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

JOHN MENADUE. Making housing affordable. (Repost from Housing Series)

Pearls and Irritations recently posted a series of articles on the theme Making Housing Affordable. The series focuses on Australias housing affordability crisis. Most of the articles were posted just before the Federal Budget, but a few were posted afterwards, by way of a reflection on the relevant Budget reforms (or lack thereof). The date of publication of each article on Pearls and Irritations appears after the title.

TONY KEVIN. Hamburg G20 : Much was achieved

Angela Merkels firm and statesmanlike chairmanship steered the Hamburg G20 to a content-rich, global economics and climate change-dominated leaders declaration https://www.g20.org/gipfeldokumente/G20-leaders-declaration.pdf.

RICHARD TANTER. The global nuclear ban treaty: criminalising all nuclear weapons

Former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon got it right about the latest North Korean nuclear weapon outrage: neither Kim Jong-un nor Donald Trump are a safe pair of hands for nuclear weapons.A majority of the worlds governments agree with him, and have created a global nuclear weapons prohibition treaty declaring all nuclear weapons and threats of their use inhumane, illegitimate, and criminal.

JOHN MENADUE. Chilcot - The Iraq war and Murdoch's war on critics. (Repost)

On 1 July 2014, I posted a story about the role of News Corp and Rupert Murdoch in the Iraq disaster. The Chilcot Report confirms even more how News Corp publications misled readers and viciously attacked their opponents. News Corp demonstrated that it is indeed a rogue organisation. See repost below:

JOHN QUIGGIN. Governments are buying up where the market has failed. Is this the end of privatisation?

Australian governments are back in business. Every couple of months, it seems, we hear of a new venture into public ownership of business enterprises, or an expansion of existing enterprises. Most recently, Victorias Labor government has announced the purchase of a sawmill in Gippsland to stave off the threat of closure. Last year the South Australian Labor government announced it would build a gas-fired power plant and issue tenders for large-scale battery storage. After denouncing this action as socialism, Malcolm Turnbull reversed course and proposed a major expansion of the publicly-owned Snowy Hydro scheme.

MARK METHERELL. Church chooses plenary team behind closed doors while saying it cant be business as usual

Amid the turmoil besetting the Catholic Church in Australia, the announcement, after an in-house process, of a diverse team to advise the bishops on the 2020 Plenary Council has raised the hackles of reform advocates.

JOHN MENADUE. Why I am still a Catholic

Cardinal John Henry Newman once said that there is nothing as ugly as the Catholic Church yet nothing as beautiful. It is hard to see that beauty at this moment. With sexual abuse it is time for sackcloth and ashes. But I will hang on.

ANNE DUGGAN. The second Atlas of Healthcare Variation a guide to better practice

The recently-released second Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation reveals marked variations in the rates of common procedures across the country. Its a valuable source of data to guide better allocation of health care resources through more appropriate, equitable and patient-centred care.

TIM COLEBATCH. One census, three stories

In the broad picture, the 2016 census has confirmed things we already knew about ourselves. But burrow down into the detail, and youll find much that will surprise you.

PETER DAY. Hands-up if you think George is guilty!

The Australian judicial system will have its work cut-out ensuring the case against Cardinal Pell does not descend into a show trial cum media circus some feel the horse has already bolted.

TONY MAHER. Energy future debate needs to put people first

Without bipartisan support for the key planks of energy policy, we will continue to have electricity shortages, higher than necessary prices and investment decisions being made by governments based on populism. Workers shouldnt be used as a pawn in a political game by politicians. Workers should be centre stage changes to the energy system should make sure workers and their communities dont continue to bear a disproportionate share of the burden of this unholy mess.

DOUBTFUL OPTIMIST. The violent and dangerous religion in New Zealand

It is perhaps time to inquire whether the violence, both actual and ritual, the injuries and the cheating in rugby in any way help, lift or inspire the families, children and society in general in New Zealand.

MICHAEL LIFFMAN. The Real Roots of Populism

(If we are really to understand and respond to populism, we need to go deep into the human psyche. Perhaps Jung is as relevant as Marx to this inquiry, and those of us who are committed to social progress need to reassess our approach...)

STEPHEN LONG. Reserve Bank boss Philip Lowe urges workers to push for pay rises

It wasnt quite Karl Marx, but, for a central bank boss, it was heady stuff: The Reserve Bank governor, no less, exhorting workers to demand higher pay rises.

