In an interview with the ABC, Chris Sidoti, Commissioner on the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said the decision on recognition of Palestine was necessary, but not sufficient in and of itself. (more…)
Category: Politics
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‘I entrust you with Palestine’: The final testament of Anas al-Sharif
Anas al-Sharif, killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza, left behind a powerful farewell message – his final testament to his people, his family and the world. (more…)
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Trump’s fantasies and the American economy
Donald Trump’s bluster is likely to lead to lower American living standards and higher inflation. But his advisers want to keep their jobs, and won’t tell him that. (more…)
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Grossly inadequate compensation offered to Kathleen Folbigg
On 5 June 2023, Kathleen Folbigg was released from prison following 20 years of imprisonment after having been wrongfully convicted of killing her four children over a 10-year period. (more…)
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Recognition of the State of Palestine must be combined with principled action to stop Israel’s intensifying genocide in Gaza
The Jewish Council of Australia affirms the Palestinian people’s fundamental right to self-determination – a right that has been systematically denied by the Israeli state. (more…)
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Most of Trump’s net worth comes from ‘crypto empire’: report
According to an investigation by Accountable.US, 73% of Trump’s net worth may now come from crypto, which his administration is working to dramatically deregulate. (more…)
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Australian Jewish Association accused of hate campaign: Landmark legal action launched
The Australian Jewish Association and its charity arm, the Australian Jewish Association Tzedakah Incorporated, are facing a landmark legal challenge after more than a year of alleged racial and religious vilification targeting Palestinians and Muslims. (more…)
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Why Western hegemony is over
The tariff truce between China and the United States is set to end in August. What do you forecast will happen after that? And what will happen to trade relations between China and the US for the rest of US President Donald Trump’s second term? (more…)
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Germany’s arms embargo on Israel isn’t betrayal, it’s a moral reckoning
The arming of Israel now, so that it can carry out its plan to take control of Gaza and carry out ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity in the territory, is one of the most antisemitic and anti-Israeli measures imaginable. (more…)
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The long hand of your country of origin
When the Soviet communist agent Vladimir Petrov was sent to Australia by a predecessor of the KGB in 1951, he was not tasked with stealing Australian and Western defence and diplomatic secrets. (more…)
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Hundreds arrested in London for opposing ban on nonviolent group Palestine Action
“Let us be under no illusion,” said one organiser. “The government is criminalising the people of Britain for standing up against the biggest genocide of the 21st century, as it’s live streamed from Gaza.” (more…)
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It’s official: A cut in company tax will deliver little benefit at best
Be sure your dodgy modelling will find you out. I’m starting to think economists have become so used to pretending to know more about the economy than they really do, that they don’t notice the way they mislead the rest of us. (more…)
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Stand with Mary
It’s a privilege to join you today concerning Mary’s court case which is about the most fundamental issues of truth, justice and free speech in a decent society. (more…)
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We need media literacy programs for children, not a ban on social media
Western countries are searching for reasons why the anxiety, neuroticism and introversion of young people are increasing. Social media is being targeted as the major cause. So, Australia has decided to ban social media usage for children under age 16. (more…)
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Ukraine must be included in Trump-Putin peace talks, says Sanders
The senator said the negotiations could be “a positive step forward” after three-and-a-half years of war. (more…)
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Barnaby Joyce: From spoiler to saviour?
As a member of John Kerin’s staff, Gordon Gregory was, in effect, an adviser to the ALP. With this article he demonstrates his broadmindedness and naïveté by offering advice to the Liberal Party and to Barnaby Joyce. Simply put, it is this: “Euthanase the National Party and go it alone”. (more…)
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Eleven opportunities for Australia
The Pacific Peace Conference was held in Brisbane on 2 August 2025. (more…)
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Starvation is the constant companion of children in Gaza
Dear Child, I am the nothingness that will kill you. You do not know it, but you will feel the heaviness of your fate seep into your bones and flesh. (more…)
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Message from the editor
It has been difficult to focus on much other than the terrible events in Palestine in recent weeks. It is beyond comprehension that the Israeli Government could have made the war even worse, but with the announcement that it will attempt full occupation of Gaza it has done just that. (more…)
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The recession door opens
This past week was punctuated by a perfect storm of negative US economic reports and events. (more…)
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Well-being, health and the Productivity Roundtable
In June 2025 I wrote about the National Well-being Budget and Measuring What Matters. Since then, a lot has happened that deserves attention, particularly with the government’s planned Productivity Roundtable in August. (more…)
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Lessons from Aceh’s peace agreement
This 15 August marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Aceh peace agreement which ended three decades of separatist war in Indonesia’s western-most province. (more…)
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Reflections: public education past, present and future
Readers of Pearls and Irritations may be aware of the Public Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which turns donations into life-changing scholarships for students and others in around 200 NSW schools. (more…)
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NSW Premier and the right to protest
Great Labor leaders are usually good communicators, persuasive, with a commanding presence. (more…)
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When war criminals are nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, what does ‘peace’ even mean?
In 1939, a member of the Swedish parliament nominated Adolf Hitler for the Nobel Peace Prize. (more…)
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The occupation and ethnic cleansing of Gaza was always Netanyahu’s intention
On 19 December 2023, in Pearls and Irritations I wrote: “Hamas is the excuse for the Israeli attack on Gaza. It is not the reason. The real Israeli reason and objective in Gaza is to drive out the population and destroy infrastructure as part of a long-term plan to expel Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere. This settler colonisation has been ongoing since 1948, starting with the Nakba.” (more…)
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The Russians’ lost plot: will they find serenity or are they dreaming?
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Canberra Theatre. Patrons are advised that, for tonight’s performance of The Castle, the role of Mr Darryl Kerrigan will be played by Mr Vladimir Putin.” (more…)
