Pearls and Irritations https://preview.johnmenadue.com/ Public policy journal Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:03:21 +1000 en-AU hourly 1 Hugo 0.158.0 https://preview.johnmenadue.com/favicon.png Pearls and Irritations https://preview.johnmenadue.com/ 32 32 The return of great power relations: a world of bounded orders – Part 2 https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/the-return-of-great-power-relations-a-world-of-bounded-orders-part-2/ Geoff Raby Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:30:54 +1000 China Politics USA World https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/the-return-of-great-power-relations-a-world-of-bounded-orders-part-2 In the second part of his piece for the Foreign Policy Rethink series, Geoff Raby examines how China is constructing a competing global order and reshaping the institutions that underpin international relations. Poorly designed campaign finance laws weaken our democracy https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/poorly-designed-campaign-finance-laws-weaken-our-democracy/ Simon Holmes à Court Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:25:11 +1000 Politics https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/poorly-designed-campaign-finance-laws-weaken-our-democracy The High Court’s ruling on Victoria’s electoral laws shows how poorly designed campaign finance rules can undermine both fairness and the reforms they were meant to achieve. The forgotten war Australia would rather not remember https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/australias-military-occupation-of-new-guinea-1914-1921/ Paddy Gourley Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:10:56 +1000 Review Politics https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/australias-military-occupation-of-new-guinea-1914-1921 Michael Piggott's 'New Feller Master: Beyond the Trenches Australia’s Neglected WWI Story', details Australia’s occupation of New Guinea and challenges familiar national narratives – confronting uncomfortable truths about power, race and legacy. Lovin’ democracy? You’re probably doing all right, then https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/lovin-democracy-youre-probably-doing-all-right-then/ Ross Gittins Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:05:03 +1000 Politics https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/lovin-democracy-youre-probably-doing-all-right-then Australia remains one of the world’s stronger democracies, but rising economic stress and inequality are shaping how people feel about it. Tune in, turn on, and drop out: the case for legalising psychedelics is stronger than ever https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/tune-in-turn-on-and-drop-out-the-case-for-legalising-psychedelics-is-stronger-than-ever/ Greg Barns Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:00:07 +1000 Health Policy Politics https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/tune-in-turn-on-and-drop-out-the-case-for-legalising-psychedelics-is-stronger-than-ever Decades of prohibition have failed to stop psychedelic drug use while blocking research and treatment options, raising questions about the basis of current laws. Non-discrimination is a core Australian value. We must defend it https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/non-discrimination-is-a-core-australian-value-we-must-defend-it/ Steph Cousins Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:45:42 +1000 Immigration Policy Politics https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/non-discrimination-is-a-core-australian-value-we-must-defend-it Policies which link migration to “values” undermine a fundamental principle of Australia’s immigration system – fairness without discrimination. Tehran demands hundreds of billions in reparations. Guess who will pay? https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/tehran-demands-hundreds-of-billions-in-reparations-who-will-pay/ Eugene Doyle Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:30:09 +1000 Politics USA World https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/tehran-demands-hundreds-of-billions-in-reparations-who-will-pay If Iran succeeds in extracting reparations for the US–Israeli war, it would mark an historic shift in how power and accountability operate in the international system. The return of great power relations: What can middle powers do? Part 1 https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/the-return-of-great-power-relations-what-can-middle-powers-do-part-1/ Geoff Raby Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:59:37 +1000 Politics USA World https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/the-return-of-great-power-relations-what-can-middle-powers-do-part-1 As part of the Foreign Policy Rethink series, Geoff Raby examines how Trump’s shift to great power politics is reshaping the global order and forcing middle powers to rethink their strategy. A prime-time hit job on renewables falls apart under basic facts https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/a-prime-time-hit-job-on-renewables-falls-apart-under-basic-facts/ Giles Parkinson Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:54:23 +1000 Climate Media Politics https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/a-prime-time-hit-job-on-renewables-falls-apart-under-basic-facts Spotlight's TV report on renewables and EVs collapses under basic fact-checking, highlighting how misinformation is shaping Australia’s energy debate. The diesel shock shows why government must help freight electrify https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/the-diesel-shock-shows-why-government-must-help-freight-electrify/ Bruce Hardy Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:49:11 +1000 Politics https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/the-diesel-shock-shows-why-government-must-help-freight-electrify As diesel prices surge, freight operators face mounting pressure, highlighting the urgent need for immediate support and a longer-term shift to electrified transport.