Tributes
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The death of Henry Kissinger: Statement by Paul Keating
Henry Kissinger’s death draws to a close the epoch of intellectualism in foreign policy to which he was committed following his early study of and belief in a system of organised strategic balance and restraint of the kind that emerged from the Treaty of Westphalia in the 17th century. Continue reading »
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Remembrance Day through the lens of Gaza and Ukraine
This Remembrance Day, the great juggernaut of war is crushing thousands. In Gaza and the Ukraine. In that context, we may reflect today on Australia’s role in the Great War. Continue reading »
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Bill Hayden warned that becoming a US supplicant carried unacceptable risks
Bill Hayden rescued and resuscitated the Labor Party as a national force as certainly as I am standing before you today. We may see the likes of Bill Hayden again, but I doubt it. At Bill’s initiative, in 1983 he put into place a review of ANZUS, suggesting that Australia presenting as a sycophant or Continue reading »
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Vale Bill Hayden, a dedicated foreign minister
Bill Hayden’s five years as foreign minister have received some attention in the week since his death. However, there’s more to say about his contribution to an independent foreign policy that allowed its diplomats to hold their heads high. Continue reading »
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Death of Bill Hayden – A statement from Paul Keating
A modernising Treasurer, the author and founder of Medicare, the re-shaper and builder of the post-War Labor Party, Foreign Minister and finally, in high office, Governor General. Continue reading »
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The VVV — Vietnam Veterans’ Vigil, 3 August 2023
The 3 August Vietnam Veterans’ Vigil (VVV) is separate from the 18 August government-sponsored Commemorative Service on Vietnam Veterans’ Day. Continue reading »
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Straddling 65,000 years: Vale, Dr Yunupingu AM
It has been my privilege to know Yunupingu, and for our lives to have criss-crossed and intertwined all these years. I think that now – finally – I have answered my own puzzlement about his life’s choices. Continue reading »
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Bruce Haigh: time for some revolutionary Australian art
Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you got till it’s gone? – Joni Mitchell Continue reading »
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Passing of Tony Pun a great loss for all Australians
Prominent Chinese community leader, Dr Anthony “Tony” Pun died last night in Sydney, aged 77. In 1989 he came to public prominence when he lobbied then prime minister Bob Hawke to allow Chinese students to remain in Australia, in the wake of the crackdown on Chinese student protests that led to the Tiananmen Square incident. Continue reading »
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Vale Allan Gyngell
A dear friend, amazing mentor and an invaluable China Matters board director who was instrumental to ensuring independent voices on China issues were still alive in Australia. Continue reading »
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Vale Allan Gyngell
Perhaps now – more than ever – is the time when Australia needs outstanding foreign policy thinkers. It has lost one of its best with the death of Allan Gyngell after a short illness. Continue reading »
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Father Bob’s passing leaves big shoes to fill
It’s hard to imagine there would be too many residents in the COPP (City of Port Phillip) who hadn’t met Father Bob Maguire over his 52-year tenure at the South Melbourne, St Peter and Paul parish. Continue reading »
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Time to accept the truth about the legend of Anzac
The ‘Anzac Cloak’ smothering any matter of opinion that does not adorn the ‘Anzac Spirit’ has become pervasive. Too often, this appropriation of one facet of development of a uniquely ‘Australian’ character – rooted by the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia – has at least one of two perverted purposes: political or commercial. Continue reading »
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Vale Sir Les Patterson
The passing of my distinguished predecessor, Sir Leslie Colin Patterson deserves a tribute. Continue reading »
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Bruce Haigh: a farewell
Bruce Haigh, who died on April 7, was a diplomat, an adventurer, an artist and writer, a humanist, a romantic and a man with a deep love of his country, who mourned its fading ideals and values. Continue reading »
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John Kerin: Obituary from a staffer “The best policies are the best politics”
John Kerin’s contribution to the success of the Hawke-Keating government has been grievously understated and uncelebrated. Continue reading »
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On the passing of Dr Yunupingu AM (1948 – 2023)
Not long after six am on Monday the third of April news began to flow south from Yolngu heartland. The most significant Aboriginal leader of our generation had passed. Continue reading »
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In praise of women’s work: reflecting on International Women’s Day
Failure to appropriately value the work women do perpetuates their subordinate status. Continue reading »
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Vale James Charles Ingram AO FAIIA
James Charles Ingram AO (27 February 1928 – 15 February 2023) was a senior Australian diplomat with a lengthy, varied and significant career. Continue reading »
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Will Steffen: the dilemma of pioneer climate scientists
The name of Will Lee Steffen will stand tall as a pioneer earth systems and climate change scientist at our critical time when the life support systems of our planet are increasingly threatened. Continue reading »
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Celebrating the life of Bruce McFarlane
Humphrey McQueen started a tribute to Bruce McFarlane two years ago with the following paragraph. Continue reading »
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Jean Calder AC obituary
In a week full of politics and with a heavy focus on soccer and cricket, the ABC brought news from Gaza. News from this part of the world is usually tragic and while last week’s report was sad, it was also uplifting. Dr Jean Calder AC, an extraordinary Australian, died at Khan Younis in the Continue reading »
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Remembering Bruce Grant: An advocate of Australian self-reliant defence capability
Bruce Grant, who died in August at the great age of 97, made an extraordinary contribution, as a writer and thinker, to Australia’s understanding of itself as a nation, and our place in the world. His richly well-lived life – with its multiple incarnations as journalist, author, university lecturer, diplomat and ministerial adviser – was Continue reading »
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A feast of new reading outside the grip of corporate western media
John Menadue has drawn attention to how our views of the world are dominated by ‘white man’s media’. Continue reading »
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Memories of my brother – John Tulloh
Friends and fellow journalists are paying tributes to my brother, John Tulloh, who died at the age of 82 on the 20th August. I’d like to share the reasons why I believe he became the person he was; a loyal brother and friend, as well as a journalist who loved his job. Continue reading »
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Shinzo Abe, his wife and North Korea
Giving tribute to the deceased former Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Albanese described him as a ’true patriot.’ Continue reading »
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Vale: Stephen Darley
Stephen Darley passed away on 15th April, 2022 aged 66. He is of great loss to his family, friends and comrades and the organisations which he served with such commitment. Continue reading »
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Vale, Craig McGregor, 1933-2022
My friend and mentor, Australian journalist, writer and cultural critic Craig McGregor, died on January 22, 2022. 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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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 »
