Commentary
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Why cashed-up Labor refuses to stand up to the CFMEU and Cbus
Following the money is a useful guide to understanding what is going on in the public square. The revelations about the CFMEU and Cbus are really the tip of the iceberg.
Is Marilynne Robinson the greatest Christian novelist of the 21st century?
The American essayist and academic published Gilead in 2004. It won the Pulitzer Prize, an astonishing outcome, given its subject: a dying pastor’s letter to his son. It is perhaps the best novel I’ve read.
Deeming backflip surely the last straw for weak Pesutto
Scared for his own leadership, John Pesutto now wants Moira Deeming back in the party room. His calling for another meeting to enable that vote smacks of putrid desperation. He must be bereft of principles.
Time for a fresh start in Victoria
Unless they can sort out their own internal divisions, the Victorian Liberals will not be the potent force they need to be. And voters will continue to be the biggest losers.
From history to memoir, the must-reads of 2025
In 2025, a year for state and federal elections, many notable books will be published that you should list now for future reading.
Howzat! Behind DAZN’s quest to become Netflix of sport
The UK sports streaming operator has big plans for the way the world watches sport – and Foxtel is set to become a key part of this.
Spirit of hope and renewal the season’s true message
That spirit is alive in Bethlehem, where an enterprise of traditional handmade glass decorations – ‘handblown by Muslims, painted by Christians, shipped by Israel’ – is thriving. Merry Christmas, Hanukkah Sameach and happy holidays to all.
Big spending on energy and housing has its risks
Economic benefits of infrastructure must outweigh cost to taxpayers.
Cash splash a missed opportunity
Solomons send Canberra on a merry Christmas dance over funding.
Nuclear debate ultimately to revolve around rising demand
Electricity supply has become a highly political issue, and when politics take centre stage emotions often overshadow rational decision-making.
Victorian Libs should be looking at landslide but instead they are convulsed in turmoil
Labor angst at the Coalition’s recovery in the polls should be tempered by the knowledge that the weight of lead in Peter Dutton’s saddlebags continues to grow.
Last Post: Victorian Libs, drovers dogs, and knowing when your turkey is cooked
A drover’s dog could probably win the next Victorian state election, but I’m not sure about John Pesutto.
Feeding the Chooks
Crisafulli’s night of the long knives looms for Labor luvvies
David Crisafulli is preparing to axe Labor luvvies from government boards, while Peter Dutton’s own MPs were kept in the dark on the federal Opposition Leader’s nuclear nuts and bolts.
Albo’s bloke faces battle for Blair
Will Anthony Albanese’s decision to save a Queensland MP from gender quotas come back to bite him, as the LNP prepare to preselect a woman to contest the federal seat? And who is state Labor’s new comrade in chief?
‘White hot rage’ spreads in LNP circles over judicial appointment
LNP politicians have been caught badmouthing their colleague’s speech; ‘white hot rage’ spreads over new Attorney-General Deb Frecklington’s first judicial appointment.
Abortion formally off the table for LNP state council meeting
Internal unease about the LNP’s handling of the thorny issue of abortion during the Queensland election campaign will be kept off the formal agenda at this weekend’s state council meeting. But make no mistake, it’ll be talked about.
Nation’s banks must do much more for small businesses
Running a small business in Australia is tough, fraught with risk and close to half of them fail within the first three years. So what can be done to help them?
Retailers face tough times but consumers are starting to spend
Retail performance has long been a bellwether for our economy, and this year’s Christmas and peak trading period have never been more crucial for Australian retailers.
Trump’s no lame duck – he’s already getting things done
News from the US suggests that president-elect Donald J. Trump is perceived by many to be the US commander-in-chief while President Joe Biden fades into political nothingness.
Why Ireland’s ‘new morality’ thrives on Israelophobia
In Ireland, secular progressivism has become the prevailing orthodoxy, as it goes through its second generation of anti-Catholicism. Israel has fallen foul of it. The deeply entwined roots of Irish and Jewish nationalism have been ripped out by a new political class.
‘Gunna-do’ PM’s grandiose plans vanish in the wind
The Future Made in Australia plan was never about creating jobs any more than the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act was designed to control the cost of living. The primary goal of these Orwellian-named schemes is to misallocate public funds to dubious projects to tackle climate change.
Make no mistake, command and control will crush ASPI’s independence
It makes zero sense that the Australian government would narrow rather than expand Australia’s options for engaging with Washington when the US is moving into a new Trump administration that will bring challenges for the Australian bureaucracy.
Mad situation in mental health
Mental health spending priorities are all wrong.
It’s time; Pesutto urged to resign for sake of the state
John Pesutto launched a Hail Mary bid to save his leadership on Sunday – but it’s too late.
‘Laughing stock’: ASX jumping from one crisis to the next
Problems of this magnitude – threats to the operation and integrity of our financial markets – require leadership and an understanding of the knock-on effects for stockbrokers and end investors.
Jury out on Coalition’s nuclear plan
The choice between renewable energy and nuclear power is clear. But how to decide?
Menopause and perimenopause – cutting through the hype
This discussion is now at the forefront of women’s health, and a whole-of-society approach is recommended to destigmatise this naturally occurring life event.
Breathe easy over think tank review, the sky’s not falling
Breathless accounts that my review of think tanks has killed independent analysis and muzzled free thought are, quite simply, wrong. Let’s deal with the facts.
Since when is it not OK for a Catholic university to have a Catholic identity?
It is hard to speak up at times like this. The church is like a family. But what has been taking place at ACU is a travesty. Without intervention, the university will be stripped of its Catholic title.
My friend and ally in a world hijacked by the woke left
Michael Leunig often laughed as he drew, as if Mr Curly’s ducks and humble triumph were emerging on the page by surprise. Working alongside him, in a room full of cartoonists, was awesome.
Bali Nine criminals not rock stars
The big message must never be lost. That is that there is nothing glamorous about drugs or jail – just broken dreams and wasted lives.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary