John Menadue

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John's recent articles

Dutton has little faith in Medicare. Like Trump, he prefers culture wars

Dutton has little faith in Medicare. Like Trump, he prefers culture wars

Peter Dutton does not really believe in Medicare. He is more interested in Trump-type culture wars than the health of Australians.

Catriona Jackson appointed editor of Pearls and Irritations

Catriona Jackson appointed editor of Pearls and Irritations

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Catriona Jackson as the editor of Pearls and Irritations from 17 March.

The AUKUS chickens are coming home to roost, already

The AUKUS chickens are coming home to roost, already

In its response to AUKUS with its objective of militarily confronting China in the South China Sea, we should not be surprised by Chinese naval vessels sailing around Australia to pick up some intelligence or at least showing us their growing naval power.

The weaponising of ‘antisemitism’ is to hide the genocide

The weaponising of ‘antisemitism’ is to hide the genocide

As expressed in the UN General Assembly, the vast majority of the world’s governments and peoples agree that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and now the West Bank. The main supporters of Israel — the US, Canada, Australia and NZ, the settler colonial states — have all expropriated their indigenous populations and find little disagreement with Israel doing the same.

Editorial changes at Pearls and Irritations

Editorial changes at Pearls and Irritations

At the end of this month we farewell Aran Martin, after over two years as our editor.

Summing up

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 are failing us with increasingly conservative policies that favour big business.

How Murdoch got a foothold in Foxtel (An updated post from 1 February 2014)

How Murdoch got a foothold in Foxtel (An updated post from 1 February 2014)

Rupert Murdoch relies on political threats for commercial benefit

Summing up

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 are failing us with increasingly conservative policies that favour big business.

In defence of free speech about genocide in Gaza

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 on Israel's genocidal acts in Gaza allegedly violated the country’s Racial Discrimination Act.

Will the Cocos Islands become like Diego Garcia, hijacked by the US?

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.

The US sees China through the dark mirror of its own unbridled aggression

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.)

White Man’s Media: The Washington consensus and legacy media frames and conditions our thinking and actions

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.

John Menadue on Rupert Murdoch, the Last Mogul

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.

Pearls and Irritations - Editor Position

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.

The United States empire is almost always at war

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.

Vale Susie Menadue

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.

King Charles of Australia to revisit the scene of his earlier crime

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.

The context for October 7 is wilfully and deliberately ignored

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!

Will the QUAD go the same way as SEATO – another lame duck?

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 CIA and other US agencies. Diplomacy has been put in the freezer.

What our donors have told us

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

Nelson Mandela warned us that 'the US has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world'

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.

A minority Labor Government is likely after the next election

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.

We value our readers and seek your point of view

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

Tackling the issues swept aside by mainstream media

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

America is the most violent, aggressive country in the world

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.

A fiercely independent, independent media

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”.

The Americanisation of our public policy, media and national interest

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, power and diplomatic capacity in favour of over reliance on our alliance with America and its interests.

Can you help Pearls and Irritations raise the bar in Australia’s media landscape?

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?

New Governance arrangements for Pearls and Irritations

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.

News Corp - How a rogue organisation operates. A repost from 27 October 2017-slightly updated.

News Corp - How a rogue organisation operates. A repost from 27 October 2017-slightly updated.

Rupert Murdoch demands loyalty from his followers, not competence.

Twenty thousand articles in Pearls and Irritations and counting

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.

A win is a win, but clear lessons on Gaza from the UK election

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.

Summing up

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.

Private hospitals seeking more government subsidies

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.

Will the Cocos Islands become like Diego Garcia, highjacked by the US?

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.

Gaza genocide protests by students shames the elites in the Western world

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.

Supporting independent public interest media

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.

The lobbying scourge

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.

We need a Peoples Tribunal on Palestineand Gaza

We need a Peoples Tribunal on Palestineand Gaza

As the UN Security Council finally overcomes the US calculated protection of Israels 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 as the International Criminal Court and the media to hold those responsible to account. We need a Peoples Tribunal that is capable of investigating possible war crimes and genocide in Gaza.

A terrorist state and a declining US empire wage genocide

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.

The CPC is brainwashing its members to not attack other countries says AI

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 SeeChinas Communist Party orders cells to make Xi Jinping Thought a priority, cadres must study presidents speeches, South China Morning Post.

Podcast: A rapacious America and the loss of Australian sovereignty

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).

Podcast: The Tragedy of Gaza

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.

John Menadue: filling the policy vacuum ABC Listen

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 hes 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 in. However, he argues, the need for further change and policy reform remains.

The Search for the Palace Letters - a remarkable documentary

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 below.

John Menadue on Rupert Murdoch, the Last Mogul

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.

China and Australia once were allies

China and Australia once were allies

With QUAD and maybe JAUKUS, Japan is anxious to recruit us and others as spear carriers against China. The anti-China cause is long standing in Japan.

The future will be decided by economic influence, not military dominance

The future will be decided by economic influence, not military dominance

America is falling into a trap. It thinks the future will be decided by military dominance, despite losing one war after another. China, on the other hand, recognises that the future will be decided by economics. (A repost from October 2023).

On China/Australia relations the language has improved but there has not been much change of substance

On China/Australia relations the language has improved but there has not been much change of substance

A major problem for a settler society like Australia is to reconcile our history and our geography. In the last 10 years we've lost ground in reconciling the two.

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