Tony Wright’s column
Astronomy
A cold moon on a hot night: the cosmos abides beyond worldly horrors
As Christmas approaches, a rare full moon illuminates the sky, reminding us of our restless, insignificant place within an orderly cycle of the universe.
- by Tony Wright
Latest
Political Sketch
John Pesutto
Note to Pesutto: Don’t mention the war
Two famously wry aphorisms warn against comparisons with Hitler or the Nazis in public arguments. Perhaps John Pesutto should have taken note.
- by Tony Wright
Tony Wright’s Column
Christmas
The roast turkey on grandmother’s table: A Christmas tale for the ages
Christmas turkeys have a long and tough history. They deserve all the pardoning they can get.
- by Tony Wright
Perspective
Anthony Albanese
Albanese, in a yarmulke, is all but swallowed in an election-like scrum
The PM has visited the burnt-out remains of the Adass Israel synagogue, surrounded by a scrum of media and congregants.
- by Tony Wright
Grief, disbelief and a shout of colour: Bianca Jones farewelled after Laos holiday tragedy
More than 1000 people – dressed in bright hues at the family’s request – attended “a celebration of life” for the Melbourne 19-year-old at her former high school.
- by Tony Wright
Tony Wright’s Column
US Votes 2024
War criminals, creepo dad: The Trump pardons that defy belief
The “prerogative of mercy” was once a matter of life and death, as one of my ancestors discovered. In the time of Donald Trump, it is toxic and corrupted.
- by Tony Wright
Political Sketch
Lidia Thorpe
It’s always been risky to bellow from the press gallery, Lidia
The last time anyone shouted from the press gallery, an abject apology was required to save the offender from trial by parliament. What now for Lidia Thorpe?
- by Tony Wright
Tony Wright’s Column
Taxis
Scammed and stranded in the city – by predatory taxi drivers
A night out at a concert; time to catch a cab home. But these taxi drivers want to scam everyone. Do they consider the danger facing those they leave stranded?
- by Tony Wright
Political sketch
Political leadership
Shorten condemns ‘quicksand of name-calling’ in fond farewell
Even Opposition Leader Peter Dutton conceded Bill Shorten would have made a great prime minister.
- by Tony Wright
Tony Wright’s Column
Publishing
Across much of western Victoria the local news, more than a century in the making, slips quietly away
The slow death of local, rural and regional newspapers continues. Portland, Hamilton and Casterton will lose their old and reliable newspapers by Christmas.
- by Tony Wright
Exclusive
Political leadership
‘I’ve evolved from factional operative’: Shorten says retirement is not retreat
Bill Shorten, for six years leader of the Labor Party before being denied the nation’s leadership, muses about life in politics and his future in academia.
- by Tony Wright
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/by/tony-wright-hve1u