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A culture of corruption is engulfing the Morrison government
The Morrison government has corrupted the idea of democratic government itself by undermining of political institutions. Continue reading »
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Australia’s damaging and deluded retreat from Asia
Obsessed with demonising China, the Morrison government appears to exult in its destruction of one of Australia’s most valuable relationships. Continue reading »
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Lobbyland: The scourge of powerful special interests and lobbyists
Lobbyists have exceptional access to our Parliament and politicians, and they’re not acting in the public interest. Continue reading »
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The United States empire is almost always at war
The US empire is addicted to a belief in its exceptionalism, grounded in aggression both at home and abroad, and finding it hard to admit mistakes. Continue reading »
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Australia’s clumsy retreat from Asia will prove costly
The decline in our ties with Asia that began under John Howard has accelerated alarmingly as the Morrison government. Continue reading »
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Making an enemy of China: how we got into this mess
Australia’s attitude to China has many contradictions. As Australia beats the drums of war, it continues to sell its iron ore to China. Continue reading »
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History repeats: Billy Hughes on Japan and now Scott Morrison on China
Our leaders are uneducated on history. They’re repeating mistakes that had catastrophic consequences for Australia in the Pacific in the 20th century. Continue reading »
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Climate reality: A realistic path to a brighter future
The challenge for this generation of young people is to guide humanity and other life on our planet to a bright future. Continue reading »
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Democracy in decline: Australia’s slide into ‘competitive authoritarianism’
Australia is at a critical point. A government that would cling to power to impose unpopular policy threatens the very nature of our democracy. Continue reading »
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Will the media wake up to the danger to American democracy?
“Asymmetric polarisation” is a poor way to describe America’s descent into madness, propelled by the Republican voting base.. Continue reading »
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PM&C is damaging the integrity and reputation of the public service
At the heart of Senator Rex Patrick’s attack on a senior public servant was a call for the public service to be more independent and impartial. Continue reading »
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Minister, it’s a minefield: is Dutton playing chicken in the Taiwan Strait?
Part 2: Perhaps Australia is acting to a script agreed in Washington — seeking to increase China’s uncertainty about how the US will respond. Continue reading »
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In spying on East Timorese, Australia forgets its neighbour’s sacrifices
Australian forgetfulness of the wartime friendship and suffering of the Timorese people was crowned in 2004 by a grubby act of government greed. Continue reading »
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Fossil fuels: the campaign to force PR agencies to clean up their act
The links between advertising agencies and the oil and gas industry are coming under increasing pressure through name-and-shame tactics. Continue reading »
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Government chooses ‘jobs and growth’ over peace with defence spending
Militarisation has become a means of promoting economic welfare, and the ‘defence industry hub’ in Geelong is just the latest such project. Continue reading »
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Australia doesn’t need a royal commission to fix its broken media
A disappointing media diversity report was predictable and largely unhelpful. Here is how to address the genuine problems with the Australian media. Continue reading »
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Climate of betrayal: fossil fuel subsidies cost $5.9 trillion in 2020
Despite promises of tackling climate change, governments around the world are still allowing new oil, gas and coal mines. Continue reading »
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A curate’s egg: measuring the successes of Australia’s vaccine rollout
Against the odds, Australia’s vaccine rollout has been largely successful. In the first part of a two-part article, Robin Boyle reviews what worked. Continue reading »
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Australia maintains its sanctimonious stance on human rights
The diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics is just the latest example of Australia’s rank hypocrisy in criticising rights abuses by other nations. Continue reading »
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Bad sport: harsh training regimes amount to human rights abuses
The International Olympic Committee should step up to protect athletes from brutal treatment while training for elite competition. Continue reading »
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It’s time: we need a new social contract, with women at the forefront
The interests of half the population can no longer be ignored in the quest to remake our systems of governance, writes Eva Cox. Continue reading »
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Overhaul the global financial system for the sake of the planet
The current two-tiered global financial system only allows rich countries to borrow on decent market terms so they can tackle problems like climate change. Continue reading »
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Richest 1% takes 38% of global wealth while bottom half gets 2%
Global inequities in wealth and income are as great today as they were at the peak of Western imperialism in the early 20th century. Continue reading »
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Justice denied: the judicial kidnapping of Julian Assange
If Julian Assange is extradited to the US, his life is at stake and, if we remain silent, so is our very humanity, John Pilger writes. Continue reading »
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Labor and independents can end a political reign of error
Anthony Albanese’s best chance of election victory is to appeal to the better nature of Australians — and to replace his deputy. Continue reading »
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Quad queers its pitch: champions of democracy fail to walk the talk
The much-touted alliance designed to provide a counterweight to China is backsliding on its professed liberal principles, writes Brian Toohey. Continue reading »
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States of chaos: internal border closures a disaster during pandemic
Free movement between the states is central to the Constitution — long-term lockdowns and officious regulation will have dire consequences. Continue reading »
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Last chance saloon: ABC crucial to the survival of local TV production
A new report commissioned by the ABC reveals that the public broadcaster’s local productions contribute at least $744 million to the Australian economy. Continue reading »
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More winning suggestions for Labor to take on board
Our recent 10-point plan for an ALP victory at the next election prompted a reaction that shows many voters desperately want Labor to stand for something. Continue reading »
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Where there are tailings, no grass grows: Serbians protest against Rio Tinto
Australian mining giant Rio Tinto is at the centre of a new controversy — this time, over a lithium mine and processing plant in Serbia. Continue reading »