GERALDINE DOOGUE. Flawed Catholic Church a test for the true believers

The other day a visiting Israeli man bluntly asked me during a small dinner: was I religious? Well, yes, I replied, though not quite in the way I once would have answered. But Cardinal George Pell is not to blame for that.

JOHN MENADUE. By accepting funding from weapons suppliers the Australian War Memorial demeans Australia's war dead.

I asked the director of the Australian War Memorial, Brendan Nelson, why the Memorial is accepting funding from weapons manufacturers like BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. In response, Brendan Nelson, wrote back that We regard it as entirely appropriate that defence contractors support the Memorial in its mission.

ROD TIFFEN. The UK Election's Second Biggest Loser - Rupert Murdoch

A widely circulated tweet claimed that on election night in Britain, Rupert Murdoch stalked out of the Timess party when the exit polls suggested the Tories were in trouble. As we know, Teresa Mays opportunistic calling of an early election backfired on her, and the Conservatives went from a parliamentary majority to a minority government, and her political authority and latitude are now much diminished. The second biggest loser from the election though is less obvious Rupert Murdoch.

John Menadue talks to Jon Faine about Rupert Murdoch, the great rent-seeker (Repost)

The interview with Jon Faine was reported in The Guardian on 29 June 2017. News Corp is a 'disgrace' and should not get hands on Ten, former manager says. Repost: In an interview on 22 June 2017 with Jon Faine of 774 ABC Melbourne Radio, John Menadue highlights how the Murdoch media attacks people like single mothers and dole 'bludgers' for wanting handouts from government, yet the Murdoch organisation depends heavily on government handouts and political favours. Right now it is seeking government favours for Sky television in the UK and Channel 10 in Australia. This has always been...

JOHN MENADUE. Our white man's media coverage of chemical weapons attacks in Syria

In this blog on 12 May 2017 I wrote: Our media have accepted without examination the US/Intelligence view that President Assad was responsible for the awful gas attacks in Syria. He may have been responsible. But no independent evidence has been produced. I have not seen any of our media attempt to examine this issue'. Pulitzer Prize winning author, Seymour Hersh has now written that there was no evidence that the Assad regime had initiated the chemical weapons attack in April this year.

RANALD MACDONALD. Defending the ABC

The ABC is not perfect but this country desperately needs an ABC able financially and committed to fulfilling its Charter requirements for all Australians. And for it to be free of political interference.

DAVID MENERE. Dont mention the War the latest on what isnt being reported on Syria

Reporting on the Syrian conflict by Australias media is practically non-existent. Only when events impinge directly on Australia, or involve a major incident, do they gain local coverage. Overseas mainstream reporting is little better. Where does the distinction lie between disinterest and self-censorship?

PETER RODGERS. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the US: the conniving and the confused

Saudi Arabias ultimatum to Qatar says much about the Kingdoms dreams of regional hegemony, its proxy war with Iran, and its glaring double-standards over interventionism. It amounts to a demand for Qatars total surrender. Qatar faces meaningful pain from the Saudi-led economic boycott but the chances of it acceding to the ultimatum are zero. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration struggles to develop a coherent approach.

JIM COOMBS. Three Government Ministers in Contempt

For a start what the three Federal ministers did was attack the judiciary in Victoria, for which they got a right bollocking from the Chief Justice of Victoria. Some sagely assert that they breached the doctrine of the separation of powers suggested by the Constitution. It is pretty clear that, insofar as their comments prejudiced a matter still to be determined, they had gone way too far. They attacked judges who by convention do not engage in political controversy, although sometimes having to decide matters which have varying degrees of political effect that is, they were kicking someone who...

STEVE DOVERS. Australia as world leader in conservation?

With the environment a low political priority and few significant environmental initiatives in recent years, maybe Australia just isnt up to being the world leader in conservation it once was. But an analysis of our past achievements shows that we could indeed show the way internationally, and a recent report identifies the many initiatives we can implement.

ROBYN SAMPSON. Ending child immigration detention is just a matter of time.

Momentum is growing around the world to end child immigration detention. All major human rights experts now agree that immigration detention is a child rights violation. Meanwhile, more and more countries are passing laws that prohibit child immigration detention.

JIM COOMBS. Crime Down, Gaolings Up. Why ?

