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. The terrorists are over here because our troops are over there.

Political leaders like John Howard, who lead us into the war in Iraq must shoulder most of the blame for the appalling world-wide consequences, particularly terrorism. Yet, conservative political leaders today - John Howard's successors - seek every opportunity to exploit the community's fear of terrorism. Our news media cannot get enough of terrorist attacks in Western countries, while largely ignoring attacks in countries that have had much more serious terrorist violence - Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan and Nigeria. Our media never stops to ask how all of this terrorism started in the first place.

CHRISTIAN DOWNIE. Time for China and Europe to lead, as Trump dumps the Paris climatedeal

President Donald Trumpsannouncement overnightthat he will withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement comes as no surprise.

IAN BERSTEN. Tax policy and reducing financial barriers for small business in Australia.

There is much discussion about the benefits of reducing tax so that Australia can be competitive with other countries in the world. This is only of consequence to multinational companies considering where to establish their headquarters.All small companies and medium-sized companies in Australia want more sales. From larger sales they get more profits and often lower cost of unit production. The emphasis in Australia should be to increase sales and the biggest problem is the structure of the market dominance by large companies.

BASTIAN SEIDEL. Patients want health not necessarily treatment.

Achieving recognition of general practitioners as medical specialists in our own right has been an uphill battle for decades. We only achieved vocational recognition as specialists in the 1990s. For many years we were seen as#JustaGP, a term that symbolises the academic and professional discrimination our members are still subjected to today.

RICHARD WOOLCOTT. Australian security and trade policy for 2017 and beyond.

The key issue is not what President Trump says on behalf of the United States but, what the United States actually does.

JEAN-PIERRE LEHMANN. Phasing out the US (dis)order in the Asia Pacific

It is widely held that there is qualitative distinction between the benign, liberal US global order prevailing in the Asia Pacific, and a potentially threatening and malign Chinese imperialist order. This perspective is quite hallucinatory.

PETER RODGERS. Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia and the Hypocrisy Olympics

The breathless hypocrisy of Donald Trumps recent visit to Saudi Arabia should leave us all reeling. The fact that the new president could make his first overseas journey to the very country he previously castigated, rightly, as the mother lode of 9/11 is bad enough. But the sycophancy he displayed to his hosts, especially King Salman, demonstrated just what a dangerous chameleon Trump is.

CHRISTIAN DOWNIE. If the US cant make coal clean, what hope is there for Australia?

The Prime Ministers recent decision to back coal rests on the assumption that it can somehow be made clean, or more precisely, that carbon, capture and storage (CCS) technologies can be made to work for coal plants. The problem is that they cant and the US experience shows why.

LYNDSAY CONNORS. Schools Funding: unearthing the facts

The objections raised by Catholic leaders to the Turnbull Governments Gonski 2.0 funding model raise as many questions about the governance and operation of the Catholic school system as about Gonski 2.0. One of these questions is: who pays for the teachers in Catholic schools?

JOHN MENADUE. Health Reform and cooperative federalism. Part 1

In the SMH of May 29, 2017, Adam Gartrell reports that 'The private health insurtance rebate would e abolished, consumers would be charged more for extra cover and the states would be forced to find more money for public hospitals under radical funding changes being considered by top government officials. Documents obtained by Fairfax Media reveal the nation's most senior health bureaucrats are part of a secret task force developing a proposal for a Commonwealth Hospital Benefit - a new funding formula for public and private hospitals.' See below, my post from April 12 2016, about a possible 'Commonwealth...

JOHN MENADUE. Our White Mans Media again on display in London (Manchester) terrorist attack.

The following article was posted on 27 March 2017. Substitute 'Manchester' for 'London' and the story is very similar. John Menadue I have often commented that a person from Mars reading or listening to our media would conclude that Australia is an island parked off London or New York. We saw that last week in the coverage of the London terrorist attack. We continue to cling to the coat tails of the London and New York media.

EMILY FISCHER et al. Playing God: The Immigration Ministers Unrestrained Power .

The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection holds numerous discretionary powers that allow him or her to make substantial and lifelong decisions about the lives of vulnerable people. These powers lack transparency, accountability and are not amenable to review by the courts.

JEAN-PIERRE LEHMANN. As China and US get closer, Japan is left in not so splendid isolation in Asia Pacific

Tokyo needs to make peace with its neighbours, especially those that were its former victim.

