Letters to the Editor
Greening the desert
December 1, 2025
This was a good summary of the issues around food security which the CCP have been working on for decades. But it misses the considerable efforts that are being undertaken in greening the vast deserts that comprise more than a quarter of China's land area. These projects are aimed at turning these deserts into productive land for crops and protein production. Efforts so far have been relatively limited scale but are gradually ramping up and will in decades to come add considerably to achieving the goal of food self-sufficiency.
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: How soybeans became a fault line in China’s food security
“Tell him he's dreaming”
December 1, 2025
Better still “Tell him nothing and take him nowhere.
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: trump-wants-australian-data-on-migrant-crim
Sinister semiotics
November 28, 2025
Further to the recent article from Marian Sawer and subsequent letter from Margaret Callinan it is worth taking a look at the front cover of this week's edition of The Spectator Australia entitled 'Drill, baby, drill.' It features a pasquinade of a distraught looking opposition leader attempting to construct her own gallows using a substandard drill with menacing caricatures of Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie hovering in the background. The sinister semiotics is reminiscent of those deplorable red top rag headlines – Gotcha (The S*n, 1982) and The Truth (The S*n, 1989), which were published by the scrofulous...
Bernard Corden from Spring Hill QLD 4000
In response to: Losing the democracy sausage vibe
Failure to address climate change
November 25, 2025
Adrian Rosenfeldt offers a philosophical perspective on the current brouhaha over ‘net zero’: the “net zero project” reflects “the deeper human philosophical desire for certainty rather than scientific necessity”…“What appears to be a neutral scientific framework rests on a false metaphysics: the belief that complex, uncertain realities can be mastered through perfect measurement and fixed ideals.” The “neutral scientific framework” offered nations a rallying point and a goal on which to agree and work towards. This was not “false metaphysics”, more like nuts-and-bolts peace treaties, trade agreements and international cooperation agreements. It was not “moral arithmetic” but painstaking, historical...
Fiona Colin from Melbourne
In response to: Net zero and the metaphysics of anxiety in Australia
Climate, numbers, targets and anxiety
November 25, 2025
Let us be clear: unless we, humankind, act urgently and radically, we will soon experience societal collapse. We will certainly experience existential anxiety as we starve, seek shelter and battle over dwindling resources. I agree that numbers and targets are unhelpful, but not in the sense that the author intends; they allow our leaders to pretend to act while kicking real action down the road, and to create false comfort in the face of the worsening crisis. They allow us to count “land not cleared” as a reduction in CO2 emissions; to include future “carbon capture” at scale in...
Richard Barnes from Melbourne
In response to: Net Zero and the metaphysics of anxiety in Australia
Excluding nature from economics is irrational
November 25, 2025
Julian Cribb reminds us of the quote from that great Canadian environmentalist, David Suzuki: “Nature, the air, the water, the soil, the biodiversity that allows us to live (are) not in the economic system.” Excluding nature from economic thought is indeed irrational. Cribb also cites William Ripple who warned in 2017 that: “We are jeopardising our future by not reining in our intense material consumption and by not perceiving continued rapid population growth as a primary driver behind many threats. This was agreed wisdom 50 years ago yet seems to have been forgotten. Consumerism and population growth are applauded...
Jenny Goldie from Cooma NSW
In response to: The wisdom of the elders, the greed of the rich
Rediscovering political parties
November 25, 2025
Jack Waterford's discussion helpfully identifies how diverse efforts across the land, of those elected to our various Parliaments with Liberal Party endorsement, are seeking a path that will not only get them back on Treasury Benches, but unite their party. Presumably the political party membership of such Parliamentarians will be confirmed by Liberals winning Government. The party's raison d'etre will have been achieved. But in the meantime, does the Liberal Party lose its character as a political party when it defines itself in terms of such a goal? Jack says: Liberals need a plan to make a difference. Is...
Bruce Wearne from BALLARAT CENTRAL
In response to: Will there be Liberals around to take power in 2034?
Rizvi's crocodile immigration-tears
November 25, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/our-politicians-continue-to-fail-us-on-immigration-policy/ There goes Abul Rizvi again. Shucks, if only we had a “long term immigration plan”. But we do have a plan. Despite the propaganda from Abul and Tony Burke especially, Australia can and does manage visa flows and net-migration numbers to suit itself. Canada and NZ have made recent and sharp immigration corrections, reaping the benefits in rental and housing affordability. Cruelly for voters, Australia deliberately went the wrong way. After 1.2 million net-migration over 2022-25, we’ve an astonishing near-50 per cent surge in house prices, plus all-time lows in rental affordability. Ouch. In annual terms,...
