politics

Created
Sat, 06/01/2024 - 04:56
“In general, it’s hard to prove an intention of genocide because no public statements to that effect are made during the fighting,” said one expert. “But these irresponsible statements about erasing Gaza will require Israel to explain why they don’t reflect such an intention.” Top officials in the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli government have Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 06/01/2024 - 04:56
It points to automatic obedience rather than to good citizenship. The army is trashing an entire region along with its residents, and that doesn’t bother our forces’ consciences. Nobody stood up. So far, as far as is known, not even one case of disobedience has been registered in the IDF since the war broke out, Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 06/01/2024 - 04:57
America is Australia’s “great and powerful friend” so it matters a great deal how reliable our firmest strategic partner is. Is the US heading for a degree of political dysfunction that could blow back into its steadfastness as a leading player and an Australian ally in a multipolar Indo-Pacific? In this series, Roger Beale explores Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 06/01/2024 - 04:58
Is climate change a myth? To use a little old-fashioned English slang, not on your nelly. Every New Year, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology publishes on its website a measure of Australia’s climate change. Its formal name is “Annual mean temperature anomaly Australia (1910-2023)” but it is a simple blue and red graphic, with blue Continue reading »
Created
Fri, 05/01/2024 - 04:50
The broadcaster’s response to my editing of international news stories amounted to a show trial, reflecting a malaise within mainstream media. In this tumultuous time of war and global conflict the ability of journalists to do their jobs effectively within mainstream media has never been more limited. We live in a time of state surveillance Continue reading »
Created
Fri, 05/01/2024 - 04:53
In recent years a growing number of Australians have lost confidence in their system of governance, but few journalists and political theory academics have suggested alternatives. If Australia is to improve its governance system and its democracy, it should look to European alternatives. The Australian system of governance is usually described as “Westminster”. This includes Continue reading »
Created
Fri, 05/01/2024 - 04:54
Following the release of the 2022-23 Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) report on private health insurers, I wrote in mid-November that the financial health of the sector was so robust there was no case for the Minister to approve a premium increase. I also argued that given high and increasing levels of reserves, now was Continue reading »