January 18, 2022

Letting a good man go: for shame, 'Slobodan' Morrison

A touch of the Balkans skulduggery has marked out our PM’s less than deft handling of the Djokovic deportation.

November 29, 2021

Shutting down ASPI: Hugh White, Peter Jennings and China

In responding to Hugh White’s analysis of the cost of a war over Taiwan, ASPI’s Peter Jennings makes the case for just how irrelevant his organisation is.

March 17, 2025

A massacre in Sharifa

The residents of the Syrian village of Sharifa lay in puddles and rivulets of blood. Some died with arms outstretched; others seemed to clutch protectively at their chests. Most had been executed with shots to the head and two women had their faces blown apart.

March 31, 2024

It will take hope, inspiration and action to save the earth

I see humanity as at the mouth of a very long, very dark tunnel. And right at the end of that tunnel, theres a little star thats hope. And its no good sitting at the mouth of the tunnel folding our arms and hoping that the star will come.

March 25, 2024

America's latest move to block China's economic rise

US lawmakers have introduced a bill that would bar US mutual funds from investing in indexes that track Chinese stocks (Bloomberg). According to Bloomberg The legislation targets mutual funds that invest in indexes tracking primarily Chinese stocks, rather than those investing in indexes that only include some Chinese companies, according to Shermans office. However, the lawmakers left it to the Securities and Exchange Commission to write rules thatd ultimately determine which products are impacted.

December 29, 2023

A nation for a continent no thanks

Events of the last three months or so will shape the way large cohorts of the Australian population assess the character, integrity and fitness for office of federal politicians and parties on issues of fundamental importance to them, much as happened during the years of the Vietnam War in the 1960s. But whereas the Vietnam War convinced a cohort to vote Labor for a generation, the current combination of events is likely to convince some cohorts that neither major party is worthy of trust or respect to govern.

December 4, 2023

De-Mystifying Hamas: who are the Israeli terrorists?

Mainstream media outlets repeat, Hamas, a terrorist organisation designated by the US and other western governments. Tagged to that description is a daily reminder of the brutality of Hamas attack on October 7 and the taking of over 200 hostages. Intimidated journalists and ill-informed politicians then promote the Israeli message that Hamas is a monster without precedent and must be destroyed.

March 28, 2023

Has the USA captured Australias fourth estate?

The uniformly negative reaction of the national press gallery to former PM Paul Keatings views on Australias security raises questions not just of its intellectual adequacy but of whether the media has been captured by and is knowingly serving the United States at Australias expense.

February 26, 2023

The death of Australian sovereignty?

The Force Posture Agreement (FPA) clearly removes Australian sovereignty over what weapons may be launched or fired from this country by US Armed Forces. Even though the fiction is being peddled that this will occur at “Australian facilities”, the stark reality is that they are US bases under US control.

January 28, 2023

Environment: Its a wonderful world

as Louis Armstrong famously croaked. Well, perhaps: The temperatures going up. The rich are getting richer. Wetlands are disappearing. Gas is officially green.

December 26, 2022

Please dont mention guilt or innocence while asking if there was a case to answer

Strictly speaking the various inquiries into the case against Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of a colleague do not involve a review of his guilt or innocence.

January 27, 2022

Lies, lies, lies and the lying liars who tell them

Politicians, predominantly on the right, have repeatedly been caught lying in direct contravention of video evidence. The falsifications arent minor.

November 16, 2021

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.

September 25, 2021

Submarines. Gross mismanagement, confusion and waste: Part 1

Australia’s submarines deal is a lesson in how to offend one country after another: Japan, Germany and now France.

February 6, 2025

Roaming charges: Manifest Destiny’s child

There was a messianic fervour in Donald Trump’s Second Inaugural speech that wasn’t evident eight years ago. As dark as the 2016 American Carnage diatribe was, there was still the sense that Trump was a salesman pitching a vision he didn’t quite believe in, but thought he needed to sell in order to legitimise himself to his own ragged ranks of followers. Mainly, he seemed surprised to find himself where he was. The man who returned to power this week seemed sterner, surer of how to leverage his authority and who to use it against, more confident of his own invincibility. Was this hubristic exhibition infused by the bullet that grazed his ear, or his close encounters with incarceration, and the Supreme Court anointing him with an almost Divine-like cloak of immunity to do whatever he wants for whatever venal reason? Likely, all of the above.

November 14, 2024

Addressing harms caused by Australia’s response to ‘Slavery’

_Chris Evans’ involvement in anti-trafficking responses in the late 2000’s was a heady time for the sector; John Howards’ ousting led many to hope migration would no longer be the political weapon of choice, human rights became important and collaboration with civil society became funded, fair and feasible.

