Politics
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Our two-party system is corrupt — vote for decency instead
Next year, voters will be able to toss out party politicians and embrace candidates with a record of integrity and commitment to the future. Continue reading »
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For the prime minister, self-delusion now an ingrained tic
Scott Morrison isn’t the only chronic liar in politics. He might not even be the worst. But he’s doing further damage by refusing to admit any error. Continue reading »
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How Scott Morrison is trashing the Liberal brand
Scott Morrison’s personality and style has infected the whole government — the sclerosis and the lack of flexibility on general positions is now built-in. Continue reading »
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The prime minister’s attack on the NSW ICAC is wholly unjustified
The Coalition’s proposal for a national integrity commission shows an arrogant and contemptuous disdain for community demands such a body. Continue reading »
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Andrew Podger- Public servant Angie McKenzie as FOI act delegate has no right to anonymity from Senator Rex Patrick
Senator Rex Patrick may have gone too far in personalising his criticism of Angie McKenzie but, as the delegate making the decision regarding his request for documents under the FOI Act, she has no right to anonymity. Continue reading »
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A 10-point winning strategy for Labor
The Albanese-led Opposition is having trouble cutting through to voters despite the Morrison government’s corruption and waste — here’s a plan to turn things around. Continue reading »
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The Coalition champions small government — except when it doesn’t
The Morrison government’s claims that it opposes state intervention are undercut by its controlling actions across welfare, education and security. Continue reading »
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Sunday environmental round up.
On land and sea, humans need to do a better job protecting the environment … and our rights to enjoy healthy environments. Continue reading »
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United Australia Party is invoking freedom to win votes. So is the prime minister
‘Freedom’ has been a rallying point for those disaffected by Covid restrictions, and Clive Palmer’s UAP is trying to capitalise on it. Continue reading »
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Patronising, populist and ignorant: another Morrison election speech
The prime minister’s recent comments to an Australian-Indian audience displayed either an ignorance of history or a willingness to brush over inconvenient truths. Continue reading »
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When the truth is inconvenient: how lying allows politicians to propser
The truth is becoming increasingly unimportant in our politics and Parliament — and this bodes ill for civilised society and the survival of democracy. Continue reading »
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The small talk about Albanese and small targets is wrong
The notion that the federal Labor leader is running a small-target strategy ahead of next year’s election flies in the face of the facts. Continue reading »
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Australia diplomacy: how to lose friends and influence no one
Australia’s diplomatic missteps and lack of independence in foreign affairs and defence have brought a damaging loss of international trust. Continue reading »
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Voter ID another step on the road to US-style dysfunction
Requiring ID to vote has caused disenfranchisement in the US, and the government’s push for a similar law is aimed at suppressing the Labor vote. Continue reading »
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No island is an island anymore: the flaw in Morrison’s 2050 plan
There’s the emissions reduction modelling, and then there’s the reality. Guess which side the Australian government prefers? Continue reading »
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Jobs and a just transition can deliver climate ambition
After COP26, global social ambition will have to match that for the climate to secure a liveable world for all. Continue reading »
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A unity ticket to challenge the integrity vacuum in Canberra
Two former political heavyweights from different sides have joined forces to combat the corruption and damaging inaction of the Morrison government. Continue reading »
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Steady on ranters, Victoria is not descending into totalitarianism
The ”crowd” has not spoken. Media interests, and the Coalition, have no sure instinct for what voters think about pandemic management. Continue reading »
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Derring-do Dan: Victoria’s decent ‘dictator’ should take back the initiative
The premier could turn the tables on critics by demanding explanations about the Morrison government’s favouring of NSW and other pandemic missteps. Continue reading »
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Culture war over religious freedom normalises fascist politics
Australian conservatives’ obsession with religious freedom is just another US import, and part of a worldwide surge in fascist identity politics. Continue reading »
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Repairing our fractured democracy starts with citizens’ assemblies
The notion of government by and for the people is being increasingly eroded in Australia — the widespread use of citizens’ assemblies could be the solution. Continue reading »
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The inaugural ASPI Sydney Dialogue is a national embarrassment
The ‘summit’ was compromised by complicity between DFAT,ASPI , the presence of Narendra Modi, and Meta’s sponsorship.But our anti-China media lap it up. Continue reading »
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The Liberals have undermined democracy and decency — do we care?
Despite the Liberal Party’s embrace of corrosive neoliberalism, the party continues to win elections. Australians get the governments they deserve. Continue reading »
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Australia shredded all decency in the persecution of Bernard Collaery.
Our spying against Timor-Leste and persecution of a whistleblower and his lawyer reads like a tawdry thriller that would embarrass James Bond. Continue reading »
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Speak without fear, as long as you’re a white, male, Christian conservative
Who can and cannot express their truth is defined by the people who have always held power, and patrolled in the digital age by online shock troops. Continue reading »
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Lying in public view: Morrison takes his formula onto the campaign trail
The prime minister has an untruth for every occasion, from climate conferences to radio chats. It is symptomatic of the increasing role of lies in all politics. Continue reading »
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The unspoken lesson from the government’s climate modelling
The government’s modelling leaves some legitimate concerns unanswered, but it does suggest a more ambitious emissions reduction target for 2030 is viable. Continue reading »
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Scott Morrison’s cruel indifference to pleas for climate action
Too much is at stake to be timid in critiques of the Morrison government’s outrageous ‘Australian Way’ of addressing climate change. Continue reading »
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Labor must be more spirited for voters to know what it stands for
If a Labor campaign cannot cause any enthusiasm or aspects of a mass movement among younger voters, Labor is doomed to lose the next election. Continue reading »
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PM ignores our modelling experts and hires a controversial global consultant
The awarding of a $6 million climate modelling contract to McKinsey was no surprise given the government’s record of rorts, secrecy and corruption. Continue reading »
