June 1, 2014
The people versus the political class
essay
The distance between us and our rulers is getting bigger
Richard Cooke
By this author
December 20, 2013
Let’s stop pretending the Liberal Party believes in free speech
blog
You'd need a heart of stone not to laugh at right-wing think-tanker Tim Wilson becoming a Human Rights Commissioner. Whatever the merits of his appointment, it’s an ace piece of industrial strength trolling by George Brandis, parachuting a culture warrior …
October 11, 2013
The Tea Party takes its medicine
blog
For the other countries of the first world, a US government shutdown is a real curiosity. It might even be exciting, if it wasn’t for the consequences. We all have political problems, but only America deals with them by becoming Somalia for a while. …
October 1, 2013
What Labor hasn’t learnt
nation_reviewed
The delusion continues post-election
September 19, 2013
A cabinet of sausages
blog
I once asked a right-wing poet (they exist) about the pitifully low number of female contributors published by conservative magazines. Why was it so? In response he took me on a long tour of the weak excuse department, trying everything from the historical …
July 30, 2013
Bogans and boat people (Pt 2)
blog
Read part 1 here Western Sydney and the shallows of abundance “We are a wealthy country” is a familiar phrase of entreaty in refugee advocacy. Implicit in it is an understanding, even if it’s an indirect one, …
July 25, 2013
Bogans and boat people (Pt1)
blog
The failure of the pro-refugee movement The Papua New Guinea solution marks the symbolic failure of the humanitarian case for refugee resettlement in Australia. More than a decade of persuasion, from the infographics posted on Facebook, …
July 12, 2013
So this is what it’s like to be English
blog
The Australian cricket team’s painful declension from the Invincibles to the Washington Generals has paused, thanks to Ashton Agar’s defiance. He might spark a comeback of fortunes, but for now Australian fans are still tasting something unfamiliar: …
June 28, 2013
Hunting Canberra’s Loch Ness Monster
Australian Politics
Today we know that a petition ended the political career of Julia Gillard. But we don’t know if the petition ever really existed. Even when this mysterious document was still being circulated no MP would say they had actually seen or signed it, …
July 1, 2013
NSA surveillance
Society
How the National Security Agency is undermining privacy and sovereignty
May 24, 2013
We Need to Fall Out of Love With Obama
blog
It’s hard to imagine the current scandals wreathing the White House will do much to dim the glowing image of Barack Obama over here. The fact various administration officials targeted political opponents with tax probes, spied on journalists and …
May 17, 2013
But The Australian is Elitist, Too
blog
David Flint must be kicking himself. Watching the debate started by Nick Cater’s book The Lucky Culture, among John Howard, Mark Latham, Janet Albrechtsen (and many, many more), he must have trouble shaking the feeling that he’s missed …