In British politics, collapses come slowly and then all at once. Sir Keir Starmer, elected on the promise of competence after the chaos of Johnson, Truss and Sunak, has now seen his credibility unravel in record time. (more…)
Category: Politics
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AUKUS anniversary reminder to the prime minister
Dear prime minister, How very unfortunate that you chose 14 September to announce further expenditure on submarine facilities. (more…)
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FOI changes big backward step for government transparency
There has been much commentary, most of it critical, about federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland’s recently introduced Bill that amends the Freedom of Information Act by restricting access through measures that will allow undermine a core democratic principles – accountability by government to the people it serves. (more…)
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Vale Pat Power, a true minister
The Australian Catholic Church lost one of its genuine leaders on Monday morning with the death of 83-year-old Bishop Patrick Power, retired Auxiliary-Bishop of Canberra Goulburn. (more…)
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Fifty years without coups or dictators: How PNG built a durable democracy based on dignity and fairness
On 20 April 1972, 100 newly elected parliamentarians gathered in Port Moresby for the opening of the Third House of Assembly, Papua New Guinea’s legislative body. (more…)
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Australia issues ‘terrifying’ climate warning
More intense global warming will bring “terrifying impacts” to human health, infrastructure, the environment, national security and the economy, the Australian Government has warned. (more…)
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Islamophobia reports are not enough
For decades, Muslims in Australia have been asked to give evidence, to share their trauma, and to trust that government inquiries will bring change. (more…)
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Confucius Institute decline signals China’s soft power shift
While Chinese soft power is thriving in the so-called “Global South”, it is waning elsewhere. (more…)
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Volunteer doctors describe how Israeli troops ‘deliberately targeted’ Gaza children
“How is it possible that, in this small hospital, four children are lying here with gunshot wounds to the head – all admitted within the past 48 hours?” said one US trauma surgeon. (more…)
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We’re going up in the financial world, but no one’s noticed
Economists like us to think they’re coolly rational in all things. Nah. They’re just as susceptible to fads and fashions as the rest of us. (more…)
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The rise of China and learning the correct lessons from history
Given that the only certainty in international affairs these days is uncertainty, we should probably be circumspect about projecting how the world might look decades down the track — let alone how our current moment might be portrayed in the rearview mirror of history. (more…)
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Devastating climate risk report shows need to slash emissions 75%, deploy green capital fast
The Albanese Government is reportedly set to announce its new National Determined Contributions ( NDCs) to 2035 this week – its emissions reduction targets under our Paris Agreement obligations. (more…)
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As Europe diversifies its defence, Canberra still clings to AUKUS
Anthony Albanese is about to pour more than $12 billion into a new AUKUS submarine base in Perth. (more…)
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China’s giant military parade didn’t surprise just the West
China’s recent display of its newly acquired military might surprised not only international observers, but also its own seasoned diplomats. (more…)
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AFP won’t look in the mirror of a murder of one of their own
It is nearly 37 years since assistant commissioner Col Winchester, head of the ACT arm of the Australian Federal Police, was shot twice in the head soon after he drove his car into the driveway alongside his Deakin home. (more…)
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Out of darkness comes a shaft of cheer
The news from Indonesia this month has been dispiriting – natural disaster flooding in Bali and Flores, man-made maladministration, political chicanery, perpetual graft and rioting in the cities. The headlines imply the country is crumpling. It’s not, and here’s why. (more…)
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The martyrdom of Charlie Kirk
Martyrs are used by messianic movements to sanctify violence. To show any mercy or understanding toward the enemy is to betray the martyr and the cause the martyr died defending. (more…)
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‘We took the gloves off’: Former Israeli military chief admits 220,000 Gaza casualties
A former Israel Defence Forces chief of staff says more than over 10% of Gaza’s population of approximately 2.2 million was killed or injured since October 2023.
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What will happen if/when the AI bubble bursts
Is the AI boom heading towards a bust – just like many other boom and bust cycles of the past? (more…)
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Attacking Qatar shows Israel doesn’t want a Gaza ceasefire
Netanyahu keeps changing his position on a Gaza ceasefire, using different ploys to keep the war going. (more…)
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New ‘thought policing’ bill may let Rubio strip passports from US citizens over political speech
“Marco Rubio has claimed the power to designate people terrorist supporters based solely on what they think and say,” said one free speech advocate. (more…)
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Landmark report to combat Islamophobia in Australia launched
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese together with Dr Anne Aly, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, joined Special Envoy Aftab Malik in Sydney on Friday 12 September 2025 for the launch of the landmark report “A National Response to Islamophobia: A strategic Framework for Inclusion, Safety and Prosperity”. (more…)
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Australia needs to diplomatically disengage from our ‘dangerous ally’
It seems likely that our prime minister will meet Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly later this month. (more…)
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Message from the editor
It seemed almost too much to look back to the events of 9/11 in New York, when there is so much killing and grief swirling the globe now. (more…)
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Essential APS reform – more to do
It is hard not to fear that the Albanese Government has decided not to pursue the further reforms to the APS it promised during its first term in office. (more…)
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The UN turns 80
The most important agenda item for the United Nations General Assembly this month will be the future of Palestine. But Palestinian leaders will be unable to discuss it, because they will be absent. (more…)
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Regional arts vital, but neglected, community resources
Australia has a unique network of regional art galleries which attract tourism, help local businesses thrive and contribute to overall regional development. (more…)
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When Albanese thanked a wanted war criminal
Monday, 11 August 2025, was a dark day in Australian political history. On that day, a serving Australian prime minister publicly thanked a wanted war criminal. (more…)
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US State Dept ‘reviewing’ foreigner comment on Kirk killing
“The US Government, seeking to punish those who make light of the incident, is a complete betrayal of the First Amendment and spits in the face of the principle of free speech and debate,” said one lawyer. (more…)
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Genocide – Armenia (1915-16) and Gaza (2023-25)
The term “genocide”, and its codification in international law, has its origins in the mass murder of Armenians in 1915–16. (more…)