Stephen Saunders from O'Connor
In response to: Our politicians continue to fail us on immigration policy
Liberal campaign tactics worse than their policies
November 25, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/losing-the-democracy-sausage-vibe/ Tim Wilson's Goldstein win and narrow Liberal losses elsewhere risk that Liberal tactics will be repeated in future. Democracy is endangered if that happens. Marian Sawer's article captures the flavour of it. Mark Dreyfus's speech in Parliament is the best summary I've read. Personal submissions are gritty and distressing. But nothing matches being there as a volunteer in Kooyong (or worse, Goldstein), or being re-traumatised attending the JSCEM hearing on 12 November. Listen to the audio on the APH YouTube Channel. Voices lift emotion off the flat page of transcript. Listening to only the first speaker might be...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Losing the democracy sausage vibe
The secret business of Nauru offshore detention camps haunts us still
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/the-shadow-of-the-tampa/ The secret business of Nauru offshore detention camps haunts us still. Thank you Julie Macken for the reminder of where it all began when Tampa hove into view and political machinations began. The facts revealing that NZ bikies are now on the Australian Government payroll overseeing offshore detention caused barely a ripple with a public inured to harsh policies towards non- citizens. What is even worse is that Australia’s toxic treatment of refugees and others has spread and is being adopted and proposed by nations as diverse as UK and EU countries. Australia has led...
Pamela Curr from Brunswick
In response to: The Shadow of the Tampa
It's all about the kompromat
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/trumps-latest-epstein-gambit/ I agree with the assertion that the Epstein Files Transparency Act is a gambit. Firstly, it calls for only the unclassified files to be made public. Secondly, with an inquiry launched by the Department of Justice into some of the more well-known associates of Epstein, any documents relating to them will be held back. I think there is an elephant in this room. The issue is not who got on the Lolita Express to fly to that under-age island, as titillating as that may be, but rather who was Jeffery Epstein working for? Who amassed all...
Hal Duell from Alice Springs
In response to: Trump’s latest Epstein gambit
The Pirates of Penzance and nuclear subs
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/us-wants-seouls-subs-to-counter-china-asian-media-report/ It is hard to restrain a contemptuous laugh when continually confronted by the comic opera style of US modern Major Generals like Admiral Caudle. That one South Korean Nuclear sub could make any conceivable difference to the inability of the US to frustrate the growth of China is nonsensical. The same applies to the Australian nuclear submarines that may, if ever, get delivered in a decade or two's time. With the complete farce that is the current US and UK naval shipbuilding industries and the rapid expansion of the wholly defensive and vast Chinese fleet, the chances...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: US wants Seoul’s subs to counter China – Asian Media Report
Everything and nothing
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/two-trump-peace-plans/ It is stretching language to a point at which it becomes meaningless to suggest that these are peace plans. A more accurate description of them is Orange Donald Press Releases. Neither contains a realistic assessment of the situation in Ukraine and Gaza and neither takes into account the wishes of the Ukrainian and Palestinian peoples. They are theatrics from an Administration unable to deal with reality. It would seem that various parties to both conflicts may agree with the more benign and meaningless terms, (which incidentally comprises the vast bulk of both) but disagree violently on others....
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Two Trump peace plans
Norway is not the role model we need
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/environment-can-australia-be-trusted-with-the-2026-cop/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=61b37e7a62-Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-61b37e7a62-745219603 Norway is often promoted as a role model for clean energy and a clean environment and social harmony. This view is faulty. According to the International Energy Agency, as of 2023, Norway ranks approximately 10th in the world for per capita carbon emissions from fossil fuel exports. Norway's per capita emissions are about 7.86 tons of CO₂ per year. This positions Norway among the higher emitters, primarily due to its significant oil and gas production. Like Australia, Norway heavily subsidies its fossil fuel industry (energypolicytracker.org). Norway has made significant public financial commitments to fossil fuels, particularly in...
Cid Mateo from Brinja-Yuin Country, Eurobodalla, NSW
In response to: No COP for Australia. No tears from me. By Peter Sainsbury.
