The April 19 edition
Right-wing populist leaders and lobby groups have proved to be an unmitigated disaster for the West. The body-blow of Brexit will result in the UK having three million fewer jobs and 32 per cent lower investment by 2035, according to Cambridge Econometrics (even Mr Brexit himself, Nigel Farage, has admitted it’s been a failure). In just three months, Donald Trump has taken a sledgehammer to America’s most revered institutions, turned the US economy into a tariff circus and wantonly undermined its democracy (by attacking the judiciary, tearing down election security guardrails and appointing clueless cronies) to consolidate his power. The playbook of these groups trumpets “free speech” (but you must agree with their world view) and a discriminatory, “anti-woke” agenda. In our cover story this week, Tim Elliott rips the propaganda veneer from Australia’s Advance, a political lobby group which disingenuously claims to be a “grassroots” organisation with no links to US right-wing think-tanks. – Greg Callaghan, acting editor
‘Copied the MAGA model’: The ‘grassroots’ lobby group funded by some of Australia’s richest
The Advance propaganda machine is aimed at ordinary Australians but backed by some of our wealthiest – and has links to a right-wing US foundation.
- by Tim Elliott
‘It took me 20 years to become the boss’: Lady Gaga’s ‘new world’
The pop superstar on how she “lost touch with reality” and her “trouble making friends” before finally taking control and finding contentment.
- by David Marchese
Egg freezing is on the rise: ‘Fertility insurance’, or a risky lottery?
The number of Australian women freezing their eggs is skyrocketing – but the proportion who actually use them is surprising.
- by Amanda Hooton
‘Transformative’: How a remote WA town, population 20, inspired Bangarra’s new show
The Kimberley community of Lombadina may be tiny, but its story of survival convinced Bangarra Dance Theatre to bring it to the world.
- by Jane Albert
Gut health, glamping, druids … Whatever your passion, there’s a newsletter for it
The online platform Substack is giving a vast array of writers a voice. Some of them even earn an income from it.
- by Stephanie Wood
Two of Us
Two of Us
‘It gives me goosebumps’: The graduation gift from the woman Yung calls ‘Mum’
In 2000, Vietnamese-born Yung was in Australia alone and living in a refuge. Then she met Sharman.
- by Fenella Souter
‘In that moment, everything changed’: Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel’s teenage grief
The TV journalist turned teal MP on the drift from the two-party system, struggling to keep fit – and the day she lost her innocence.
- by Benjamin Law
Modern Guru
Modern Guru
Do flyers for my church count as junk mail?
Try to spot any subtle signs that the inhabitants may not want your flyer, suggests our Modern Guru.
- by Danny Katz
Spicy prawn strozzapreti
This easy prawn pasta is bursting with flavour thanks to juicy cherry tomatoes, while fresh chilli makes for a fiery sauce.
- by Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Review
Melbourne
You’ll hit the jackpot at this suburban Chinese restaurant with heart – and perfect prawn toast
Come for the dumplings and prawn toast, stay for the warm, cosy atmosphere at convivial Potluck.
- by Dani Valent
Review
Sydney
Itching to get out of town? This cosy waterside restaurant is your new weekend destination
Chillis Cottage in Davistown is an excellent spot to enjoy oysters, cinnamon scrolls, breakfast omelettes and gelato sundaes.
- by Callan Boys
Do we need expensive gadgets to preserve the fizz in wine?
Don’t silver teaspoons or dead matches preserve the bubbles in open bottles of sparkling?
- by Huon Hooke
The quip
Roger, tipsy, made a quip at Colette’s expense and their dinner guests laughed. One snorted. Colette raised a smile, but it was painted on. Oh god, Roger thought, I’m done for. Try as he might to retrieve the situation – “Stay there, Col, I’ll get it!“; “What a meal, honey!“; “Exactly right, love!” – she gave him nothing but shark eyes. As he stacked the dessert plates and anticipated, with a leaden gut, the guests’ imminent departure, he became uncharacteristically gregarious. “One more for the road?” he enthused. “The night’s still young!“; “Why not stay the night?!” Finally, desperately, “Please don’t go!” – Words by Paul Connolly. Illustration by Jim Pavlidis.
Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/the-april-19-edition-20250417-p5lsld.html