Sources of accurate information, such as the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) under their Director, Dr Don Weatherburn, have for some years reported that crimes of all types have been decreasing. This is due to better police technology and resources and security generally. So why do we hear that crime, especially violent crime, is something we should fear, and have government stamp out with tough on crime policies, which the courts duly do, in line with changes to the law. Why are we so misinformed, and who is to blame ? The three Ps, Police, Press and...

OISN SWEENEY & KEVIN EVANS: Coalition governments have abandoned nature. Can we turn this round?

As the Coalitions relentless internal struggles over energy ideology capture media headlines, a dramatic roll-back of protections for nature is underway. At State and Commonwealth levels Coalition governments have defunded environment programs and unpicked key legislation. Even fundamental conservation actions like the creation of protected areas have stalled as governments appear to see protections of nature as impediments to economic progress. But this is a false dichotomy.

FRANK JOTZO. Reviewing the Finkel Review and the political response

Alan Finkels electricity review offers a chance to break the political impasse over climate and energy policy. Its key recommendations, including for a clean energy target which would support a gradual transition from coal to renewables are supported by cabinet, accepted by the Labor party, and embraced by large parts of Australias energy industry. But some Coalition parliamentarians are pushing for new coal fired plants, which would further weaken the environmental ambition of the package and lessen the prospect for a bipartisan approach.

TONY KEVIN. Oliver Stones The Putin Interviews - reflections on the first half of this current SBS miniseries

Oliver Stone gives Vladimir Putin a comradely easy time, but elicits interesting insights into the man and his policy framework. The second half will be worth watching, as will the first half in replay for those who missed it.

BISHOP VINCENT LONG. Fashioning a more equitable and participatory society

On 16 June 2017 Bishop Vincent Long spoke at the Sydney launch of Race Mathews' book Of Labour and Liberty: Distributism in Victoria 1891-1966. This is a transcript of his speech, in which he suggests Whitlam would have been appalled to see how governments internationally have allowed neoliberal economics to undermine social equity today, with most of the spoils going to the privileged few, leaving the many struggling to find secure, well paid work, and younger generations confronted by excessive housing costs and stagnant wages, often with casual or part-time employment.

JOAN STAPLES. NGOs and a clash of world views

Coalition Governments have been trying to stop NGO advocacy for 20 years. Current attacks on the sector are a clash between a neoliberal old world order dominated by fossil fuels and a world view based on sustainability and equity. Unfortunately, in the process our democratic freedoms are being trampled.

JEAN-PIERRE LEHMANN. Great Britain: how low can it go?

When I am in Hong Kong, I normally stay at Causeway Bay. Evenings and weekends, I frequently take a stroll in Victoria Park where invariably I pass in front of the majestically imposing statue of Queen Victoria. This allows me to reflect upon the remarkable rise of the British Empire of which Hong Kong was more than just a symbolic hub. In many ways, the history of Hong Kong, colonised following the First Opium War, reflected the determination and brutality of British imperialism.

RICHARD WOOLCOTT. The rise of China and the reaction of the United States

It has been stated that the Chinese are the new kids on the block and are getting a beating from the United States,because of China's alleged behaviour in the South China seas.

JOHN MENADUE. Who can we trust?

In the series Fairness, Opportunity and Security last year I drew attention to the pervasive loss of trust in institutions . Essential Research revealed that the six least trusted institutions were: the news media, state parliaments, trade unions, business groups, religious organisations and political parties. The three most trusted institutions were all public: the ABC, High Court and Reserve Bank.

JEAN-PIERRE LEHMANN. Collapse of the Anglo-American Order - Implications for ASEAN and EU

The two architects of the post-World War 2 order were British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and America President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They met (for the first time) aboard the heavy cruiser USS Augusta in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland (Canada) and from there on 14 August 1941, two years after the outbreak of war, issued what came to be known as The Atlantic Charter.

KAI HE. How to save the Shangri La Dialogue

It was a sign of the Shangri-La Dialogues declining relevance when China sent a low-level delegation and India no delegation at all to this years talkfest. To ensure its futurestanding, this important meeting needs to shift its focus to achieving concrete security cooperation outcomes.

MICHAEL P. HUGHES. What went wrong with the F-35, Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter?