Trump getting ready for mid-term elections
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/5-reasons-trumps-economy-stinks-and-10-things-the-dems-should-do-about-it/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=4dd8fe4e19-Weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-4dd8fe4e19-671545744 The US military's killing of boats full of people off the coast of Venezuela is Trump's way of getting America ready for the mid-terms. The message is - when I give the order to break the law you follow orders. Bombing and killing civilians without a trial in international waters is illegal. US military personnel who are against breaking the law will leave and those who will agree to follow illegal orders, from the top down, will stay. For Trump to retain power, he needs to win the mid terms which under a fair election he...
Louise O'Brien from Sydney NSW
In response to: Five reasons Trump’s economy stinks and 10 things the Dems should do about It
Greenhouse gas pollution and climate change
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/coalition-politicians-cannot-accept-the-threat-of-climate-change-they-should-resign/ I’d like to thank the author of the article for the work that he does in this space. When referring to climate change, emissions, net zero and the like, may I suggest that we always add the cause: greenhouse gas (GSG) pollution. We need to emphasise these problems are caused by pollution. The key word is pollution. It is shocking that when National Party and Liberal Party politicians say they are abandoning net zero by 2050, their core voters, the farmers and small business owners cannot understand that it means their farms and their goods...
Con Karavas from Adelaide, South Australia
In response to: Coalition politicians who can't accept the threat of climate change should resig
Flurries of futile fee policy fluctuations
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/how-did-australian-universities-go-from-free-education-to-50000-arts-degrees-in-50-years/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=4dd8fe4e19-Weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-4dd8fe4e19-671585176 Having lived through all the changes described, I found this summary of the changes in fee policies over the decades very informative. I have stashed it for future reference. Thank you George Williams.
Penny Lee from Perth
In response to: How did Australian universities go from free education to $50,000 arts degrees i
Revelations and Evaluations - Working with Fraser
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/working-with-pm-fraser-parting-words-part-5-malcolm-fraser/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=61b37e7a62-Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-61b37e7a62-744912623 Following the outstanding insights of The Dismissal podcast, I wasn’t expecting another feast for thought so soon. John Menadue’s just-concluded series on working as Malcolm Fraser’s senior bureaucrat is required reading, especially to those of us who took decades of persuading about Fraser’s humane vision. Curiously, Mr Menadue’s writing, despite its plain spoken directness of style, is deeply moving. He frames, with detail & clarity, Fraser’s record as a human rights fighter of historic distinction in and out of government. As he emphasises, this was not some career re-definition or image makeover by a defenestrated ex-pm....
Daniel Dennis from New Farm, Brisbane
In response to: Working with PM Fraser - parting words - Part 5 - Malcolm Fraser
Whitlam was correct!
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/how-did-australian-universities-go-from-free-education-to-50000-arts-degrees-in-50-years/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=4dd8fe4e19-Weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-4dd8fe4e19-745269477 George Williams' timely article is a fascinating account of the impact of Neoliberalism on 'our' tertiary education system. Despite what Neoliberalists argue, education is a merit good – the nation gains more from the collective result than the overall cost. Whitlam was correct about fees. Concomitant with their performance to date, I don’t see this government doing anything meaningful. Instead of increasing by inflation, the costs of a degree and an individuals' HECS debt could be reduced by 5 per cent year on year. I am telling my grandchildren that if they want to attend...
Dr Bruce Moon from Tweed Heads West
In response to: How did we get from free...
The failure of privatisation
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/letters_to_editor/2025/11/the-political-class-cant-be-trusted-to-implement-democratic-policy-agendas/ Scratch the surface only a little and you will find that all the social issues we are now facing can be traced back to the privatisation of public services and public utilities – a process that has never delivered on the promised results. Privatisation became politically fashionable because of at every election we have the catch cry of “if you elect them they will put up taxes / no we wont resulting in insufficient revenue without selling off assets which eventually end up with a government bail-out because the assets have been bled dry and cant afford...
