In 2024 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, the grassroots collective of Hibakusha and Hibakusha Nisei (first and second generation surviving the atomic bombs). Since forming in 1956, they have urged governments globally to free the earth from weapons of mass destruction, while lobbying for trees, fish, cats, birds and all of Continue reading »
politics
International Student activists succeeded in passing anti-transport discrimination motions at Transport Minister Jo Haylen’s Summer Hill Branch. Continue reading »
Since the dawn of neoliberal policy time, at the start of the 1980s, the idea that the population must suffer short-term pain for the sake of longer-term gain has been frequently stated by government and senior public servants. It has been put again and again and still yet again, in recent times, by Reserve Bank Continue reading »
Pope Francis has called upon Church authorities to cooperate with civil authorities in relation to child sexual abuse by Church personnel. When it comes to the Vatican cooperating, it is a different story. Continue reading »
Despite claims to the contrary, Australia is not a well governed country. At all levels of politics, in businesses large and small, and in the wider society, governance systems right across the country have been hollowed-out. The term governance refers to how institutions that have varying degrees of power over us actually exercise that power. Continue reading »
With the active support of Prince Charles, now King Charles, John Kerr planned the dismissal of Gough Whitlam in 1975. In early spring 1975 in the New Guinea highlands, the Governor General, Sir John Kerr sidled up to Prince Charles and suggested a quiet chat. Their topic? The possible dismissal of the Prime Minister. Prince Continue reading »
Senior political office is a hazardous place where job security can be fortuitous. A few jump before things sour although the temptations to hang on are strong and the ends for those who do are often fraught with bitterness, anger and recrimination. This stew may be more risky now for Prime Ministers as politics has Continue reading »
“Our language shouldn’t be designed to appease the oppressor.” Steve Salaita Not “war in Gaza”. A war on Gaza. Not “lives lost”. Mass killing and mutilation of civilians. Not “self-defence”. A war on children. Snipers’ bullets in children’s heads. Not “a tragic conflict”. Genocidal erasure of Gaza and its people. Not defending “Israel’s right to Continue reading »
Israel announces the ‘elimination’ of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Palestinians react to the reports, Netanyahu declares the war is not over yet, PM Albanese denounces Sinwar as a terrorist and Mary Kostakidis shares an interview of Sinwar, reminding us it is important to hear what they have to say. Unicef’s James Elder talks with Christiane Continue reading »