The Mocker

The Mocker amuses himself by calling out poseurs, sneering social commentators, and po-faced officials. He is deeply suspicious of those who seek increased regulation of speech and behaviour. Believing that journalism is dominated by idealists and activists, he likes to provide a realist’s perspective of politics and current affairs.

@Oz_Mocker

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NCA Newswire Photos - APRIL 06, 2023: Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese addresses the media at the Wild Life Sydney Zoo. Picture: NCA Newswire / Christian Gilles

Don’t confuse ‘legally sound’ for logically sound on voice

The shenanigans over the proposed Indigenous voice provide a fascinating case study of how to, or how not to, make the case for constitutional change.

The Mocker

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Senior Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin of the Kulin Nation delivers a Welcome to Country before the round one AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium, on March 19, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Spare me this modern ritual of minority obeisance

Welcome to Country rituals apparently have been performed for millennia, but they’re remarkably adaptive to Western rent-seeking practices.

The Mocker

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Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe is manhandled after attempting to disrupt British anti-transgender rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker at a Ã¢â¬ÅLet Womaen SpeakÃ¢â¬Â anti trans rally outside Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, March 23, 2023. (AAP Image/Michelle Haywood) NO ARCHIVING

Thorpe plays victim while flaunting privilege

Lidia Thorpe has used her senate platform to silence opponents and stoke division, while taking cheap shots at fellow parliamentarians, Indigenous leaders and law enforcement.

The Mocker

COMMENTARYPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 13, 2023: Former Prime Minister, Dr Kevin Rudd at the National Apology Anniversary breakfast. The National Apology Anniversary breakfast with survivors of the Stolen Generations In the Great Hall, Parliament House Canberra.Speakers include:Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles,Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney; Former Prime Minister, Dr Kevin RuddTJ Mia, Noongar Elder & Member of the Stolen Generations;and Michael McLeod, Chair Message Stick Group.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Ambassador Rudd an attempt to secure a loose cannon

Given Kevin Rudd’s fervent belief he was wrongfully denied a nomination for UN secretary-general, he would regard his present position nothing more than a sop.

The Mocker

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe takes part march from Parliament House to Flinder's Street Station during the Treaty Before Voice Invasion Day Protest on January 26, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. Australia Day, formerly known as Foundation Day, is the official national day of Australia and is celebrated annually on January 26 to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet to Sydney in 1788. Many indigenous Australians refer to the day as 'Invasion Day' and there is a growing movement to change the date to one which can be celebrated by all Australians. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Australians against the Indigenous voice to parliament? No shock

A recent Newspoll revealed 38 per cent, or 9.9 million Australians, would vote ‘no’ in the upcoming Indigenous voice to parliament referendum. It should come as no surprise.

The Mocker

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EMBARGO FOR WISH MAGAZINE 03 FEBRUARY 2023. FEE MAY APPLY. Radio presenter, current affairs journalist and political correspondent, Fran Kelly hosts the ABC Radio National program RN Breakfast with Patricia Karvelas. Pictured in Sydney Monday 9 January, 2023. Photo: WISH MAGAZINE /Nic Walker

‘No’ limit to ABC impartiality

It’s easy to imagine how the ABC’s stable of activist broadcasters will take to sessions on balance over the voice referendum …

The Mocker

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CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 16, 2023: Treasurer Jim Chalmers during a press conference in Parliament House in Canberra.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Why I owe Jim Chalmers an apology after superannuation tax changes

Jim Chalmers is a visionary. Initially I was unconvinced of the genius he demonstrated in his 6000-word essay. But the Treasurer is not merely prescient: he is a prophet, albeit a self-fulfilling one.

The Mocker

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Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loompas from film 'Charlie and The Chocolate Factory'.

Willy Wonka’s carbon neutral, vegan chocolate factory

The real ‘problem’ with Roald Dahl is he’s a dead white male whose books remain hugely popular. It’s a progressive conundrum in the literary world.

The Mocker

COMMENTARYCommentary

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 07: Senator Lidia Thorpe at Parliament House on February 07, 2023 in Canberra, Australia. The political year intensified in Canberra with focus expected on the debate around the Voice to Parliament, a referendum that would create a mechanism for Indigenous people to advise Parliament on policies that affect their lives. (Photo by Martin Ollman/Getty Images)

Lidia Thorpe takes the Greens — and her supporters — for a ride

Members of the Gullible Nation donated to her campaign, handed out pamphlets and threw little goat cheese soirées. Only after the election did Lidia Thorpe reveal her real purpose.

The Mocker

COMMENTARYCommentary

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 8, 2023: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the UN Women Australia International Women's Day Parliamentary Breakfast and then spoke to the media, in Parliament House Canberra.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Albanese protects your right not to know on voice

We must be alert to those among us who resist what is a modest proposal to enshrine identity politics in our constitution.

The Mocker

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/the-mocker/page/7