD. Has Gladys got Peter, or Scott in the cross-hairs?politics
2020-04-15JACK WATERFORD. Prosecution as an obstacle racereligion
2020-04-14JACK WATERORD. A free and innocent Pell, but not a martyr to any causereligion
2020-04-11JACK WATERFORD supports Pearls and Irritationscommendations, politics
2020-04-08JACK WATERFORD. Failing to mass test condemns us to repeated epidemicshealth
2020-04-07JACK WATERFORD. The young not the old are the key to beating COVID-19politics
2020-04-01JACK WATERFORD.- The not-so-dirty secret the COVID-19 panel wants to hide Part …politics
2020-03-31The not-so-dirty secret the Covid-19 panel wants to hide Part 1politics
2020-03-25JACK WATERFORD.- China's formidable achievementhealth
2020-03-24JACK WATERFORD.-COVID-19 mapping must go beyond the sick to the wellhealth, politics
2020-03-18JACK WATERFORD.- Covid-19. The risks to us as it spreads to our region and …politics
2020-03-17JACK WATERFORD.-Covid-19 and the economic hospitalpolitics
2020-03-11JACK WATERFORD. The Life and Legacy of Len Hewittpolitics
2020-03-10JACK WATERFORD. Morrison needs new roadmap and more humilitypolitics
2020-03-04JACK WATERFORD. Covid-19 no need to panic yet.health, politics
2020-03-03JACK WATERFORD.The big risk is this flu taking root in our neighbourhood, such …health, politics
2020-02-27JACK WATERFORD. Most sex abuse occurs in the homepolitics
2020-02-26JACK WATERFORD. Sherlocks lost the plot on child sex abuse years ago.politics
2020-02-18JACK WATERFORD. Morrison closes the books on black disadvantage gapindigenous-affairs
2020-02-11JACK WATERFORD. The sports rorts will taint the Canberra air for a long time.politics
2020-02-05JACK WATERFORD. TRUMP, Congress and the Australian Parliamentpolitics
2020-02-04JACK WATERFORD. PM is never assailed by doubt,or an urge to explainpolitics
2020-01-28JACK WATERFORD. Are our leaders morally fit for purpose?politics
2020-01-21JACK WATERFORD. How rorting sporting grants became a bipartisan game.politics
2020-01-14JACK WATERFORD.-Pot shots prove poor policypolitics
2020-01-07JACK WATERFORD.- Coalition burning up its electoral credit.politics
2019-12-31JACK WATERFORD.-Is Morrison really on the bridge?politics
2019-12-24JACK WATERFORD.-Even a PM needs time to chill – and thinkpolitics
2019-12-17JACK WATERFORD.  Morrison resists the salvation temptationclimate
2019-12-10JACK WATERFORD. Chinese checkers in the great gamepolitics
2019-12-03JACK WATERFORD. Sexing up the charges for PR purposespolitics
2019-11-26Porter’s selective concern for fairness and justicepolitics
2019-11-19JACK WATERFORD. Now is not the time for keeping mum about Scottclimate
2019-11-12JACK WATERFORD. Labor could fall further yetpolitics
2019-11-05JACK WATERFORD. Do harrowing inquiries deliver bang for the bucks?politics
2019-10-29JACK WATERFORD. Soon we won’t recognise the face of Australia.politics
2019-10-22JACK WATERFORD. ACT closes the books on how cops and lawyers failed David …politics
2019-10-15JACK WATERFORD. If you break it, you own it.politics
2019-10-08JACK WATERFORD. Thin pickings from big bikkiespolitics
2019-10-01JACK WATERFORD. The judiciary is a part of government too (Canberra Times …politics
2019-09-24JACK WATERFORD. Albanese’s race against time (Canberra Times 20-9-19)politics
2019-09-17JACK WATERFORD. Politics and the rustle of folding money (Canberra Times …politics
2019-09-10JACK WATERFORD. Bullshit and hypocrisy cannot hide behind a Secret stamp …politics
2019-09-03JACK WATERFORD. Labor’s turn with the brown paper bag.  Integrity bodies should …politics
2019-08-27High Court should leave Pell alone. There’s no unresolved point of law, and no …politics, religion
2019-08-20Can Knut Morrison hold back the tides?politics
2019-08-13Broken government: it’s the engine as well as the driverspolitics
2019-08-06JACK WATERFORD. Half-hearted inquiries into casino crimepolitics
2019-07-30JACK WATERFORD. When loyalty and duty are in conflictpolitics
2019-07-23JACK WATERFORD. AFP needs a leader who is a character with character, not a …politics
2019-07-16JACK WATERFORD. Have Australians the heart for the Uluru statement? Losing the …indigenous-affairs
2019-07-09JACK WATERFORD. Not quite Custer’s last stand, yetpolitics
2019-07-01JACK WATERFORD. Pyne turning public role to private profit (Canberra Times …politics
2019-06-25JACK WATERFORD. Morrison should move before his enemies organise( Canberra Times …politics
2019-06-24JACK WATERFORD. Morrison faces the climate storm( Canberra Times 15 June 2019)politics
2019-06-21JACK WATERFORD.  The leaking tap: cherchez le Pezzullo-haters (7 June 2019)politics
2019-05-17JACK WATERFORD. Bob Hawke: A larrikin, chairman and nation builder (Canberra …politics
2019-04-16JACK WATERFORD. Are management and trustworthiness Morrison's strong points? …politics
2019-04-01JACK WATERFORD. Can Thodey, or Shorten, stop bleeding in the public service? …politics
2019-03-25JACK WATERFORD. Prime Minister's ever-diminishing credibility. (Canberra Times …politics
2019-03-04JACK WATERFORD. Murdoch becomes a paper tiger (Canberra Times 2.2.2019)media, politics
2019-02-25JACK WATERFORD. Soft cops are soft-soaping us (Canberra Times 23.2.2019)politics
2019-02-18JACK WATERFORD. The silence of public service lambs used by a panicking …politics
2018-12-11JACK WATERFORD. Why do crime-busters need ASIO-type powers?defence, politics
2018-11-19JACK WATERFORD. Frydenberg will pick up the election bill (Canberra Times …economy, politics
2018-11-13JACK WATERFORD. Let's hope independents take lead on corruption. (Canberra …politics
2018-11-06Time to pull the curtain on memorial industry (Canberra Times 3.11.2018)defence, politics
2018-10-22JACK WATERFORD. Morrison lacks whatever it takes.politics
2018-09-29JACK WATERFORD. Turnbull's ABC chickens home to roost (Canberra Times …media, politics
2018-06-13JACK WATERFORD. Trust Labor on national security? Sure can't. (Canberra …defence, politics
2017-03-02JACK WATERFORD. We need a Catholic Yom Kippur, and a serious sacrifice.religion
2015-12-31Jack Waterford. It's time: The Dismissal gave us knockout punch politics, now we …media, politics