Great people answer tricky questions: Benjamin Law’s best interviews of 2022
Here, reader favourites from Good Weekend’s Dicey Topics deep-dives | A former High Court judge | Two comedians | A new federal MP | A football player | An actor | Two singers | Two health experts
‘Yield!’: Former High Court judge Michael Kirby’s surprising relationship secret
The 83-year-old talks about living through the AIDS pandemic, why he still gets up at 6am for work, and why giving in is the clue to a happy marriage.
- by Benjamin Law
‘Trying to out-fact someone who’s religious is absurd – and cruel’: Hannah Gadsby
The comedian discusses growing up in Tasmania’s bible belt, her career Plan B, and the unexpected outcomes of money and marriage.
- by Benjamin Law
‘Even Josh Frydenberg called Monique Ryan’: Dai Le on the call that never came
The MP for Fowler ponders why rival Kristina Keneally didn’t phone after her win, how a car park got her into politics – and a difficult mother-son chat.
- by Benjamin Law
Tennis commentator Casey Dellacqua: ‘It was difficult hearing comments that were so hurtful’
The former professional tennis player discusses the dominant emotion she felt when retiring, finding her voice for the LGBTQI community, and childbirth.
- by Benjamin Law
‘Kids force you to articulate things’: Hamish Blake on tackling tricky conversations
The Gold Logie award-winning presenter on how he explained death to his kids, his criteria for taking on work, and a little-known party trick.
- by Benjamin Law
Singer Rickie Lee Jones: ‘10 years ago, I lost everything’
The two-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter talks about her love affair with Tom Waits, losing everything at 57, and how she overcame her stage fright.
- by Benjamin Law
‘You’re still a human being’: Brett Sutton on public criticism during COVID
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer talks about coping with the politicisation of his role in the pandemic, studying Buddhism, and losing his father at a young age.
- by Benjamin Law
How faith helps me as a scientist: epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre
The biosecurity expert discusses the need for resilience and dealing with gutter politics, plus: why she rates Australia’s pandemic response a five out of 10.
- by Benjamin Law
‘I actually gave back money’: Former AFL star Tom Boyd on losing his love of playing
The former Western Bulldogs player talks about the challenges of too much money, his record-breaking contract, and the joy of gaining control over his life.
- by Benjamin Law
‘I’m not just a woman and Asian, I’m older…’ Michelle Yeoh on making it in Hollywood
The Malaysian actor discusses why she doesn’t see herself as a sex symbol, her admiration for Aung San Suu Kyi, and the way she’d like to die.
- by Benjamin Law
Entrepreneur Dick Smith on that moment he agreed with Pauline Hanson
The former Australian of the Year discusses how he started a business with $600, why he never entered the political arena – and the one thing better than sex.
- by Benjamin Law
‘We’re all in the queue’: How writing helped Indira Naidoo understand death
The journalist, broadcaster and author talks about learning to process the death of ‘the most charismatic person in the room’: her sister.
- by Benjamin Law
Hamilton’s Lyndon Watts: ‘There’s no right way to be sexual’
The actor discusses the slow move in theatre away from all-white casting panels, the difficulties he faced as a teenager – and why he wants to play an elf.
- by Benjamin Law