Why does a government release a highly critical report on the conduct of Woolworths and Coles on the Friday before a budget that will lead straight into an election campaign? Short answer: not for any worthy reason. One worthy reason could have been to show Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers really wanted to do Continue reading »
politics
Since the Trump administration took the reins in the United States and its actions have heralded in a bold new uncertain order, long-term calls for Australia to pull out of AUKUS have been gaining traction. Yet, a recent development in the Northern Territory suggests that, as the US now operates of its accord on this Continue reading »
The Rockliff Government’s financial mess in Tasmania has been well explained by economist Saul Eslake, independent MLC Ruth Forrest, and others paying attention. It is now canvassing the sale of government assets in a desperate attempt to copy the errors of other governments rather than address causes. State governments have an obvious financial constraint governed Continue reading »
Israel has begun the final stage of its genocide. The Palestinians will be forced to choose between death or deportation. There are no other options. This is the last chapter of the genocide. It is the final, blood-soaked push to drive the Palestinians from Gaza. No food. No medicine. No shelter. No clean water. No Continue reading »
DOGE claims it’s not an “agency” that has to comply with FOIA. We don’t buy it — and so far judges haven’t, either.
The post DOGE Keeps Trying to Dodge the Freedom of Information Act. So We’re Suing. appeared first on The Intercept.
The passing of the Early Childhood Education and Care (Three-Day Guarantee) Bill 2025 marks a major shift in Australia’s early childhood education and care system. For the first time, tens of thousands of children who were previously excluded from early learning will have access to at least three days of subsidised care each week (72 Continue reading »
I recently read Jerry Grey’s 8 March 2025 article and I was disappointed by the false and misleading statements made. I would like to participate in the exchange of ideas in a way that, I hope, will better inform your readers. Readers and subscribers of Pearls and Irritations trust that contributors are experienced analysts, but Continue reading »
Can any self-respecting journalist or political commentator inform me and many Australians as to why they continue to bolster the Australia/United States togetherness as though it is the same relationship of years past? The United States is not a friend – it is increasingly becoming a pariah state, joining its very best friend, Israel. Surely Continue reading »
What does it take to build peace in Australia and the world today? This is a question that has occupied the minds of a group of peace practitioners and activists in the network “Raising Peace”. Concerned with a seemingly unstoppable acceptance of war and the downplaying of peace in public discourse, over the last few Continue reading »
As both the actively enabled genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the sanctioning of those who protest it continue, the associated psychological challenges likewise continue unabated. It is not only the international `rules-based’ order which is subverted (with all the political, legal, social, and economic dimensions that entails). When any pretence to a moral order Continue reading »