JOHN MENADUE. Miners, taxation and donations. (Repost 17/10/2013)

In my blog of June 3 the Miners Lament, I pointed out that the large foreign owned mining companies in Australia may yet regret that they rejected out of hand the Resources Super Profits Tax that the Rudd Government proposed. Politically of course the miners will never admit it but I suspect that at some point the wiser heads amongst them will look again at a tax arrangement based on profit performance rather than royalty taxes that the States are now increasingly levying.

LYNDSAY CONNORS. The Tangled Education Web. Part 2 of 2: The Catholic Story

Sector-blind does not mean turning a blind eye to the shortcomings of any sector in distributing public funding received from government.

MARK GREGORY. A new broadband levy in another NBN bungle

The Turnbull government is set to introduce a new levy on telecommunications companies that offer 25 Mbps or faster internet connections to contribute towards regional and remote broadband.

JIM COOMBS. Public Goods

Before the advent of the free enterprise market economy models dominance of economic thinking, there was a distinction made between private and public goods. The idea was that some things had to be provided for a healthy, well-ordered society: such basics to our notion of civilization as universal water reticulation and sewerage (the most significant public health measure ever), electricity and gas services, public transport, education and telecommunications. These were to be provided generally and largely (as possible) equally to all, and NOT at the direction of market forces, which would discriminate in favour of the rich. For most of...

Book Launch: "Of Labour and Liberty"

Of Labour and Liberty Book Launch Event Information Join us asBishop Vincent Long, Fourth Bishop of Parramatta launchesRace Mathew's new book,Of Labour and Libertyat the Whitlam Institute, in partnership with Monash University Publishing. Of Labour and Liberty: Distributism in Victoria 1891-1966arises from the author's half a century and more of political and public policy involvement. It's a response to evidence of a precipitous decline in active citizenship, resulting from a loss of confidence in politics, politicians, parties and parliamentary democracy; the rise of 'lying for hire' lobbyism; increasing concentration of capital in the hands of...

LYNDSAY CONNORS. The Tangled Education Web Part 1 of 2

Gonski 2.0 appeared to be a gift horse but over the space of little more than two week it is looking more like a Trojan horse.

SAUL ESLAKE. Housing affordability and the 2017-18 Budget: a missed opportunity

Housing affordability was to be a key focus of the Government in this years federal budget, according to the nods and winks that traditionally precede the Treasurers budget speech. A journalist who has often been privy to the thinking of those at the highest levels of the Abbott and Turnbull Governments wrote that the budget would represent the most comprehensive intervention by a federal government into the life cycle of home ownership, involving every aspect of the housing market.

TIM LINDSEY. Conviction Politics: The Jailing of Jakartas Governor Ahok

The conviction for blasphemy last Tuesday of the outgoing governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (known as Ahok) was not a surprise. It followed a common pattern for blasphemy cases in Indonesia.

RICHARD CURTAIN. Good information on outcomes is missing in the Higher Education Reform Package.

The Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, in the new Higher Education Reform Package released on 1 May, states that Students deserve improved information from which to make an informed choice on the most relevant course of study for them.... There is much emphasis in the package on reforms to the information provided to students at the front-end of tertiary education but precious little on providing better information on graduate employment outcomes.

NICOLE GURRAN and PETER PHIBBS. Policy sentiment rather than substance in housing policy

The Federal Treasurer clearly understands the housing affordability pressures facing moderate and low income renters and Australias growing homeless. His budget speech set the scene for a package of measures to boost affordable housing supply and recalibrate demand settings. A record number of new and recycled measures recognise the spectrum of crisis housing to home ownership, but theres little in the way of substantive policy change.

JEAN PIERRE LEHMANN. Conspicuous Western & Japanese Absence from Belt & Road Initiative Summit is a Big Mistake

The conspicuous absence of the heads of state from the major Western economic powers and Japan at the 14/15 May Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) in Beijing is a big mistake and a missed opportunity for enhancing dynamic and cooperative globalisation.

ROBERT MANNE. An urgently needed compromise

In recent weeks I have been involved in an extended argument on the Monthlys website over the fate of the refugees on Nauru and Manus Island whose lives all participants in the discussion agree are being slowly destroyed as a result of Australian policy over the past four years.

JOHN MENADUE. Is the seat of Wentworth to become an hereditary fiefdom?

In Malcolm Turnbulls electorate, we have had a media blitz on behalf of his son-in-law, James Brown. Could it mean that James Brown is readying himself to take the seat of Wentworth, perhaps before or after the next election?