Bob Pearce from Adelaide
In response to: https://johnmenadue.com/letters_to_editor/2025/11/the-political-class-cant-be-tr
There’s more to net zero than metaphysical anxiety
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/net-zero-and-the-metaphysics-of-anxiety-in-australia/ We have a finite planet with finite resources. The chemistry of those resources requires some absolute, measurable rebalancing to sustain a liveable climate. To preserve a sustainable environment we must achieve absolute reduction of atmospheric carbon pollution. Without setting clear and scientifically credible targets we will never achieve those goals. The absolute goal that we must achieve hasn’t changed; the scale of that challenge increases day by day as insufficient policy action is taken. As we have seen, over the course of this century and before, the longer governments delay, the bigger the task ahead becomes. ...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills, Vic
In response to: Net Zero and the metaphysics of anxiety in Australia
Working with China
November 24, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/australian-universities-and-china/ Richard Cullen’s article points out negative effects of parts of the Australian establishment’s attitude to China. I can remember when over 30 years ago many here were keen to assist in China’s development. eg. Zhengzhou province adopted the Australian model of OHS law. Working from a Chinese government plan for OHS 1990-2020, we were successful in a proposal to the Chinese Ministry of Labour for VET training in OHS.(Unfortunately WA authorities canned it because we had used personal contact, not official channels). However we did later succeed in publishing our textbook on OHS in Chinese through a...
Geoff Taylor from Borlu (Perth)
In response to: The China shift: Australia's universities in an age of suspicion
The Fourth Estate or just propagandists?
November 21, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/democracies-good-china-bad-and-history-not-required/ Fred, I think, is a bit too charitable to these so-called authoritative voices of of the fabled Fourth Estate. The truth is they know the history but as Orwell so presciently wrote, they have deliberately consigned it to the memory-hole. These turgid propaganda mills are the outstanding practitioners of double-speak and double-think. The sad part is the journos who churn out this pablum may in some instances want to tell the truth but know that doing so will drastically curtail their career and the ability to put food on the table. Some of course revel in the...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Democracies good, China bad – and history not required
Get on with it!
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/trumps-ploy-at-the-un-is-american-imperialism-masquerading-as-a-peace-process/ Another good article by Sachs and Fares. It is, as I write, 769 days since the deadly Hamas assault, and 41 days since the second “ceasefire” (major reduction in mass murder of non-combatants). This is Donald’s announced plan. I select points 7 and 15. Re 7, UNRWA says aid is still a third of that required. The plan doesn’t envisage green and red zones. The immediate deployment of an International stabilisation force (ISF), even though the need was foreseeable months ago, hasn’t happened. So there is the plan but there needs to be, urgently, an action timetable....
Geoff Taylor from Borlu (Perth)
In response to: Trump’s ploy at the UN is American imperialism masquerading as a peace process
International condemnation... Really?
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/israeli-settler-attack-on-west-bank-mosque-draws-international-condemnation/ So there's been international condemnation of Israel's latest atrocities. Really? I didn't hear a murmur from Australia, let alone anything remotely like any sort of condemnation. But what's the point of condemnation anyway? The UN and others say words like unacceptable, strongly condemn and held accountable. But they're all a sick joke, aren't they? Israel just keeps on committing genocide knowing no one will do anything to stop them. I won't be here to see it but I do wonder how history will whitewash Australia's do-nothing stance, while continuing to trade in arms with Israel. Because...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Israeli settler attack on West Bank mosque draws international condemnation
Machiavelli on steroids
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/richos-grave-should-be-extra-deep/ A superb critique of the malignancy that was Graham Richardson that metastasised throughout the Party from the NSW Right. He was heartily detested by Whitlam as a man on the make whose only interest was in personal advancement and personal gain. He is no loss to a nation that might wish to aim for honesty and integrity in public life. Richo epitomised what can happen to political parties when taken over by apparatchiks of the Machiavellian kind.
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Richo’s grave should be extra deep
Boys from the black stuff
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/a-search-for-purpose-vision-and-identity-in-australian-universities/ Further to John H Howard's recent article I would contest that Johns Hopkins remains a model for research-intensive universities, especially after the role of Dr Paul Wheeler and its School of Medicine in the controversial black lung program back in 2013.
Bernard Corden from Spring Hill, Brisbane QLD 4000
In response to: A search for purpose, vision and identity in Australian universities
Housing: it comes down to supply and demand
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/migration-myths/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=2140ca9104-Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-2140ca9104-645461111 Sorry Ian McAuley, when it comes to housing it's basically a question of supply and demand. And most of the demand comes from population growth, of which net overseas migration (NOM) makes up three quarters (315,900 of 423,400 people in the year ending March 2025). Natural increase should be coming down because of below replacement fertility (TFR is currently 1.5 births per woman). However, because of the influx of young adult migrants, natural increase remains above 100,000 annually. So, the main way to reduce demand is to get NOM down to a point at which it is...
