Flat White

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

Week in 60 Minutes S2E8: The Age of Conspiracy and rise of the militant unions… Professor David Flint, Nick Hossack, Stuart Ballantyne

27 March 2024 12:15 am

Albanese’s rule has had a nasty side effect … the resurrection of the militant union movement. Between a powerful collective…

Health insurers experiment with nine-day fortnights

26 March 2024 10:21 am

It is reported that health insurer BUPA is ‘trialling’ a nine-day fortnight for its staff, meaning it is looking to…

E-scooters and e-bikes are on the rise. Will we ever walk again?

26 March 2024 2:30 am

In 2022, Utrecht (Holland) was ranked the world’s most bike-friendly city. Australia seems keen to compete, with the number of…

Fatal flaws exposed in the Net Zero transition. What is to be done?

26 March 2024 2:00 am

According to NSW’s Ausgrid, the most recent AEMO draft Integrated System Plan (ISP) for electricity supply will require $325 billion…

If the ABC reforms itself, would you watch it?

25 March 2024 10:09 pm

Kim ‘the Renaissance man’ Williams has promised to fix the national broadcaster

Kept in the dark: Chinese Foreign Minister visit was a wake-up call

25 March 2024 10:41 am

This week’s provocative visit from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was a wake-up call for those who have spun us…

Treasurer’s antifragile Budget just another black swan

25 March 2024 10:30 am

The Treasurer is like a boss who enthusiastically makes everyone’s life a misery with every new fad. Only this time,…

The ABC once made jokes, now it is a joke

25 March 2024 10:26 am

I have fond memories of ABC’s Wednesday night programming around 2005-10 when the best comedies they had to offer used…

Canada is the country to watch for conservatives

25 March 2024 2:00 am

Pierre Poilievre is the gambler’s choice to become Canada’s next Prime Minister and he is becoming an international political superstar…

Alexandra Marshall Live S2E7 with Michael de Percy

25 March 2024 12:15 am

Speccie regular and senior lecturer of political science, Michael de Percy, joins the show to unpick the crazy political landscape.…

Tasmania’s hung Parliament exposes the failure of major parties

24 March 2024 1:17 pm

The Liberals have tentatively claimed ‘victory’ in Tasmania, but who knows if that will hold until Monday. If it does,…

From pioneers to puppets

24 March 2024 12:15 am

When the first Europeans arrived to settle in Australia, it mattered not whether they were administrators, convicts, army officers, or…

Princess Catherine fights cancer, as does our Crown

23 March 2024 4:19 pm

The announcement that Catherine, Princess of Wales, is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer has left many across the world, especially…

The World Jewish Congress investigates Wikipedia

23 March 2024 3:00 am

It’s no news to Spectator Australia readers that Wikipedia has the potential to be usurped by biased editors and biased…

Fencing

23 March 2024 2:30 am

Persistent thumping and early morning glare woke Anton. As he opened his eyes, through a torn and flimsy curtain, he…

Bitcoin: not a fad, not a scam

23 March 2024 2:00 am

Throw open the door to bitcoin miners

Gasp! The Christians are voting in Tasmania

22 March 2024 4:32 pm

It’s election week in Tasmania, and former leader of the Australian Greens, Christine Milne, appears to be clutching her pearls…

The unions are at war with NAPLAN (and why it must be saved)

22 March 2024 10:20 am

Like clockwork, NAPLAN’s most vocal critics have again shown they miss the point of the national assessment. Around 1.3 million…

Tony Abbott warns against complacency in the face of ‘creeping Wokeness’

22 March 2024 9:52 am

A majority that stays silent does not long remain a majority

The Bill of ‘self’

22 March 2024 2:30 am

‘Belief Bashing’… That is what some have nicknamed Greenwich Bill sitting before the NSW Parliament. I would argue it is…

Neonicotinoid prawn cocktail, anyone?

22 March 2024 2:00 am

Most Australians wouldn’t think twice about throwing a ‘shrimp on the barbie’ with their mates… This Aussie tradition is an…

Senate votes against vaccine-injured Australians 

21 March 2024 8:40 pm

I am a vaccine-injured Australian, writing under a false name to protect my identity. The reason I do this is…

How about tax deductions for your home loan interest?

21 March 2024 2:25 am

Imagine if you could claim the interest you pay on your mortgage as a tax deduction. While you can’t in…

Netflix’s Damsel is in distress

21 March 2024 2:00 am

After watching the first ten minutes of Netflix’s Damsel, I had the entire plot mapped out. About halfway through the movie,…

Australia needs leadership before it can improve its military capability

21 March 2024 1:29 am

Australia’s military strategy seems devoid of leadership – and yet we are going to need some. The outlook isn’t good.…