JAMIE LINGHAM. 457 visa changes 95% political

On April 18, the Australian government made an Australia First announcement that abolished the current 457 visa program and replaced it with the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.And for political effect, the move eliminated any opportunity Pauline Hanson or Tony Abbott might have to slam the government by highlighting the abuses of the 457 program by unscrupulous immigration agents.What is clear now that the dust has settled is that this change was 95% political and 5% practical, torching local political challenges and appearing to offer an Australian response to the global anti-immigration sentiment across the western world.

MARK METHERELL. The need for Catholic Church Reform

It is at once disturbing and affirming to realise the depth of dissatisfaction and mood for change among Catholics in Australia. Dissatisfaction may be too soft a word for the disillusion many Catholics express about the clericalism and authoritarianism that dogs the church.

NICK DEANE. Keep Australia out of US wars

In the event of war between the USA and any other nation in our region, Australia could not avoid involvement, because of its alliance with the USA. That is the reality we need to address. To avoid the possibility of war, an independent foreign policy for Australia is urgently required. Mr Trumps presidency only adds to the urgency.

Making Housing Affordable Series. HAL PAWSON. Can Institutional Funding be Channelled into Rental Housing?

Channelling institutional finance into affordable rental housing has long been a holy grail urban policy aspiration. Recent developments suggest that this may be edging towards reality.

Making Housing Affordable Series. ROB KOCZKAR. How institutional investment could help housing affordability

Competition between first home buyers and investors is dominating the discussion about housing affordability, but its whats happening a few rungs down the property ladder that is perhaps the greatest cause for concern the challenges for people trying to rent in major cities and low-income earners waiting for social housing. Paradoxically, greater institutional investment could be key to easing their housing stress.

Making Housing Affordable Series. JACK DE GROOT. Homelessness the potential to implement a widespread housing first policy

Having a roof over ones head, a place to call home, is a fundamental right for every individual. Until all levels of government collaborate with institutional investors and the not-for-profit sector to provide more affordable housing and accessible services, housing stress and homelessness will remain a blight on Australian society.

Making Housing Affordable Series. MICHAEL PERUSCO. Revitalising social and affordable housing

The discussion and commentary about housing affordability in Australia has reached a crescendo in recent months. But an important piece of the housing puzzle cannot be overlooked in the debate: the role of social housing. It is time for governments across the country to recognise that a well-functioning social housing sector is critical to balancing the housing markets equilibrium. It cannot be pushed aside for more populist political topics.

Making Housing Affordable Series. SAUL ESLAKE. The causes and effects of the housing affordability crisis, and what can and should be done about it.

Treasurer Scott Morrison is right in saying that there are no single or easy solutions even though he (and others on his side of politics) tend to ignore this advice in emphasising supply-side solutions and decrying any suggestion of policy measures which are intended to dampen demand, especially from investors.

Making Housing Affordable Series. PETER PHIBBS. The politics of property and the role of urban planning

The narrative provided by the property industry and by some politicians is that the planning system creates large bottlenecks to more supply. Yet the reality is that we have been generating record levels of supply in Australia in recent years. While supply is undoubtedly important, it is not the key moderator of price that it is in some other markets.

Making Housing Affordable Series. NED CUTCHER. Running the private rental market at a loss, for profit

Understanding how unaffordable housing affects renters is increasingly important, since more Australians can expect to rent for longer. How do negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount affect affordability, amenity and security for renters? Encouraging mums and dads to invest in the private rental market is not all its cracked up to be, and tenants advocates have been calling for reform.

Making Housing Affordable Series. DAMIEN WEBB. An institutional scale solution for the social and affordable housing challenge from a super funds perspective

Many well-intentioned solutions have been proposed to address Australias housing affordability problem, yet fail to gain traction because the challenges faced by key stakeholder groups arent being addressed simultaneously. We believe success on a material scale will be more likely when this occurs. We propose a model that potentially meets the needs of government, capital markets, and community housing providers in a simultaneous fashion, via the intermediation of a nationally owned, centralised property clearing house.

Making Housing Affordable Series. JOHN DALEY, BRENDAN COATES AND TRENT WILTSHIRE (1). Why should we care about housing affordability?