March 23, 2024

China is chastised for its new boundary in Tonkin Gulf

China is one of the most misunderstood and maligned nations when it comes to what it does and does not do in the South China Sea, and that it claims almost all features. Chinas nine-dash line controversial claim in the South China Sea is actively challenged by five other coastal states in the region including the Philippines and Vietnam.

January 14, 2023

Devastation and blindness in our High Country

One can only hope that the day is not too far away when I was only doing my job will be no more a defence against climate crimes than it is against war crimes.

December 8, 2022

Generational challenge for Liberals facing overwhelming youth vote deficit

Perhaps the single biggest question confronting Australian politics is how the Liberal-National coalition addresses an overwhelming deficit of support among younger generations.

November 4, 2022

Secrecy and empire

Under the guise of protecting the national interest, Australias security establishment acts in secret to uphold the global US-led imperial order.

October 12, 2022

Too late to avoid an electricity transition catastrophe?

About two years ago, I wrote an article for Pearls and Irritations (December 1, 2020) suggesting Australia was tracking to repeat and reap the mixed railway gauges folly of the Nineteenth Century in our handling of the transition from fossil fuel to renewable electricity generation.

March 28, 2022

This is now one for Albo to lose

The history of unreliable opinion polls in Australiais such that it would be a brave punter who would call the election result on the evidence of polls alone. Right now, however, it would be an even more courageous one, who would be betting against the definite trend of polls indicating a decisive change of government.

December 2, 2021

Charities muzzled when climate action advocacy is most needed

Blocking charities from lobbying on “political” issues such as climate change is a blow to a liberal democracy and to our children’s futures.

March 30, 2021

Sexual assault policies fit pattern of abuse of power

Three decades ago, Bob Hawke seized on Joh Bjeke-Petersens revolt against John Howards leadership of the Liberal Party with a campaign slogan which said of the coalition, If you cant govern yourselves, you cant govern the country. Obvious party disunity tends to have that effect.

March 24, 2025

Active Management – Rethinking our approach to forest stewardship

Our recent research raises an important and challenging question: Are our well-intentioned management interventions like thinning in high conservation value forests truly serving nature, or are they inadvertently accelerating the degradation of these critical ecosystems?

February 7, 2025

Antisemitism as a morally repugnant excuse for genocide

It is not widely appreciated that the term “antisemitism” is a relatively modern one, originating in 1879 when the German agitator Wilhelm Marr used it to describe the anti-Jewish campaigns underway in central Europe at that time. The term is a misnomer since “Semitic peoples” include members of any group that speaks or historically spoke a Semitic language, including Jews and Arabs. According to Oxford Reference, the term “Semitic” derives from the biblical figure Shem, son of Noah, from whom these groups were traditionally thought to descend. Therefore, antisemitism, in a literal sense, would imply hostility toward both Jews and Arabs. Of course, following the logic of that label, it can equally be said that Zionists are antisemitic as they demonstrate hatred towards and commit criminal acts against the Semitic Arabs of Palestine. However, its common usage today, which has been adopted and promoted for political purposes by the practitioners of the far-right Zionist ideology, refers specifically to prejudice or hostility against Jewish people.

December 7, 2024

Forty years on, no justice for Bhopal victims – Asian Media Report

In Asian media this week: Disaster survivor says she wishes she had died. Plus: Macabre dispute over Pakistan protest deaths; Trump’s new term, crisis time for AUKUS: Martial law becomes South Korea’s democratic moment; Fentanyl America’s problem, says Beijing; Women’s freedom means no going back on population decline

November 26, 2024

COP 29: grossly inadequate funding signals a deepening East–West divide

Developing countries at COP 29 presented the Western world with an annual US$1trillion financial transfer bill for the cost of their profligate carbon fuelled global warming inducing industrialisation. That sum was no NGO rule of thumb figure but one produced by an organisation funded by Western governments themselves - the International Energy Agency, the world’s foremost body dealing with energy. Despite these credentials, the West saw fit to radically discount its bill by two thirds to US$300 billion.

April 5, 2024

Chinas quiet energy revolution: the switch from nuclear to renewable energy

There is now a policy dispute about the roles of nuclear and renewable energy in future Australian low emission energy systems. The experience of China over more than a decade provides compelling evidence on how this debate will be resolved. In December 2011 Chinas National Energy Administration announced that China would make nuclear energy the foundation of its electricity generation system in the next “10 to 20 years”. Just over a decade later China has wound back those ambitious targets and reoriented its low emission energy strategy around the rapid deployment of renewable solar and wind energy at unprecedented rates.

March 30, 2024

Environment: Fossil fuel company profits are delaying grid decarbonisation

Securing a liveable planet and the retail price of electricity are important but current fossil fuel profit margins are slowing grid decarbonisation. Water temperature in the Pacific is influencing methane emissions in the sub-Arctic. Enjoy nature this Easter.

February 28, 2024

Hugh White dismantles the AUKUS project

As opposition to AUKUS grows, the nuclear submarine project does not stand up to expert scrutiny.

