In ancient days, when we had an ounce or two of decorum in public discourse, people would have thought it poor form to attack an appointee before she had taken up her position. 'Give her a chance,' they would have said. Not any more, sadly #mostyn

In an essay in The Monthly, Sean Kelly writes of the elevation in Australian politics of the superficial and the simple above the complex. And so it is with the media. We see it, hear it, read it daily and weekly #auspol #news themonthly.com.au/issue/2024/apr…

The end of the ute? Not on your life. Toyota and Isuzu have both announced plans to start making EV pickups (utes) next year. Toyota specifically says it will mass-produce its top-selling Hilux as an EV #FuelEfficiency bangkokpost.com/business/motor…

RIP to a legend of sports journalism.
Thoughts with his wife, Joy, and children, Phil and Katherine.

Stupid white bastard is a trivial insult. Anyone who takes offence at it automatically earns the title #SamKerr

This is totally payback for stumping Jonny Bairstow

Congratulations to Louise Milligan and the 4 Corners team on this rigorously researched, unsparing report on the noxious culture of one of Australia's most self-important schools. Blessings to the brave former teachers and students (and parents) who told their stories. Brilliant

There will be much analysis and commentary after the #DunkleyByelection but I hope one message rings loud and clear:

beating down on foreigners, spreading misinformation and racist tweets do not help you win an election

A Wikipedia article lists Sussan Ley as a Liberal Party moderate en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moderates…

Many people think David Speers is biased, and he probably is, but the bigger issue is that he is a lightweight who underestimates his audience. He is interested in superficial political analysis because he is incapable of delving deeply into policy #insiders #auspol

I watched Nemesis on ABC News iView last night, followed by Media Watch. It simply didn't occur to me to watch 7.30. I wonder why

Media Watch last night was first rate journalism - well-researched, cutting and gutsy. One of their very best episodes. Congratulations Paul Barry and team

The moment on last night's Nemesis that was most revealing about the nature of the Liberal Party came when Christopher Pyne said the party would not vote for Julie Bishop, an intelligent and accomplished woman, as leader - so he plotted to block her (and to back Morrison)

Lowitja O'Donoghue told author Stuart Rintoul: 'I decided that I wanted to be 'somebody'. That God had given me intelligence and that I was going to use it.'
theguardian.com/australia-news…

The Advance organisation was set up as a right-wing counter to GetUp! and it has worked for the conservatives. So what's happened to GetUp? Has it lost its punch?

I pay tribute to my friend and colleague Michael Egan who died last night relieved at last from the pain of a long illness. Superb Treasurer, authentic and funny raconteur, candid and trustworthy, committed to public service.

We, the undersigned, call for Australia to support the goal of détente - a genuine balance of power between the United States and China, designed to avert the horror of great power conflict and secure a lasting peace for our people, our region, and the world.

If Peter Dutton feels it necessary to tell us he is genuinely shocked to see Katharine Murphy taking a job in Anthony Albanese's office, it can only be because there are so many issues on which he is merely pretending to be shocked #auspol

All power to my ABC colleagues and @MEAA members for confronting the bias, cowardice and lack of support for journalists by ABC management. Good on ⁦John Lyons⁩. Brave and principled for such a senior journalist and former exec to speak out. smh.com.au/business/compa…

‘What was seen between 1996 & 2022, except for the period 2007-2013 when Labor was in office, was not episodic. It was systematic, sustained & ideological. The consequences are now being laid bare.’

True. What’s happening on this Michelle Rowland?

theconversation.com/antoinette-lat… #auspol