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.

John's recent articles

RICHARD CURTAIN. Key elements of a suppression strategy

What is a workable alternative to an elimination strategy?

GARY MOORHEAD. Cheap renewable energy and the future of manufacturing.

Whether its economic recovery post COVID, enhancing our future defence capabilities or even helping deal with climate change, manufacturing has become the new black. But before we can see any lift in manufacturing performance, a truly wicked problem must be overcome.

The Palace knew for months before November 11 that John Kerr was considering dismissing Gough Whitlam (A repost from 11.11.2015)

Based on an examination of John Kerrs treasure trove of previously unpublished papers, Professor Jenny Hocking has provided overwhelming evidence that before the dismissal John Kerr had extensive conversations and correspondence with the Queen, Prince Charles and Sir Martin Charteris, the Queens private secretary. To support his actions John Kerr clearly wanted these papers released to show that he had the Queen's backing

IAN FRASER. Banks, master criminals of the Universe (Literary Review February 2020)

Banks, too big to fail and too big to gaol. A review of Sabotage: The Business of Finance by Anastasia Nesvetailova & Ronen Palan.

NUALA KENNY. Disinfecting denial and secrecy.

Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known (Matthew 10, 26-28) Courageous proclamation of the good news of God's love for us is the heart of Jesus' mission.

High Court Judges and not just Dyson Heydon

A High Court judge colluded in the dismissal of a Prime Minister. The separation of powers was put aside. My confidence in our institutions took a battering.

BRUCE CAMERON: The Politicisation of Gallantry - will Teddy Sheean get his VC?

Public opinion (aka votes) means that a face-saving new enquiry is now to be held into potentially awarding a VC to Seaman Teddy Sheean for his extraordinary bravery during World War II.

John Menadue. Comments on Pearls and Irritations.

As many readers may have noticed, we have moved to an automated comments program called Disqus which allows you to sign up via Facebook and Twitter. It also vets obnoxious comments and ads. Otherwise our comments policy remains the same.

ANDREW JAKUBOWICZ. Is Australia a racist nation? Reflections on the last 25 years of denial - Part 1 of Racism Series

The last time Australia was labelled a racist nation by a regional power was in the wake of the election of John Howard and the emergence of Pauline Hanson in 1996 and 1997.

BEVAN RAMSDEN. Campaigning for an independent, self-reliant, and sustainable manufacturing sector

Australia has lost much of its manufacturing industry, including the ability to produce essential strategic materials, and has become far too dependent on imports which are subject to disruption from pandemics, wars and foreign political threats.

JOHN MENADUE. Michael Mullins as Guest Editor

For three weeks from Monday 15 June, Michael Mullins will be Guest Editor of Pearls and Irritations. Michael was formerly Editor of Eureka Street.

BRUCE CAMERON. Australia's First Defenders

Surely, the first defenders of Australia who tried to protect their family with spears when confronted by muskets and canon, deserve our admiration and respect.

TERRY FEWTRELL. . Catholic bishops need to give up secrecy and learn to trust

Australias Catholic bishops seem to have learned little from the sexual abuse scandal and associated cover-ups, writes Terry Fewtrell. Pushed by a Royal Commission (RC) report to implement reforms, they recently reverted to standard operating procedures of delay and secrecy in suppressing a major report on governance reform.

ROBERT GATES. The Overmilitarization of American Foreign Policy (Foreign Affairs July/August 2020)

Donald Trump's decision to go it alone in responding to the coronavirus pandemic is but the latest manifestation of the United States' waning global leadership, writes Robert M Gates.

Robert Hendrickson on Donald Trump's Church fiasco

Robert Hendrickson, Rector, Saint Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church on Donald Trump's 'lies and childish inanities.'

ANTOINETTE MITCHELL. From Trump Tower to The Violent Trumps of America

Its June 5, 1980, exactly thirty years ago, and the magnificent art deco Bonwit Teller building in Manhattan, is smashed to the ground.

MICHAEL FURTADO. Why Quentin Dempster, Malcolm Turnbull and John Warhurst are wrong about Catholic School Funding

We are at an historic moment of apocalyptic threat to the survival of the Australian Catholic Church, the Catholic Bishops say. Among the institutions facing their greatest threat are Australias Catholic Schools. Heres whats happening.

