In-depth analysis of the day’s news, plus stories and gossip from Australian politics.
We really are in trouble when “far-right” is common sense
Let’s strip away labels and go back to basics. Federal National MP George Christensen will propose a motion at the…
Vote yes: why religious tolerance means Christians should tolerate same-sex marriage
If the High Court allows the government’s decision to have a postal vote on the issue of same sex marriage…
The rise of the Middle-Aged Snowflake
We hear a lot these days about the strange fragility of our young people. Apparently, life has dealt them such…
If you don’t know, vote no
From its previous decisions, it is possible, indeed probable that the High Court will stop the same-sex marriage plebiscite on…
Our family law system is a mess
Given the ongoing debate over same-sex marriage, it’s worth asking whether our family law system should cover anyone, gay or…
Brexit’s warning
Brexit didn’t just happen even though the British were increasingly aggrieved at the thousands slipping across from Europe to claim…
Whatever happened to fast food?
Lately, I’ve been asking myself a question: whatever ever happened to fast food? It just seems everywhere I go the…
Same-sex marriage and the “political advocacy” of the AMA
Dr Pansy Lai, a practicing Sydney GP, who appeared on the Australian Christian Lobby’s advertisement for the “no” campaign last…
Euthanasia: definitions matter
The worldwide movement to enshrine legislation to enable certain people to die prematurely either at their own hands, with medical…
You’ve got a right to say “no”
I’ve known that it was more likely than not I might be gay since I first learned the words to…
Indigenous people used as sacrificial lambs
There was a lot of media focus on the video of street violence that Indigenous elders from Wyndham, Roebourne and…
To fight racism, the Left should first look to their own
Over the last few weeks, the left has been a very happy bunch. With the ‘Unite the Right’ rally on…
The best banking regulator? Competition
Australian banking is in a tough spot. The recent Commonwealth Bank scandal, involving a systemic breach of anti-money laundering laws,…
When fake is fine
The failing Fairfax newspapers are obsessed by evil, wicked, right-wing, racist, Trump-loving “fake news” — obsessed to RUOK? levels. Unless,…
But it’s all about equality, right?
We are in the middle of a storm of misinformation as the plebiscite on same-sex marriage draws near. Who do…
Whale beats kale
I love whales. They are beautiful, majestic – and delicious. And they – or rather this post – will lose…
The Greens don’t let a tragedy go to waste
It seems the Greens in NSW have taken a breather from taking pot shots at one another to go back…
Since when were sharks more valuable than human life?
The day before Tadashi Nakahara was killed by a shark, I was surfing at the same location. It was late…
The libertarian case against marriage equality
On 27 November 2007, the legal hammer fell on Massachusetts’ resident David Parker as he lost his court battle to…
The real Macquarie
Lachlan Macquarie. The name of New South Wales fifth governor is now the subject of controversy, its owner branded a symbol…
Fairfax follies on environment leave us green about the gills
Attempts by government to push power prices down is nothing but a “distraction”, according to the genius analysis of Mark Kenny…
Our leftie lingo around domestic violence is awry
Welcome to gendered violence groundhog day. Yet again today it’s reported more funding is being dedicated to “women and families fleeing domestic violence.” …
Teachers as activists
Earlier this month, parents at Forestville Public School in the Northern beaches were invited to watch their children perform in…
Australia: trapped by cheap credit
The Reserve Bank of Australia has all but conceded that Australia is trapped in a debt and asset price bubble…
The demon of the absolute
BOSTON – UNITED STATES The word of the week over here was ‘iconoclasm’. Estimable journals have been dropping it, from…