The F-35 was billed as a fighter jet that could do almost everything the U.S. military desired, serving the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy and even Britains Royal Air Force and Royal Navy all in one aircraft design. Its supposed to replace and improve upon several current and aging aircraft types with widely different missions. Its marketed as a cost-effective, powerful multi-role fighter airplane significantly better than anything potential adversaries could build in the next two decades. But its turned out to be none of those things.

GREGORY CLARK. Canberra's new identity problem.

With its new citizenship rules requiring applicants to show proof of attachment to Australian culture and values, Canberra has triggered a national identity debate. It is accused of showing xenophobic tendencies. But national identity could be much more complex than the critics realise. Ever wondered, for example, why we get annoyed when people in a crowded train carriage begin speaking into their cellphones? But we do not mind so much when they talk loudly among themselves?

Submission on foreign policy white paper - filling the void.

The election of Donald Trump has unsettled the global order. He will be the first US president to have no experience of governmental or military leadership. In his campaign statements he challenged the Western consensus on international issues, ranging from US alliances, national security, and nuclear weapons to trade, immigration, and climate change. In whatever ways he implements or moderates these policies, uncertainty and volatility will prevail from January 2017 onwards.

JUSUF WANANDI. Tribute to ambassador Richard Woolcott

Jusuf Wanandi pays tribute to Dick Woolcott, former Ambassador to Indonesia and Secretary of the Department of FOreign Affairs and Trade, on his 90th birthday. Throughout his long career Woolcott has been a friend to Indonesia.

MICHAEL WALKER. Three strategies unions are considering for their survival

There are three strategies unions, in danger of lsing their relevance, can consider for their survival: Teaming up with other community groups, aligning with particular professions and finding members online.

JOHN CARMODY. May day was in June

The only word to describe Theresa Mays unnecessary recent decision to call an early election in Britain is hubris and that hubris has now led to irremediable humiliation. Strong and stable could have described her political position before the election, but as a campaign slogan, delivered with numbingly motoric repetition, it became risible as Jobson Growth had been in Australia last year.

JOHN QUIGGIN. The OECD joins the backlash against unfettered globalisation

The OECD, in a recent report, has recognised that globalisation has many dimensions. Its enthusiasm for globalisation is undiminished, but it does acknowledge that the costs of globalisation have been larger, more localised and more durable than previously thought, and that this is one source of disaffection with globalisation. In a challenge to conventional wisdom it suggests that governments should seek to restore progressivity to their tax and welfare systems.

David Ben-Tovim, Some private hospitals are safer than others, but we dont know which

Our research has shown that some private hospitals are safer than others, but from the data we analysed we couldnt tell which. Governments should balance commercial interests against the publics right to know which hospital is providing safe, high-quality care.

JOHN MENADUE. We need to better understand terrorism - how we got here and how best to respond.

The terrorist attacks in Manchester and London have received a deluge of media coverage. However, terrorism is much worse in the Middle East and other countries. Terrorism is a vivid political act, but deaths from gun violence, car accidents drugs, domestic violence and climate change are far more significant. We need to admit how we got into this mess.

PETER RODGERS. Trumps sugar hit in Israel mugged by reality

Arriving in Israel on 22 May, Donald Trump told the Israeli President that hed just got back from the Middle East. Not the most geographically informed start to the visit but from then on it was all schmooze, to the obvious delight of Trumps hosts. Remarkably, Trump gave his twitter fingers a well-deserved rest and stayed on script. This might have been welcome except for the script itself. It appeared to include nothing of consequence so even Trumps critics acknowledged that as he had nothing to say he said it well. As Trump settled back into the White House,...

PETER OLSZEWSKI. Still banging away Michael Kelly as a media mogul.

Bangkok-based Father Michael Kelly Mick to his mates is a journalist who became a Jesuit priest who became a savvy publisher and who now runs a complex global religious media empire.

BERNARD KEANE. Low emissions target: a win for both Turnbull and climate denialists, a loss for everyone.

The beauty of a Low Emissions Target as a climate action policy is that, as a kind of lowest common denominator, it means everyone wins and for that matter loses.

JOHN MENADUE. The question Leigh Sales didn't ask Senator John McCain.

In her exclusive interview with Senator John McCain on 7.30 Report last week, Leigh Sales was told: The Russians tried to destroy the foundations of democracy and to change the outcome of the American election ... and they have just tried to affect the outcome of the French election.

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