Housing affordability includes a grab-bag of concerns: less money to spend on goods and services other than housing; falling home ownership rates; worsening access to jobs; increasing wealth inequality between and among generations; and increasing risks of a housing-led economic downturn. Responding to these concerns requires careful analysis of the underlying drivers and of the potential impact of policy changes.

Making Housing Affordable Series. JOHN DALEY, BRENDAN COATES and TRENT WILTSHIRE (2). Sorting reality from the appearance of action on housing affordability.

Governments have raised expectations among voters anxious to see action on housing. There is no shortage of proposed policy solutions. But how do we sort the good from the bad? Many policy ideas sound good, but wont do much in practice. Some will make housing affordability worse, drag on economic growth, or subtract from budget balances that are already in trouble. There are reforms that would make a big difference, but none is politically easy. If governments want to be seen as serious on housing affordability, theyre going to have to make some tough choices.

Making Housing Affordable Series. TIM WILLIAMS. Housing affordability is not just a supply problem

The housing affordability debate is being wrongly understood as just a supply problem. The real cause of house price inflation is excess liquidity and debt, combined with overly generous tax incentives.

JOHN MENADUE. A rigged gas market and market failure.

Yesterday, the government announced that it would impose an Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism on gas exports from July this year. This will give the government authority to limit companies' gas exports if they are emptying Australian gas reserves to meet overseas export contracts. Two years ago - I drew attention to the market failure in gas policy. I have reposted below that article of April 28, 2015. John Menadue

SAMANTHA PAGE. In defence of public investment in childcare

When childcare issues have hit the news lately, its either been about the Federal Governments new $1.6 billion package to help make childcare more affordable, or about massive fraud cases where rogue Family Day Care operators have pocketed millions of tax payer dollars.

GREGORY CLARK. Pingpong diplomacy and Whitlam's first visit to China.

April 2017 is the 46 anniversary of the pingpong diplomacy - an event that changed the future of China. It also changed the direction of Australian politics, leading to the ALP Federal election victory in November 1972. But as I explain in the link to this posting, the change in Canberra could well have not occurred but for a chance telephone call from myself to a small manufacturing firm in Nagoya.

VIVIENNE MILLIGAN and HAL PAWSON. Ready for growth? Has Australia's affordable housing industry got what it takes?

Australia lacks any enumerated and resourced plan for expanding affordable housing. Recent growth opportunities in this industry have largely been small-scale, fragmented and ad hoc. As a result, providers have been highly constrained in their ability to predict and plan for growth. This has disrupted capacity-building and undermined capacity-retention.

ROD TIFFEN. The Australians Wind Farm Reporting

The National Wind Farm Commissioner, Andrew Dyer, delivered his first annual report on March 31, covering the first 14 months of the agencys operation since being set up by the Abbott government, with the support of conservative cross-bench senators. The agency has an annual budget of around $650, 000 a year, while Dyer is paid $205,000 for his part-time role. The Sydney Morning Herald, Guardian and Crikey covered the release with short news stories. The Australian, and I think the other Murdoch dailies, ignored it.

KERRY BREEN and M.TAFFY JONES. Why mandatory reporting of the ill-health of doctors is not in anyones best interests

Sick doctors will delay seeking help because of fear of stigmatisation and a threat to their professional status and livelihood through premature and unjustified reporting by treating doctors who themselves are made to feel insecure by the legislation. The distress and harm resulting from an inappropriate mandatory notification cannot be underestimated.

MARK COLVIN. Four Weeks One Summer by Nicholas Whitlam

In the summer of 1936, over just four weeks, it all went wrong for democracy and for Spain, even for the British royals. Politicians failed, and Hitler was emboldened to plan a new European war, and more. When some army generals sought to overthrow Spains elected government Francisco Franco quickly emerged as their leader; Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy supported him with men and matriel; pusillanimous politicians in Britain and the United States, even in France, turned a blind eye and the Spanish Civil War was on. Edward VIII took a scandalous holiday cruise with Mrs Simpson,...

JOHN MENADUE. It is becoming much easier to go to war.

We used to think that the gravest decision any government could make was to take its country to war. Not any more. Going to war for us has now become almost common place. We commit to war after war Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan but we are unwilling to contemplate the disaster which each of those wars has brought not only to Australians but to millions of other people. But rather than face up to our mistakes we hide behind the valour of service personnel who have made sacrifices.

The Anzac Myth

Conservatives and militarists want us to cling to a disastrous imperial war. They encourage us to focus on how our soldiers fought in order to avoid the central issue of why we fought.

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