JOHN MENADUE. The dangerous and erratic ally that offers us protection! An updated repost. Part 2 of 2

Yesterday I discussed US exceptionalism and that the US is almost always at war. Today I discuss the US domestic sickness- a failing democracy,inequality, racism and violence.

HELENA COBBAN. Another American first: A self-collapsing empire!( Just World News 2.6.2020)

It is impossible to see how the United States can at any point in the next quarter century regain anything like the commanding position in the world system that it occupied from 1991 through late 2019. What we are experiencing is not just a decline but acollapseof Americas global hegemony.

RAY MOYNIHAN. Many of the worlds most influential medical leaders too cosy with pharma.

A new study of powerful medical leaders in the US finds around three-quarters have financial relationships with drug companies with some doctors accepting millions. The study could not have been done in Australia, where many doctor-drug company payments remain in the dark.

TIM BUCKLEY & PRAVEEN GUPTA. Energy is pivotal to Indias economic development and sustainability goals. Part 2 of 2.

In Part 1, Tim Buckley and Praveen Gupta discussed the influences on Indias economic growth, energy security and environmental sustainability. In Part 2 they explore the Indian governments energy strategies and possible ways forward.

JOHN MENADUE.The dangerous and erratic ally that offers us protection! An updated repost. Part 1 of 2

Apart from brief isolationist periods, the US has been almost perpetually at war. The greatest military risk we run is being led by the nose into a US war with China. The record is clear. We have allowed ourselves to be drawn into the wars of the UK and the US time and time again. We have forfeited our strategic autonomy while parroting on about our sovereignty

JOHN ASHTON. The UK with the worlds second worst response to COVID-19.

The UK response to COVID-19 has been marred by bad decisions in the face of an impending crisis, built on a decade of inadequate resources, planning and organisational preparedness to make the UK second only to the USA in terms of deaths from the virus.

MARIANA MAZZUCATO and GIULIO QUAGGIOTTO. The big failure of small government(Social Europe 26.5.2020)

It is no coincidence that countries with mission-driven governments have fared better in the Covid-19 crisis than those beholden to the cult of efficiency.

TIM BUCKLEY & PRAVEEN GUPTA. Energy is pivotal to Indias economic development and sustainability goals. Part 1 of 2.

In Part 1, Tim Buckley and Praveen Gupta explore the factors influencing Indias economic growth, energy and water security, natural resources, air pollution and environmental sustainability.

HAL PAWSON. Why COVID Commission must back social housing stimulus

The Prime Ministers COVID Commission is supposed to be advising government on how to facilitate the fastest possible recovery of lives and livelihoods after the pandemic. Yet its main focus appears to be the promotion of a fossil-fuelled medium-term industrial strategy tailored to mining interests. Advocacy for a social housing stimulus investment program would be a far more suitable way for the Commission to fulfil its proper purpose.

The Light From the Southern Cross. A report on Catholic Church Governance

This confidential 208 page Report 'promoting Co-Responsible Governance in the Catholic Church in Australia' was commissioned by the Australian Catholic Bishops and Religious Superiors to review the Catholic Church's governance and management structures. This followed the final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

CHRIS NYLAND. Perhaps Not a Good Time to Poke the Dragon?

A number of commentators have expressed surprise that Canberra would provoke China at a time when the Australian economy may be desperate to increase exports!

DENNIS RICHARDS. Trumpism redefines American exceptionalism

Americans shamelessly believe that their nation and their culture are superior and exceptional. Under Trump America's reputation around the world is depleted. There is a real danger that his may become permanent should Trump be re-elected in November 2020.

Thanks to Ramesh Thakur

Many thanks to Ramesh Thakur who has been Guest Editor of Pearls and Irritations for last three weeks. I will be rolling up my sleeves again. Thanks also to writers and donors John Menadue

JOHN MENADUE. Comments in Pearls and Irritations

We are receiving an increased volume of comments on articles. That is very encouraging. But if comments are to be posted they should not exceed 100 words and must include the full name of the writer.

ANNA YEATMAN. Our politicians, we realise, can actually govern.

Human survival and wellbeing must become the ethical basis of all government.

