Community
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Old people’s home for many Indonesians is a useful life with people they know
Australia’s aged-care policies include keeping frail oldies apart from society. Indonesia does the opposite – seemingly benefitting all. Continue reading »
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From our readers: A more inclusive date to celebrate Australia
In letters to the editor, an alternative to January 26 as Australia Day, Labor’s election strategy, and the environmental cost of selfishness. Continue reading »
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From our readers: how to restore our damaged health systems
In letters to the editor: why we should have a Covid royal commission, supporting our inundated health systems, and the problem with SBS’s ads. Continue reading »
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From our readers: Gearing up for a climate change election
In letters to the editor: making climate change an election issue, government secrecy and protecting our children’s future. Continue reading »
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From our readers: Labor needs the right leaders
In letters to the editor: the case for Tanya Plibersek as Labor deputy leader, the dishonesty of our Parliament, and the climate crisis. Continue reading »
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From our readers: Defining the Morrison government
In letters to the editor this week: the parlous state of our Parliament, adding reason to the ‘capitalism’ conversation, and our flawed universities. Continue reading »
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From our readers: Labor isn’t offering voters even a ‘small target’
In letters to the editor this week: Labor’s policy vacuum, how Australia is (not) handling climate change, the value of independent political candidates. Continue reading »
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From our readers: Collaery trial an affront to democracy
In letters to the editor: Australia and East Timor, climate action, and do we really need our own military? Continue reading »
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From our readers: We must fight for the common good
In letters to the editor this week: the need to work for the common good, avoiding war over Taiwan, and some advice for Labor ahead of the election. Continue reading »
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From our readers: Australia’s dangerous commitment to US alliance
In letters to the editor: Australia’s unwavering commitment to the US alliance, China and Taiwan, and the value of independent MPs. Continue reading »
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From our readers: Can independent MPs save our system?
In letters to the editor this week, the case for more independent MPs, Gladys Berejiklian at ICAC, and generational conflict. Continue reading »
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From our readers: Labor’s small-target strategy will not win votes
In letters to the editor this week: Labor’s lack of passion, Australia’s alliance with the US, and affordable housing. Continue reading »
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From our readers: The moral issue of Palestine ‘settlements’
In our letters to the editor this week: NSW Labor’s support for a controversial definition of “anti-Semitism”, Scott Morrison’s sales pitch, negative gearing and action on climate change. Continue reading »
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Saturday’s good reading and listening guide
Ian McAuley’s guide to good reading and listening for the weekend has moved. Continue reading »
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From our readers: Preserving Australia’s future by electing more independents
In our first letters to the editor column: electing independents to Parliament, the decimation of Australian universities, calling time on Infrastructure Australia, and reflecting on the Catholic Church. Continue reading »
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A new home for Saturday’s good reading and listening guide
Ian McAuley’s guide to good reading and listening for the weekend has moved. Continue reading »
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A note to our generous supporters
We’ve been encouraged by the response to our callout last week for donations. Continue reading »
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Even renowned public intellectual Noam Chomsky reads Pearls and Irritations
As Pearls and Irritations continues to grow, our articles are being noticed far and wide, including by linguist Noam Chomsky in a recent lecture. Continue reading »
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Losing Paul Barratt
Just before his major surgery in April, Paul Barratt emailed his friends and colleagues, quoting Captain Lawrence Oates: “I am just going outside and it may be some time.” Continue reading »
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Children of Coal: my mother’s story
Judith White grew up in the north of England when it still ran on coal. Her new memoir has her mother Joan at its centre. Continue reading »
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Responsible shopping in Morley to mitigate climate change
An advertorial for the sustainable economy so desperately needed despite the Federal government’s oft-quoted need for a return to business as usual. Continue reading »
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In Memory of ‘Hal’ Wootten (1922-2021)
Much has already been written about the inspiring life of Hal Wootten who passed away on July 27 at the age of 98. I do not want to recount all his achievements here but only recall my brief but brilliant encounters with Hal and his enormous contribution to understand and support the Palestinian cause. Continue reading »
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Ageism very much alive in society
Of all the negative isms that fester in daily life, ageism is surely amongst the most prevalent, and unacknowledged. Sure, most people are aware that it’s unacceptable to patronise, put down and denigrate those who are deemed ‘elderly’, ‘old’ or ‘aged’, but somehow these discriminatory practices tend to escape our notice. Continue reading »
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John Mant remembered
John Mant, who died on 10 July 2021 aged 84, leaves a legacy which is still in the making, especially in the field of urban planning. Continue reading »
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Ageism and the secret to living a long life.
The Archibald is 100 and Peter Wegner has won the 2021 prize for his portrait of 100-year-old artist Guy Warren who commented, “One hundred years is a hell of a lot of experience. I’ve survived the Great Depression, a war, I’ve survived serious medical difficulties and I’ve survived COVID – touch wood. The secret to Continue reading »
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Letter regarding Afghan staff who have worked for the Australian Government in Afghanistan
Dear Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration, The undersigned are a group of Australians who have worked in the Indo Pacific in government, business and the media from the sixties until the present day. Continue reading »
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Classic 100: “The music you can’t live without” on the ABC, which we can’t live without.
Detractors of the ABC might not appreciate how important it is to them personally. Apart from the obvious news and current affairs, a constant major pleasure for us comes from ABC Classic FM. At the moment they are conducting their 2021 Classic 100 countdown. Voting is underway until Monday 7 June. The countdown itself will Continue reading »
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Be not afraid: Daniel Berrigan and his fearless nonviolence, at 100
Five years since his death and 100 since his birth, legendary priest, author, poet and activist Daniel Berrigan continues to offer wisdom and insight on living a life of creative nonviolence. Continue reading »
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Vale Edie Mayhew
Prominent Australian Dementia Advocate, Edie Mayhew, died unexpectedly but peacefully aged 69 on 23 June 2020 in Ballarat, Victoria. Continue reading »
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Vale Gary Johnston, founder and sponsor of the Submarines for Australia group
Gary Johnston sadly died after a short illness on 10 March 2021. Gary was the founder of the Submarines for Australia website and the generous sponsor of the associated research, submissions and reports published on the site. Continue reading »