Jenny Goldie from Cooma NSW
In response to: Migration myths
The continued relevance of momento mori!
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/emergency-powers-and-tariffs-the-supreme-courts-test-of-the-presidents-authority/ The fundamental problem for the dying US empire is that of every dying empire. As it sickens from its own internal contradictions it increasingly turns to conjurers and sorcerers in the belief that by doing so the chosen conjurer can produce a magical solution to the malignancy within. As logic and rationality are unable to address the ideological and factual contradictions that infest the public space the increasingly desperate population turn to who they believe offers a magical solution to the coming collapse. The intellectual midget Donald Trump believes it is only he that, through his...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Emergency powers and tariffs: The US Supreme Court’s test of the President’s aut
Boomers have been a disappointing generation
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/the-last-boomer/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=dde7a9f598-Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-dde7a9f598-583172987 I like Sweeney’s article about Boomers and agree with much of it, particularly his critique of capitalism. However, I cannot agree with his whitewashing of the Boomer generation’s responsibility (or rather irresponsibility) for what has happened during our lifetimes (I was born in 1951). As a generation we do bear much of the responsibility. In many ways Boomers were handed life on a plate by our parents who had suffered the depression and WWII and were determined to create a better life for their kids, summed up by the creation of welfare states and the development of...
Peter Sainsbury from Darling Point
In response to: The last Boomer
Demented posturing
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/nuclear-testing-threatens-global-stability-according-to-leading-asia-pacific-advocacy-group/ As the reality of increasing US inability to continue to impose itself upon the rest of humanity begins to sink in to the fevered and disordered mind of the Orange Donald, he desperately seeks to find a way to remain the boss. As his other efforts in sanctions, tariffs and funding of rogue states and stealing the assets of other states all appear to be failing to halt the US decline, the threat of the US nuclear arsenal probably seems to the far right boneheads of the Neo-Con movement in the US who he seeks counsel from,...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Nuclear testing threatens global stability
Some politicians: for Richo, for poorer
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/richos-grave-should-be-extra-deep/ Jack, Jack, Jack (sigh). Richo is probably (though many of us would want more concrete proof than just a coffin with a body in it) dead. Now is hardly the time to smack us around the ears with accurate reporting, succinct analysis and realistic conclusions. No, surely it's time to go with the Albo vibe and ignore the fact that Richo was the paradigm grifter. Just because Richo made an art form of turning public office into private career upwards mobility should not beget repudiation of the idea that the societal role of a politician should...
Richard Llewellyn from Colo Vale
In response to: Richo’s grave should be extra deep
The political class can't be trusted to implement democratic policy agendas
November 20, 2025
https://ohnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/richos-grave-should-be-extra-deep/ To extend this analysis a bit further, one question is whether the Labor-Coalition political class and its right-wing offcuts are close to permanent and irrevocable disconnection from anything resembling “representative democracy”, and where that will lead. It is increasingly apparent that broad sectors of Australian society increasingly understand that the political class at federal-state levels cannot be trusted to implement basic democratic policy agendas, because their “small target” commitments guarantee that they can pursue policies and expenditure of public funds however they like. Those expenditures serve the interests of a small group of Australians, increase socio-economic...
Peter Henning from Melbourne
In response to: Richo’s grave should be extra deep
A justified and honourable conversion
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/coalition-politicians-cannot-accept-the-threat-of-climate-change-they-should-resign/ As Chair of the Australian Coal Association Ian was an intrepid and effective spokesperson of the coal industry when I knew him back in the 80s when I ran the NSW Maritime Services Board. He was always an engaging and intelligent spokesperson for that industry. His Damascene conversion to a climate activist over the last couple of decades I have followed with interest as I always saw him as a person who allowed his common sense and acute intelligence to tell him that the industry to which he had devoted a considerable part of his life was...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Coalition politicians who can't accept the threat of climate change should resig
Anymore need to be said.
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/the-last-boomer/ Interesting read but not convinced. The baby boomer parents suffered the depression and a war and yet went onto build Australia. They gave a home to their children, fed them, clothed them and provided an education and what did they get in return: rock and roll, long hair and protests. The boomers became the me generation and dropped the ball. Even in retirement they blackmailed their way to be treated better than royalty. Of all the things their parents were able to give them it lacked: “EMPATHY”.
aale hanse from riverina
In response to: The last Boomer
More people. A solution or a big problem.
