Arts
136MARK 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 …
China
1238
A five-minute scroll
Trump returns to the presidency, while an IDF soldier congratulates the win by shooting at homes in Gaza. Francesca Albanese tells Canada that …
Climate
1463WAYNE SWAN. Coalition energy policy.
It’s a lost decade we couldn’t afford on climate change and energy policy – but when the consequences are felt in years and decades to come, it’s …
JACK WATERFORD supports Pearls and Irritations
There are any number of websites by which one can keep up with the news. Some also have interesting commentary. But publish.pearlsandirritations.com …
Defence
2472Richard Woolcott. A modern Australia for the 21st century.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said it is a great and exciting time for Australia. Indeed, it is a time of great opportunity for the Australian …
Economy
2881How does Australia’s health system compare.
The Treasurer, the Minister for Health and the Commission of Audit have warned us in one way or another that the Australian health service is …
Education
726Chris Bonnor . Unhappy New Year, struggling schools and parents!
Prime ministers come and go but the timing of nasty announcements doesn’t change. And so it was with the dumping of Gonski funding beyond 2017, …
Employment
39
Environment: Rich people are melting Arctic sea ice
Rich countries and rich people have incredibly high greenhouse gas emissions. Arctic sea ice is shrinking. Tasmanian government plans to make fish …
Finance
4
For-profit health insurance not adding up
An unprecedented standoff between health insurer NIB and the St Vincent’s Health Australia has captured headlines for the potential high out-of-pocket …
Health
1546Clare Condon SGS. Sanctioned Violence: What does it do to our society and relationships?
Some violent acts, depending on where and how they were perpetrated, are regarded as criminal. Others, however, are sanctioned by society, even …
History
78
Oppenheimer and the “forever" wars: Have we learnt nothing?
For the first time since the US achieved global domination economically and militarily after WWII, the military industrial complex and Biden …
Immigration
981Clare Condon SGS. Sanctioned Violence: What does it do to our society and relationships?
Some violent acts, depending on where and how they were perpetrated, are regarded as criminal. Others, however, are sanctioned by society, even …
STEVE GEORGAKIS. Gilchrist and Australia’s national sport, Cricket?
Until recently cricket is a sport that has rarely engaged other minority cultures, such as Indigenous Australians or newly arrived migrants. In fact, …
Palestine Israel
1456
Here’s the full text of Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza
The White House says its proposal would end the war in Gaza immediately if both sides accept.
AUKUS servility just one facet of poor governance
Richard Marles has the Navy out in force firing torpedoes at AUKUS critics.
Media
1895Clare Condon SGS. Sanctioned Violence: What does it do to our society and relationships?
Some violent acts, depending on where and how they were perpetrated, are regarded as criminal. Others, however, are sanctioned by society, even …
Pearlcast: a year that overturned the old certainties
As 2025 draws to a close, the temptation is to look for neat summaries and settled conclusions. But in the latest episode of our podcast Pearlcast, …
Podcast
43
The bleak picture of Australian politics: this is how we change
We are confronting a deep structural crisis in our society. We have confused the idea of democracy with the institutions of political parties and …
Policy
233
Record numbers of temporary graduates in immigration limbo
Temporary graduate visas are for overseas students who complete their study and wish to undertake work in Australia, often as a pathway to permanent …
Politics
18916MUNGO MacCALLUM. Malcolm Turnbull and John Barilaro.
When the New South Wales Nationals leader John Barilaro called for Malcolm Turnbull’s resignation last week, it was simple for Turnbull’s federal …
Racism
18
The crimson thread of racism festers in the darker interstices of Australian culture
In 1890 Henry Parkes spoke of “The crimson thread of kinship running through us all.” He believed this “crimson thread” – evocative of blood – united …
Religion
1242Rosemary Breen- Living water in Myanmar
I listened to Rosemary Breen from Inverell speak at my local church about the work she is doing in Myanmar to help poor villagers get access to …
Review
47
“Ill-begotten siblings”: Australia and the United States of America
Allan Behm has been about a bit.
The nation state is on the skids
The 21st Century is changing much about the world that humans take for granted. Among the more shocking possibilities is that it will sound the …
Topfive
2285The Palace Letters have blown apart the claim the Queen had no part in the Whitlam dismissal.
The letters show that the Queen’s responses, and at times even advice, particularly in relation to Kerr's concern for his own position and the …
Usa
619
Here’s the full text of Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza
The White House says its proposal would end the war in Gaza immediately if both sides accept.
World
1546
Here’s the full text of Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza
The White House says its proposal would end the war in Gaza immediately if both sides accept.