Ramesh Thakur as Guest Editor

For three weeks from Monday 4 May, Ramesh Thakur will be Guest Editor of Pearls and Irritations

Vale Greg Dodds

After a long illness Greg Dodds died last week in Perth. Kim Beazley will speak at his funeral today (30 April 2020)

MICHAEL POWELL Morrison seeking unimpeded power

Conservatives always seek unimpeded power and Scott Morrison is no exception. Some cynics suggest this is a right to rule mentality, but it is not. It is a duty. A right to rule is arrogance; a duty is more sinister because it is steeped in moral certainty.

BRENDAN COATES & MATT GOWGILL. COVID-19 Employment Shock.

The sight of Centrelink queues snaking around the block past shuttered shopfronts in cities, suburbs, and towns across Australia leaves no doubt that COVID-19 is having a big impact on Australian unemployment. But just how big?

TERRY SLEVIN. The Silver lining on the coronavirus cloud.

Among the extraordinary health devastation, and social and economic disruption of COVID19, comes some benefits. Will we be able to identify and capture them and will we be able to sustain them? Will public health become a higher priority for governments?

A Couple of Dummies

Terrific medical advice.

NICHOLAS WHITLAM. Malcolm Turnbull, A Bigger Picture (Hardy Grant Books, 2020)

When Malcolm Turnbull was dumped as Prime Minister he joined his namesake Captain William Bligh in having been twice removed by his subordinates. Turnbull spends much of this book telling us who betrayed him on both occasions, but he gets the reasons for their insubordination wrong.

GLENN WITHERS. Virgin Australia: Voluntary Administration and Beyond

Australia is a big country. Airlines help keep our population together. But the Covid-19 crisis has decimated traffic and exposed some basic financial problems in our aviation industry.

INGEBORG van TEESELING. When white Australians fought against the Maori for control of their land. (The Big Smoke 4.6.2018)

The ANZACS fought together first, not in 1915 but much earlier in the 1840/60s in the Maori Wars.

SOOK JONG LEE. COVID-19 infects international organisations (East Asia Forum 21.4.20)

On 14 April 2020, US President Donald Trumpannounceda halt on US funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) as his administration reviews its handling of COVID-19.

ISABELLE REINECKE & BELINDA LOWE. Strong democratic systems will see us through COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis has rapidly hit every aspect of our lives. Governments are making life or death decisions during this emergency period that will reshape the face of our nation for decades to come. Strong democratic systems that enable transparency, scrutiny and accountability are key to success on all these fronts.

LIZ GRIFFIN. Why has the Republic of Koreas campaign against coronavirus been so successful?

Korea has won plaudits globally for its response to COVID-19. Despite Korea being one of the first countries hit hard by the pandemic, its swift response is paying dividends as its population have been able to avoid large scale lockdown and high fatality rates. With a high reliance on exports, South Korea has also managed to keep its borders open, limiting the extent of economic devastation.

ARTHUR STOCKWIN. How will COVID-19 reshape the world? (EAST ASIA FORUM 15.4.20)

The Second World War led to radical changes in national governance and the international system. Something similar may occur following the global novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The quick reversal of orthodox government policy triggered by COVID-19 in many countries around the world is astounding.

CHRIS BREEN. Defend the right to protest - free the refugees.

On Friday April 10, in Melbourne, a safe car convoy protest organised by the Refugee Action Collective called for the urgent release of refugees in the Mantra hotel in Preston because of the threat of Covid-19. It was stopped by police and 26 refugee supporters were fined $1652 each - making $43,000 in fines.

ED CORY. Border Security in a Pandemic

A ship docks in Sydney, some passengers are sick. Starting in the still dark morning, the passengers commence disembarking and head home. And all hell breaks loose

JONATHAN FORD. The battle at the heart of British science over coronavirus (FT 15.4.20)

When it came to foot-and-mouth and Sars, we used to be the ones telling China how to respond, but now the boot is on the other foot. The Asians are in the lead and theyve responded well. Weve done poorly.

PERCY ALLAN. Central banks must print money for nation rebuilding (AFR 15.4.20)

An idea from 1930s Germany could now give voters hope that there is a growth plan after the virus passes.

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