Politics
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AUKUS security pact: a story of recklessness and delusion
The AUKUS security pact is another provocative alliance that can only end in blood and tears. And for no good reason other than a nostalgic addiction to imperial power. Continue reading »
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History is repeating itself: Billy Hughes on Japan and now Scott Morrison on China
In today’s Australia, our leaders are uneducated on the history of Australia’s foreign and defence policies. They’re repeating mistakes that had catastrophic consequences for Australia in the Pacific in the 20th century. Continue reading »
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Three unjustified problems with the Queensland euthanasia bill
The Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill goes too far in trampling on the rights of those who want nothing to do with it in the last stages of their own life or in their long term relationships with their patients and residents. Continue reading »
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Russian Duma elections mark a watershed moment in Russia-West relations
Russia, confident that it has seen off major US challenges to its sovereign independence, looks forward to its growing world role following significant elections on Sunday. Continue reading »
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Sunday environmental round up.
China could close all its coal-fired power stations by 2045. North Atlantic right whales facing climate change threats quicker than humans are moving to protect them. More than 200 environmental activists murdered in 2020. Continue reading »
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There are much greater threats to Australian security than the Chinese military
As a middle power, Australia should be strengthening international organisations and a global community, rather than treating our alliance with the US as the foundation of our foreign policy. Continue reading »
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Mike Scrafton: Nuclear-powered submarines are just bad defence policy
Australian governments are now certain to be bedevilled by submarines for generations. Continue reading »
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Kim Chen: Catholic leaders’ ‘irresponsible’ vaccine statements put vulnerable at risk
The Australasian Catholic Coalition for Church Reform is very concerned at the confusing vaccination leadership from the Catholic Church in Australia. Continue reading »
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The Norwegian election was fought and won on climate policy. Are there lessons for Australia?
Despite its lowest polling in 20 years, the Norwegian Labour Party will form a coalition government after a campaign largely focussed on the environment and renewable energy. Is this a sign of things to come for our federal election? Continue reading »
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Saturday’s good reading and listening for the weekend
What people in other forums are saying about public policy Continue reading »
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Think tanks have put British democracy at risk. We have the same problem.
It’s arguable that Britain’s path to this point — where it is at risk of decaying into a ‘competitive authoritarian’ regime — can be traced back to the first of the ‘conservative’ think tanks. Continue reading »
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Vale the Doherty Model: Unloved by many and misunderstood by most
It is with great relief and pleasure that we announce the passing of DM, the Doherty Model. Continue reading »
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‘Everybody did it’: wealthy doctors’ lobbies ride JobKeeper gravy train
JobKeeper for dentists? Fair enough. But more public subsidies for doctors’ lobby groups? Callum Foote reports on Australia’s medical colleges refusing to pay back millions in JobKeeper payments. Continue reading »
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Obsessing over confrontation with China leads to arid policy grounds
Shaping Australia’s China policy is complex enough without chasing impractical outcomes. Peter Hartcher and Geoffrey Barker are concerned about the threat from China but pursuing a confrontational strategy has shortcomings. Continue reading »
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John Menadue: Our democracy is decaying from within
We need a summit of community leaders to help chart democratic renewal. Continue reading »
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Changes to federal government film funding could cripple production of historical documentaries
Without government support, some iconic Australian films would never have been made. But less glamorous documentaries are often forgotten. They, perhaps even more than their feature film cousins, need investment to survive. Continue reading »
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The ‘accidental prime minister’ is making it up as he goes
When a politician rises to the top of his profession we expect that he or she has always wanted the job, and that he or she has meticulously planned every step along the way. Continue reading »
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What Scott Morrison’s really saying by aligning with Pentecostals
We have every reason to expect that Scott Morrison, as a professing Christian in a Bible-believing church, should exemplify the moral teachings of Jesus Christ, but that’s not the way the church game is played. Continue reading »
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Economists’ proposals show responsible welfare reform is possible
The next election is likely to continue the grim outlook for welfare beneficiaries regardless of whether the Coalition or Labor wins. A healthy democracy should do a lot better than this. There is no shortage of good ideas. Continue reading »
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To protect its interests, Australia should be a better neighbour rather than a US lapdog
Australia has lost considerable credit as an international citizen in recent years, in part because of meanness with aid, but also because of its retreat from multinational systems, including combined action on climate change. Continue reading »
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Go hard, go early. But the PM prefers a go slow on key issues
The Treasury advice to government at the time of the Global Financial Crisis was to “go hard, go early” with counter-measures, and that has since become an accepted model when confronted with an unexpected, major, crisis. Continue reading »
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Coalition’s game of chicken with China for political advantage
Does Australia continue to provoke and insult China not so much to hurt our biggest trading partner as to motivate our most important ally – the United States – to maintain a strong economic and military presence in the area? Continue reading »
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Ziggy Switkowski: the corporatisation of Australian universities and Crown Casino
After a stellar career at the pinnacle of several large corporate entities, Ziggy Switkowski seems to have fallen to Earth after resigning as chancellor of RMIT university. Continue reading »
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Clive Palmer, border closures and the High Court
Clive Palmer has already lost one High Court case challenging the WA border closure. He is threatening another. That too will fail. Continue reading »
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Our two ministers just passing by in Indonesia – got a mo?
Marise Payne and Peter Dutton’s Jakarta visit was flagged as an ‘exclusive’ in an AFR curtain-raiser implying a renaissance in relations between Australia and Indonesia. That expectation came to naught. Continue reading »
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Will the Afghanistan withdrawal be 9/11 revisited for Hazaras?
Reflecting on the aftermath of September 11, 2001, former ABC political correspondent Jim Middleton asks what will happen to the vulnerable Afghans who, like those caught up in the Tampa crisis 20 years ago, are in search of a better life. Continue reading »
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If the PM is serious about reducing gas prices, he needs to address price fixing
The government should explain to taxpayers just how its gas policy will make energy more affordable and how employment will be created. Continue reading »
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Doing the heavy lifting: Australians’ obsession with a metaphor
The Americans have been doing metaphorical heavy lifting since the 1930s. Before that heavy lifting was something done by people, such as wharfies or weight lifters, or machines, such as cranes. Continue reading »
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Foreign judges on Hong Kong’s top court give backing to judiciary
One of Hong Kong’s greatest assets has always been the rule of law. What better way, therefore, for anybody wishing to harm Hong Kong than to undermine its legal system. Continue reading »
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Saturday’s good reading and listening for the weekend
What people in other forums are saying about public policy Continue reading »
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