Flat White

In-depth analysis of the day’s news, plus stories and gossip from Australian politics.

Whatever happened to the free speech party?

2 February 2021 4:00 am

The communication revolution birthed by Big Tech began with the best of intentions – to provide anyone, even the most…

Kevin Andrews deserved better

1 February 2021 6:53 pm

Kevin Andrews didn’t deserve the vilification he received after losing yesterday’s Menzies preselection, especially from journalists who appear to have…

Surprise, surprise: chief health officer calls to keep QR codes after covid crisis fades

1 February 2021 4:33 pm

It had to happen somewhere, sooner or later. Hilariously, it’s occurred in South Australia, home of the notorious pizza box…

Twelve months is enough: we need a clear lead from the PM on freedom of movement

1 February 2021 2:45 pm

In 2019, the last full year before the pandemic, there were almost 22 million international arrivals into Australia. That’s Australians…

Trust the union movement to guarantee a sleazy start to the political year

1 February 2021 12:30 pm

Analysing and critiquing the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is one thing. It’s quite another insinuating that Prime Minister…

China’s bullying backfires: Australia ahead in trade spat

1 February 2021 4:00 am

The events might come from a Hollywood script. School bully (China), annoyed over being left out of games (lucrative overseas…

Big Tech: private companies now wielding the coercive power of government like a one-party state

31 January 2021 7:46 pm

Anyone with siblings knows that trying to win an argument by yelling louder than your sister, or sticking fingers in…

Kevin Andrews’ defeat: a setback for ScoMo at the start of the parliamentary year

31 January 2021 5:09 pm

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has received an unwanted spanner in the works ahead of Tuesday’s return of parliament with barrister…

Insiders is insiders. How can they speak for ordinary Australia?

31 January 2021 3:40 pm

This morning I watched Insiders; the first episode of the year. In the first 15 minutes, the three guests —…

It’s shameful being gay was a crime in Victoria before 1980. Daniel Andrews’ conversion practices bill is shameful too

31 January 2021 1:15 pm

Shamefully, being gay in Victoria was a crime in Victoria before 1980. It will be no less shameful that in…

Biden and big tech: a fatal mix?

31 January 2021 7:00 am

For many, Joe Biden is a welcome return to normalcy following four years of Trumpian antics. However, a return to…

The great Kiwi kowtow

30 January 2021 12:03 pm

News item: New Zealand Trade Minister advises Australia to show China more “respect”. New Zealand has offered to teach Australia…

Twitter’s new moderators: #Birdwatch or birdshot?

29 January 2021 4:05 pm

Birdwatching is a pleasant, passive sort of ‘niche’ activity. Avian enthusiasts go about their lives, keeping an eye out for…

It’s not just Albo and Labor. Both parties must meet mainstream Australia’s needs, not pander to special interests

29 January 2021 2:37 pm

If Labor’s reshuffle will be enough to correct the party’s woeful policy agenda and reconnect with mainstream Australians remains to…

The tragic lack of people of colour in … “wellness”

29 January 2021 12:32 pm

I had really hoped that the events of 2020 would’ve sharpened people’s priorities and perspectives. We had bushfires, a pandemic, economic uncertainty, family…

Australian style quarantine for visitors to the UK? Terry Barnes speaks to Spectator TV

29 January 2021 11:48 am

Boris Johnson has adopted a form of Australia’s coronavirus quarantine for Britain. Will it work? The Spectator Australia’s Morning Double…

Will WorkSafe act on Daniel Andrews’ hotel quarantine disaster? They need more time…

29 January 2021 4:00 am

The prosecution of the Victorian government for the 800–plus Covid deaths due to its massive mismanagement (or worse) will not happen quickly. Governments routinely don’t hold themselves accountable…

Who are you calling racist?

28 January 2021 6:35 pm

So it turns out that six men ejected from the third cricket test in Sydney for racist conduct weren’t racist…

What’s woke this week?

28 January 2021 4:01 pm

In my ongoing quest to ‘do the work’ and come to terms with my inherent white supremacy I discovered recently that ‘third world’ is a term…

Energy prices: the new fault line in politics

28 January 2021 1:31 pm

Energy has emerged as the clear new faultline in Australian politics. We see today Anthony Albanese is removing his fellow…

Annastacia Palaszczuk’s covid chutzpah

28 January 2021 12:15 pm

Chutzpah. A mellifluous sounding word that is difficult to translate, but kinda sorta means: Utter nerve; effrontery. A better way to…

Kelly’s heroes

28 January 2021 4:00 am

Craig Kelly’s existence poses an existential problem for the Liberal Party.  It is difficult to work out how far a political…

Never again – what?

27 January 2021 7:58 pm

I am challenged on this day, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to explain exactly what the world promised when it swore…

Tech stocks: party like it’s 1999?

27 January 2021 6:32 pm

A tech bubble eerily similar to the Dotcom crash of 1999-2002 is brewing. This time, fueled by Covid stimulus, social…

What’s on the Davos agenda?

27 January 2021 4:00 pm

International uber management consultants McKinsey have published a guide The Davos agenda for this week’s conferencing. “See what’s on the…