The High Court’s judgment in March 2025 in favour of the Gumatj people has reaffirmed the centrality of the Indigenous peoples of Gove in the Northern Territory in the native title revolution that was conceived in a case against mining company, Nabalco Ltd, in the 1960s and continued with the High Court’s Mabo and Wik Continue reading »
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The drug companies have bought both American political parties. They have not bought Australia. America’s pharmaceutical giants do not love the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. It costs them money. They’ve tried for decades to hobble the PBS or to knock the scheme over altogether. Each time they’ve failed. Now, with Donald Trump in the White House, Continue reading »
The shock waves continue from Columbia University’s capitulation to Trump administration demands that undermine its independence. The world is watching and waves are already crashing on Australia’s shores. New York’s Columbia University has long been a central site for student (and staff) protest. All the big issues of the day have seen action – from Continue reading »
I’ll begin with a reminder, for the Zionists in the audience, of what antisemitism is. I grew up surrounded by adults with blue numbers tattooed on their forearms. My primary school teacher relentlessly picked on the three Jewish kids in her class. My high school refused to discipline a girl who punched me in the Continue reading »
Peter Dutton does not really believe in Medicare. He is more interested in Trump-type culture wars than the health of Australians. He matched the $8.5 billion the Australian Government pledged for Medicare, not because he cared about the health of Australians but because it was a way to neutralise government Medicare policy. He refuses to Continue reading »
In its response to AUKUS with its objective of militarily confronting China in the South China Sea, we should not be surprised by Chinese naval vessels sailing around Australia to pick up some intelligence or at least showing us their growing naval power. For China, it would be a good training experience in new waters. Continue reading »
There is a certain cadence to decline, a rhythm of arrogance and desperation, of miscalculation and delusion. The late-stage empire, unmoored from reality yet clinging to myths of its own indispensability, lashes out at perceived threats not because they are real, but because it cannot conceive of a world in which it is no longer Continue reading »
I read the definition of antisemitism adopted by Australian universities and my first thought was “we need a list”, not of what is considered antisemitic, but of what is not considered antisemetic. Now it would be helpful to have a prescriptive list of what one can say about Israel without being smeared as an antisemite. Continue reading »
Social cohesion is supposedly the order of the day. Our rights are being steadily eroded in its honour. One would hardly imagine that a religious institution would host a political figure for whom fear and division are lifeblood. Yet, on Thursday, 20 February, Emanuel Synagogue hosted Peter Dutton. Dutton’s current shtick is weaponising antisemitism for Continue reading »
Two organisations representing Arab migrants in Australia have slammed ABC managing director David Anderson over his refusal to acknowledge the existence of a Lebanese race during the ongoing Federal Court trial between broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf and the national broadcaster. The Australian Lebanese Association said on Friday Anderson’s statement was “deeply disappointing” and harmed social cohesion. Continue reading »