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/migration-myths/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=2140ca9104-Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-2140ca9104-670405568 Migration is an issue, as my article “More people. A solution or a big problem” demonstrates. Whilst it’s true that pausing immigration here won’t alter the number of people on the planet, it would show the rest of the world that Australia recognises that every nation, including us, contributes to the climate crisis, and that regardless of where we live we all have a moral responsibility to address this existential threat. The global climate crisis is driven by overpopulation. The problem is that there are too many people on the planet. That is an undeniable fact....
Peter Hehir from Rozelle
In response to: Migration myths
Regional existential abatement for young Australia
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/china-phobia-in-australia-is-endangering-the-countrys-security/ Whilst I agree with Patience's expression of dismay against racism towards Chinese emanating from the Murdochracy and other right leaning bodies, I must stress the importance of tackling the root of the issue head on. The people's Chinese Revolution led to the breakaway of Taiwan as forced by the nationalist Kuomintang, who the US backed (now, not so much for 'democracy', unless you've seen pigs fly, but for microprocessors), and Australia continues to militarily align with the US. China has expressly stated they want Taiwan back under the Chinese umbrella and America aggressively defends their capitalist partner....
Sean Carville from Naarm
In response to: Allan Patience, China-phobia in Australia is endangering the country’s security
Albo and co also need to take note on climate
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/coalition-politicians-cannot-accept-the-threat-of-climate-change-they-should-resign/ The Coalition are, by far, the worst offender on climate inaction, but the Labor Government need to take serious note. They are not totally innocent on climate. It's time to accelerate Labor's renewable transition. Ongoing subsidies for fossil fuels are Twentieth-Century politics. The planet's physics says It's time for climate action well before 2035. The ongoing legislative review of the EPBC Act needs to get serious on climate, to include climate triggers and old growth forestry logging moratoriums. Both appear to be ruled out in the current EPBC legislative review. Moreover, It's time for...
Rex Gunton from Richmond NSW 2753
In response to: Coalition politicians who can't accept the threat of climate change should resig
Climate denialists - shills or fools
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/coalition-politicians-cannot-accept-the-threat-of-climate-change-they-should-resign/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=2140ca9104-Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-2140ca9104-668405231 Those who still peddle climate denialism are either shills or fools. Their rejection of the need for climate action is not rooted in a denial of the science, but in the conviction that their wealth can insulate them and that the most devastating costs will be borne by others less fortunate—both nations and individuals. To them I say – You are wrong. Taxes and insurance premiums will skyrocket to rebuild infrastructure shattered by storms and fires or infrastructure will degrade into ruins. Wars over dwindling resources will consume the globe creating waves of mass migration...
John Curr from MANLY, Queensland
In response to: Coalition politicians who can't accept the threat of climate change should resig
Colonialism re-affirmed
November 20, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/un-approval-of-gaza-stabilisation-force-slammed-as-denial-of-palestinian-self-determination/ What can one say about this dog's breakfast of a solution to the genocide in Gaza? The entire construction of it is colonialism revived and given a modern face. No power for the people of Palestine except at some time in the possible future, but with the mandate and composition of the body supposedly oversighting this farce indicating clearly where power will lie. If anyone believes that if HAMAS is dis-armed the Israelis won't then proceed to complete the genocide I have a really nice bridge to sell them. Israel has ignored the various ceasefires in the...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: UN approval of Gaza ‘Stabilisation Force’ slammed as ‘Denial of Palestinian self
A spotlight can be blinding. Ask any rabbit
November 17, 2025
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/forecasting-the-impact-of-sino-indian-relations-on-changing-world-order/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=0bbf855fd9-Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-0bbf855fd9-744841694 While Ronald Keith makes many good points, there’s reason to feel there’s some he’s misinterpreted. When it comes to China recognising world order, the annexation of Tibet, the invasions of India (1962) and Vietnam (1979), the expressed intention of annexing Taiwan, and its belligerence in the South China Sea, suggests China accepts only a Chinese world order. Mentioning the percentage of world population without reference to greenhouse gas emissions also warrants review. Emissions from China and India make up 40 per cent of the global output. It hardly looks as though they’re aligning themselves with COP decrees...