December 3, 2023

Australias AUKUS nuclear submarines could fuel regional arms race despite assurance

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy says Australia is not worsening the arms race and gives assurance about the submarines nuclear reactors. The deal could still spark a defence build-up in Asia-Pacific while Australia lacks the facilities to deal with nuclear waste, analysts say.

November 20, 2022

To understand the rise of China examine what we have in common

One hundred years ago in China the May 4th Movement announced that “Science and Socialism” would save the nation. In Australia, thirteen years prior, a workers party has already taken national government for the first time in history.

February 28, 2022

Russia should shrink from Morrison's dressing down!!

When Vladimir Putin braved the risk of being shirtfronted by Tony Abbott to come to Australia for the G20 summit, a journalist asked him What do you think of Australia?

February 19, 2025

If the Coalition under Dutton isn’t liberal or conservative, what is it?

Ill winds are blowing in from the United States of America. In the times ahead we will be tested in Australia, across the spectrum, as to whether we adopt a similar approach to our politics.

December 17, 2024

Consumption is driving global greenhouse gas emissions

Patrick Mazza has offered a valuable analysis of China’s contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and what it is doing, and still needs to do to reduce them. However, like the vast majority of scenarios on mitigating GHG emissions, it doesn’t address the elephant in the room, the growing growth in consumption in China and in the whole planet. Economic growth is closely correlated with the growth in consumption of energy and emissions.

November 22, 2024

Satellite honours for AUKUS: Joe Courtney’s Order of Australia Award

Joe Courtney, who serves as Congressman for Connecticut’s second district, has received a rather curious honour. It has come in the form of a tribute from a US satellite – some would rightly say annexure or some other subordinate status. A press release from his office on October 22 announced that Rep. Courtney had been “appointed by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO).”

February 24, 2024

In God we trust

The following words are from Canadian Dr. Yasser Khan (Eye-Facial Plastic Trauma Surgeon) who returned from a humanitarian surgical mission at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza.

February 9, 2024

The US plan to kill more Ukrainians

Biden and Schumer’s proposed $61 billion for the Ukraine war will make no difference on the battlefield except to prolong the war, the tens of thousands of deaths, and the physical destruction of Ukraine.

January 7, 2024

Hamas strength stems from its role as a welfare organisation

Hamas was voted in by Palestinians in Gaza in a fair election (as agreed by international monitors). It was primarily a welfare organisation providing services and infrastructure for the general population. It primarily still has this role, with an attached small military wing.

January 2, 2024

Saving Israel by ending its war in Gaza

Israels brutality in Gaza is becoming a true threat to Israels survival.

December 30, 2023

Israel is conducting a pogrom against the Palestinian people

Former U.S. Ambassador Charles Freeman questions the true intentions of Israel’s renewed bombing of Gaza.

March 4, 2023

Modern Olympics: Russian athlete bans violate the charter

Will Australian athletes face a similar ban on participation in the Olympics for their governments wars of aggression?

January 13, 2023

All pathways to AUKUS submarines sub-optimal

It is difficult to reconcile the public documents and statements relating to the AUKUS nuclear-power submarine project. Unlike the usual procurement process the defence policy justification is opaque, the schedule and costs are unclear, and the implications for Australian industry vague.

February 1, 2022

Crony capitalists narcissistic rage prompts proxy advice ambush

The Treasurers new proxy adviser regulations impose bizarre new standards that no financial markets participant should countenance.

December 2, 2021

Victoria's game-changing tax funds infrastructure from developer's profits

The worthy name, Windfall Gains Tax, cloaks legislation that delivers the muscle and money to build schools and hospitals while keeping planning and rezoning honest.

March 9, 2025

Environment: Albanese sacrifices the marine environment for Tasmanian votes

Prime minister showers salmon farmers with treats despite the environmental destruction and massive salmon deaths. Nations have opportunities during 2025 to improve ocean health. Exponential increases in global battery storage capacity. People alive today have produced most of the world’s greenhouse gases.

January 25, 2025

Trump ‘angling for deal’ with Xi – Asian Media Report

In Asian media this week: President links China to Panama Canal face-off. Plus: Weaknesses in America’s Asian pact latticework; Government, industry behind Tokyo’s RAN frigates bid; Thai support for Myanmar scams points to corruption; Beijing pushes soft power through video games; 57 arrested over Dalit schoolgirl abuse.

March 5, 2024

Is ASIOs paranoia hypocritical?

Some of my best friends are Chinese. This is entirely unsurprising given my frequent visits to the PRC, the Chinese students I have supervised and the colleagues I have collaborated with over the years. I used to think such relationships were unambiguously a good thing and the possible basis for a better understanding between our two countries.

Pearls and Irritations

John Menadue's Public Policy Journal