John Mosig from Kew, Victoria
In response to: Forecasting the impact of Sino-Indian relations on changing world order
Melick: Modelling a modern major-general
November 14, 2025
PJK rarely misses the bullseye when he launches a broadside, and this does not suggest otherwise. I have watched Melick's performance with a mixture of mirth and despair – and I was a senior member of staff when Ruxton was the RSL stooge on Council. Ruxton, for all his idiosyncrasies, was far preferable to Melick. As another of the recent coterie of ex-Army Reserve majors-general we have witnessed exhibiting all the competence of some notable British senior Army commanders of World War I vintage, it beggars the imagination as to why that career path should be considered an...
Richard Llewellyn from Colo Vale
In response to: Another RSL dope wants to draw us into a major war
Albanese fakes a policy connection with Whitlam
November 14, 2025
Anthony Albanese’s panegyric on Gough Whitlam identifies many of the Whitlam Government’s achievements. But if it is an attempt to paint an image of his own government as fitting the visionary Whitlam mould, it does the opposite, because it reminds us of the stark policy differences which amount to a rejection by the Albanese Government of all that Whitlam stood for. Where Whitlam broke the shackles of imperial control, ploughed resources into public education, the creation of universal healthcare and other major social reforms, and sought to create an independent and more egalitarian Australia, the Albanese Government seeks to...
Peter Henning from Melbourne
In response to: The Dismissal was a calculated conservative plot: Albanese
Pinocchio and the growing nose
November 13, 2025
I don't know if others have noticed that every time Mike Burgess appears in public, which is a rapidly growing and unpleasant phenomenon, his nose appears to be getting bigger. Like his puppet master Scott Morrison, his propensity for calumny, exaggeration and outright fabrication of threats that only ASIO can discover and eliminate is rampant. He can of course get away with it as the leader of an organisation that has no oversight of the truth or otherwise of what it says. He regularly fails to produce a jot of evidence for his claims that would stand any chance...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: ASIO's Mike Burgess and a lust for the limelight
A matter of cautious hope
November 13, 2025
I agree that Zohran Mamdani's victory has brought hope, not just to the Gazans but to all who have grown appalled by the apparent inability of our current crop of leaders to address the underlying issue of inequality. I suspect that this victory in New York City was aided by social media, and as a consequence I foresee a concerted effort to bring that avenue of public discourse under greater control. I feel the hope this article mentions has to be tempered by two considerations. The first is, what now? Consider the dog who, having chased the car,...
Hal Duell from Alice Springs
In response to: Mamdani’s victory bought hope to Gaza
Infantilism as a national value
November 13, 2025
Our national inability, cultured in us by Great Britain and the US, to bell the cat of our continued infantile need for mummy or daddy to tell us what to think and do, remains. If what happened to us in 1975 happened in a country we had been taught to hate or fear, we would have called if what it was – a coup!! But to acknowledge that happened in Australia would challenge our childish need for mummy or daddy to tell us what just happened. It relieves us of need to make a decision for ourselves....
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW2041
In response to: After 50 years, it’s time we called it a coup
Only Arabic?
November 13, 2025
Curiously, I see only Chinese text when the Vic bail ads come up while watching BBC or other English language programs on SBS. Not Arabic. This is presumably because my SBS individual profile indicates I view many Chinese language programs on SBS. So I suspect the author’s experience is likely a matter of individual viewer profiling by SBS, not collective racial profiling. Perhaps the author should seek confirmation or denial (and correction if appropriate)?
John Fitzgerald from Melbourne
In response to: Only Arabic: When 'multicultural' media turns to racial profiling
White empire redux
November 13, 2025
The RSL has for over a hundred years been an organisation committed to a white king and country. it continues to reflect the fantasy of the medieval British values of a brutal, but long dead, racist empire. It’s no surprise that it continues to promote the delusion of white supremacy over the “yellow peril” when the world has moved on and China is now the peaceful but immensely powerful emerging hegemon. Apparently, they still need the confected enemy to continue to scare the public s***less so they happily continue to fund a military to re-fight the Second World...
Les Macdonald from Balmain nsw2041
In response to: Another RSL dope wants to draw us into a major war
No gavels
November 13, 2025
Your article was very interesting and well-written but please do not use pictures of gavels in articles about our courts. There is not a court in Australia where any judge or magistrate uses a gavel. It is an Americanism which tends to show how much those who use it do not know about Australian courts and it misleads the public. Try a wig, the scales of justice or anything but do not make our judges and magistrates look like auctioneers.
Philip Walker from Canberra
In response to: We don’t do that in this country: Judge slams DPP